Video - Are Costco Fruit Trees any Good

The fruit trees have arrived in Costco, but are they any good? That's the question I answer in this video. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Video - 15 California Natives in Bloom

 

California native plants are great for gardens here in the golden state because they are drought tolerant, low maintenance, forgiving of bad soil and attract a wide array of wildlife. Here are 15 in bloom. There is a list of the plants below in this description. Here are some links to buy these plants; California Poppy https://amzn.to/3pZRCnU Monkey Flower https://amzn.to/2Yhy1Eg Showy Penstemon https://amzn.to/3EGvR0r Matilija Poppy https://amzn.to/3BKhiHo https://amzn.to/3SmBOrz https://amzn.to/3osnxyK https://amzn.to/3okmDo5 Cleveland Sage https://amzn.to/3ER3xte Ceanothus https://amzn.to/3GPpQjR https://amzn.to/3k0Magv Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Video - How to install artificial turf

 

Are you tired of that old weed infested lawn? Between all the water and maintenance, an artificial turf lawn will pay for itself in about 5 years. Here's how to install an artificial turf lawn. The turf seen in this video is Turf Pro 84.

HERE ARE THE STEPS 1) Remove the old turf 2) Excavated to 4" below final grade 3) Lay 2" of sub base like class 2 road base and compact it 4) Lay 1/2" of base like leveling sand and broom it flat 5) Roll out the artificial turf 6) Do a rough cut of the perimeter, make sure to leave an excess of 4 to 5 inches. 7) Start at one corner and using nails and a turf grabber, begin securing the turf. Install 5 inch nails every 8 - 12 inches on the perimeter (4 - 6 inches on the seam). Continue using the turf grabber as you nail to remove wrinkles in the turf. 8) When you reach the opposite side, do your final cut, stretch with the turf grabber and nail. 9) Hand toss the infill (use a pet odor infill if you have a dog). 1 - 2 pounds per square foot of turf. 10) Use a Power Broom (a cool toy) to drive the infill into the turf. Note, this will also scatter some of the infill everywhere so keep small children and pets inside. Wear a mask when working with this material. 11) Use a power blower to blow the dust off the turf and drive the infill deep into the turf. 12) Hose down the turf to settle the dust and wash infill deep into the turf. 13) Sweep up any excess infill that is laying around. 14) RELEASE THE DOGS (AND KIDS)!!

Video - A Tale of 2 Rescue Dogs

 

For my 500th video here's the story of my 2 rescue dogs. The first one came to us via a rescue agency, California Labs and More. The 2nd dog I rescued off of the freeway after she escaped abandonment in a rattlesnake infested canyon. If you are thinking about getting a dog, please consider a local rescue agency. Make sure to talk to them about which dog is right for you and your life style. Go for the best fit, not just the cutest dog. You will be glad you did. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Video - Where do Ladybugs come from

Ladybugs are one of the most enchanting insects in our world. This video shows the development stages of this wonderful little bug, from egg to larvae to pupa to adult. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Video - How to secure your yard against rabbits, gophers and snakes

 

Sometimes the wildlife around us can really wreck our garden. Rabbits, gophers and rats can slip through the smallest of cracks in fences. This video shows you how to install 1/2" opening galvanized metal hardware cloth as a defense on the perimeter against those pests as well as the snakes that follow them. Here is a great link for more info on what to do if you find a snake. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-snakes#:~:text=In%20many%20places%2C%20you%20can,are%20critical%20to%20their%20survival. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photo - Short CMU block wall with flat cap

 

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

taken at a client's residence in San Diego

 

Video - How to do a new concrete driveway with some color

 

Here is how a standard concrete driveway in done from start to finish. We used a Top Cast finish and a colored concrete from Davis Colors called Palomino. This video was shot in San Diego, California. Thank you to Unique Landscaping and Cabrera Concrete for their help in this video. Looking for more pathway and driveway ideas? Check out these books; https://amzn.to/3ixeAhM https://amzn.to/3DepGjk Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Video - An Affordable Shade Structure Kit

Here's an affordable way to bring shade to your patio. The Yardistry Gazebo is a shade structure kit and sells for about $2,000 to $4,000 depending on size and features. It is a wood gazebo with a metal roof. Costco sometimes has it for only $1,500. For more information check out the links below; https://amzn.to/3WHMkO5 https://amzn.to/3K0KErl https://www.yardistrystructures.com/shop/ https://www.costco.com/yardistry-12'-x-20'-cedar-gazebo-with-aluminum-roof.product.100703414.html Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Video - It's Snake Season

 

Across American, snakes are everywhere. Thanks to Harry Potter, snakes have become even more vilified. But snakes serve a valuable part of our ecosystem because they control the rat population. This video discusses what do if you find a snake. Here are links to the tools in the video; Warning: if you are unsure of yourself, call a professional. Here is the link for the shovel; https://amzn.to/3apoFc0 This is a good grabber for snake handling; https://amzn.to/4bvG4Oh Here is a great link for more info on what to do if you find a snake. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-snakes#:~:text=In%20many%20places%2C%20you%20can,are%20critical%20to%20their%20survival. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Video - Flower ideas for a Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mother's Day! Here are some of the flowers I grow to create a cut flower arrangement for my wife and my mom.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photo - Small Pool

 

This small pool measures 14' x 22' with a built in hot tub.

Photos taken by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

 

 

Video - Plants and tips for creating a butterfly garden

 

Butterflies are everywhere so how do you bring them into your garden. Here are some tips and great plants to turn your garden into a butterfly sanctuary. Here are the 20 plants in the video and where to buy them; PERENNIALS Yarrow https://amzn.to/3UzmFVd Scabiosa https://amzn.to/3UC4rCl Rose Scented Geranium https://amzn.to/3JWk1UC Butterfly Bush https://amzn.to/3JVmDlv Shasta Daisy https://amzn.to/3USA2B6 Santa Barbara Daisy https://amzn.to/3QDzNaI Asclepias aka Milkweed (The #1 most important plant) https://amzn.to/3URlsdk https://amzn.to/4bcSdY1 Matilla Poppy https://amzn.to/4bxR0u2 Blanket Flower https://amzn.to/3UUQeCa Coreopsis https://amzn.to/3Wx1TYP Lavender Cotton https://amzn.to/4dr0dGm ANNUALS Marigold https://amzn.to/3WB6R6R Sweet Alyssum https://amzn.to/4a8WQkE Floss Flower https://amzn.to/4ae1FZR Cosmos https://amzn.to/44AjmBD Hollyhock https://amzn.to/4bgDCLd SHRUBS Lantana https://amzn.to/44ztvyE Hebe https://amzn.to/3ydYtQG Ceanothus https://amzn.to/3ye3HMo TREES Vitex Tree aka Chaste Tree https://amzn.to/4dyxyze VINES Passion Flower Vine https://amzn.to/3ylt92m BUTTERFLY SEED MIX https://amzn.to/44AjtNz https://amzn.to/44RGmMV https://amzn.to/4dyxLT2 Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Video - How to build a brick patio

Here is how to build a brick patio from start to finish. We used brick from Pacific Clay Products. The color is called 'Manufactured Used White'. The bricks were set in a basket weave pattern. Here is more info on the bricks we used. https://www.pacificclay.com/product/pavers Looking for more patio ideas? Check out these books; https://amzn.to/3ixeAhM https://amzn.to/3DepGjk Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Video - San Clemente Beach Trail Day trip with my dogs

 

I am always on the hunt for fun day trips to do with my wife and dogs. Here is a recent gem. The San Clemente Beach trail. This 2.1 trail (from North Beach to South Beach) is a flat and easy trail right on the coast. With plenty of bathrooms and trash cans, the beach trail is perfect for dogs. Also, check out Asada Restaurant at the San Clemente Outlet Center, only a mile away from North Beach. This Mexican restaurant has great food and a dog patio. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design