Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Video - 25 Amazing Plants That Bring Bees and Butterflies to Your Garden

 
Doug discusses how to start a pollinator garden and attract pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. He also shares tips on gardening for beginners and how to create a butterfly garden. Learn how to create a garden biodiversity to help support your local pollinator population. Here are my favorite plants for attracting butterflies, bees & hummingbirds and where to buy them. PERENNIALS Yarrow https://amzn.to/3UzmFVd Bee Balm https://amzn.to/4f2h4QZ https://amzn.to/4f4R9Z9 Foxglove https://amzn.to/3BqBo9k Cuphea https://amzn.to/4mzZ1Ej Scabiosa https://amzn.to/3UC4rCl Butterfly Bush https://amzn.to/3JVmDlv Shasta Daisy https://amzn.to/3USA2B6 Asclepias aka Milkweed (The #1 most important plant) https://amzn.to/3URlsdk https://amzn.to/4bcSdY1 Blanket Flower https://amzn.to/3UUQeCa Coreopsis https://amzn.to/3Wx1TYP Monkey Flower https://amzn.to/2Yhy1Eg Mexican Bush Sage https://amzn.to/2YMfL60 Penstemon https://amzn.to/3EGvR0r Pineapple Sage https://amzn.to/3pHDfED Russian Sage https://amzn.to/3ksp96P Calandrinia https://amzn.to/3Hkswey Autumn Sage https://amzn.to/3mdmCNR Lavender https://amzn.to/4mwnoTi Rosemary https://amzn.to/45tntjL ANNUALS Sunflowers https://amzn.to/3UU4mun Sweet Alyssum https://amzn.to/4a8WQkE Floss Flower https://amzn.to/4ae1FZR Cosmos https://amzn.to/44AjmBD SHRUBS Lantana https://amzn.to/44ztvyE Bottle Brush https://amzn.to/45Kpc5D Cape Honeysuckle https://amzn.to/3vRBzt3 TREES Vitex Tree aka Chaste Tree https://amzn.to/4dyxyze VINES Passion Flower Vine https://amzn.to/3ylt92m Trumpet vine https://amzn.to/3beWD3r BUTTERFLY SEED MIX https://amzn.to/44AjtNz https://amzn.to/44RGmMV https://amzn.to/4dyxLT2 Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Monday, August 11, 2025

Video - How To Make Old Pavers Look Brand New!

 

Doug demonstrates the appropriate steps for properly cleaning old or stained pavers and making them look new again. This video also covers the process of paver sealing to protect your pavers from the elements. Ensuring proper paver maintenance will keep your patio and garden pathways looking great for years to come! Looking for more patio ideas? Check out these books; https://amzn.to/3ixeAhM https://amzn.to/3DepGjk Here's more info on Techniseal Paver Care products; https://techniseal.com/pro_en_us/all/paver-care Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design For more information about my San Diego based landscape design services, please contact me at Kalal5@sbcglobal.net

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Video - Dog-Friendly Backyard Makeover You Have to See!

 

Doug tackles a backyard remodel for a couple with a small dog, resolving drainage solutions and privacy concerns. By incorporating artificial turf grass and strategic landscaping, the space is made more functional and visually appealing. This project shows how effective landscape design can improve a yard. Doug also shows the step by step installation of an artificial turf, perfect for small dogs. 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 For more information about my San Diego based landscape design services, please contact me at Kalal5@sbcglobal.net

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Video - Watch a Monarch Butterfly Grow From Egg to Adult!

 

Doug is back from vacation to show the amazing monarch butterfly's life cycle, from caterpillar to butterfly. Learn about this insect's complete metamorphosis and how they grow and change. Plant milkweed in your garden to attract these wildlife pollinators! The Monarch Butterfly is one of the most treasured insects in the Western United States. Here is the complete life cycle of this pretty little visitor. From egg to butterfly, the Monarch takes 4 to 6 weeks to complete the transformation. See below for a list of butterfly plants and where to buy them. Here are my favorite plants for attracting butterflies Sweet Alyssum https://amzn.to/3EApTAu Floss Flower https://amzn.to/3m4FvG0 Shasta Daisy https://amzn.to/3ZiLi9i https://amzn.to/3SmXe7S Yarrow https://amzn.to/3KCf7h1 https://amzn.to/3ZgdU37 Butterfly Bush https://amzn.to/3IsqXYp Matilija poppy https://amzn.to/3SmBOrz Milkweed (Asclepias) https://amzn.to/3YSV56e https://amzn.to/3xP2lnW Bee Balm https://amzn.to/4f2h4QZ https://amzn.to/4f4R9Z9 https://amzn.to/418bSVW Hollyhocks https://amzn.to/3XZtsHr Scabiosa https://amzn.to/3SrW5Mj Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design For more information about my San Diego based landscape design services please email me at kalal5@sbcglobal.net.

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Video - See 6 Backyard Makeovers in Just 3 Minutes!

 

Doug showcases a rapid tour of landscape construction sites, highlighting a pool build in progress. He also shares insights on shade structures, backyard renovation, and flagstone patio design. This fast-paced video offers a glimpse into hardscaping and various stages of landscape design. The construction tour continues as I check on 6 projects I designed. This video was shot in San Diego, California. Looking for more patio ideas? Check out these books; https://amzn.to/3ixeAhM https://amzn.to/3DepGjk https://amzn.to/3lwOmxK Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design For more information about my San Diego based landscape design services, please contact me at Kalal5@sbcglobal.net

Sunday, August 3, 2025

Video - See This Easy Trick to Fix Rainwater Problems in Your Yard!

 
Doug demonstrates how to construct a functional and visually appealing dry creek bed. This sustainable gardening project is an excellent drainage solutions. Using a dry creek bed can also help with slope erosion by diverting rainwater. Dry Stream Beds are great for serving as a focal point and for diverting rain water when needed. This video will show you several examples and how one is built. Here are some of the cool rocks you see in the video; https://amzn.to/3ATAHFc https://amzn.to/3aMCgKE https://amzn.to/3n65kCD https://amzn.to/3BSM5T1 Here are some books to give you more ideas on patios. https://amzn.to/3ixeAhM https://amzn.to/3DepGjk https://amzn.to/3lwOmxK Thank you to Unique Landscaping for their assistance in this video. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design For more information about my San Diego based landscape design services, please contact me at Kalal5@sbcglobal.net

Friday, August 1, 2025

Video - 10 Rosemary Types You Need For Your Garden!

 

Doug shares his knowledge of his ten favorite rosemaries, noting that it's a versatile plant for any landscape enthusiast. Rosemary is great for pots, cooking, and even helps the bees, making it perfect for your garden. It also acts as a rabbit resistant plant, keeping those critters away! Rosemary is one of the most versatile plants in a garden. Here are my 10 favorite Rosemary varieties. Want some Rosemary for your garden? Click on the links below for some different types; https://amzn.to/3SxizO9 https://amzn.to/3FQOSzH https://amzn.to/47g7gxD https://amzn.to/472OLgz https://amzn.to/3tZljcF Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Video - Backyard Remodel Ideas for Awesome Parties including a Wedding!


Check out this small backyard remodel, perfect for outdoor entertaining with a curving kitchen and artificial turf! This backyard makeover transforms a segmented space into a party-ready area. The client wanted a wonderful social space, and this design delivers with great backyard ideas! Halfway through construction we were surprised when the client decided to host a wedding, ceremony and reception, in the backyard. See how we pulled it off! Do you have a small backyard that needs a remodel? This series will show you a dozen different ideas of what to do with a small backyard. This one features a new backyard entertaining area with a large outdoor kitchen and an artificial turf area for their dog. 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 For more information about my San Diego based landscape design services, please contact me at Kalal5@sbcglobal.net

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Video - Which Rose Is the Prettiest? Hybrid Tea vs Floribunda Showdown!

 

Doug discusses the differences between hybrid tea roses and floribunda roses, offering great gardening tips. He shows off several rose varieties comparing their qualities and bloom patterns. Learn about rose gardening with this quick guide! This video will explain all the differences as well as show 20 popular varieties. All the plants in this video are listed below. Want some of these roses in your garden? These 10 roses are available right now via the links below. Double Delight hybrid tea rose https://amzn.to/2ZI6yMl Mr. Lincoln hybrid tea rose https://amzn.to/2XX2Eyc Gold Medal hybrid tea rose https://amzn.to/3md8Bzo Firefighter hybrid tea rose https://amzn.to/3m3uLE8 Memorial Day hybrid tea rose https://amzn.to/3m7Vyzf Don Juan climbing rose https://amzn.to/3oiZHTH Earth Angel floribunda rose (looks like an English Rose) https://amzn.to/39PW4wc Double Knockout floribunda rose https://amzn.to/3F0lXYt Scentimental floribunda rose https://amzn.to/3F3DLSA Burgundy Iceberg floribunda rose https://amzn.to/2Ya2DaE Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design