Saturday, December 31, 2022

Photo - Outdoor Kitchen with Granite Top


This outdoor kitchen is also a bar with the raised counter.  
The granite compliments the stone facade and pavers.
Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Taken at a client's residence in Encinitas

 

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Photo - Dry Stream Bed with Night Lighting


 

Video - Landscape Makeover Backyard Resort


It's time for another edition of Landscape Makeover. This time we overhaul a backyard trapped in a maze of bricks, pillars, walls and fences to create a fabulous space for entertaining. This new outdoor space has a elegant kitchen, TV room, pool, hot tub and a large dog yard.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Photo - Paver Patio with Waterfall


Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
taken at a client's residence in Encinitas

 

Monday, December 12, 2022

Video - 8 Great Flowering Trees

 
Flowering trees are great landscape focal points. Here are 8 great ones to consider for your garden. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Saturday, December 10, 2022

Photo - Inferno Coprosma


This tough little shrub boasts lots of color in a tiny package.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

 

Video - Artificial Turf Lawns for Dogs

 
Dogs are tough on lawns but which is better real grass or artificial turf? This video will go into the costs, benefits and drawbacks to both. I will also show you all the steps on how to install artificial turf. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Photo - Kaleidoscope Mangave


This brightly colored succulent is quite sharp but stays compact.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Taken at a client's garden in La Mesa, California

 

Video - Save these Succulents!

These large mature succulents are headed for the greenery dumpster in February unless new gardens for them can be found. This garden is in north San Diego county. Let me know if you want any. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Sunday, December 4, 2022

Video - If you have a dog, beware of poinsettias!

 

It's time for Christmas decorations. But what about Poinsettias, are they safe for dogs and cats? Doug answers that question in this short video starring Peanut and Ginger. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Video - Rosemary: My Favorite Plant for Cooking

 

Rosemary is an incredibly versatile plant. It is drought tolerant, rabbit resistant, bee friendly and great for cooking.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Friday, November 18, 2022

Photo - Raised wooden vegetable bed

 

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Taken at a client's garden in San Diego

 

Video - Retaining Wall Ideas for Your Landscape

 
Retaining walls are great for terracing, creating patios and pathways out of a slope. The 2 primary materials for a retaining wall are CMU blocks and Keystone blocks. This video goes over the differences between the 2 types of walls and how they are built. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Monday, November 14, 2022

Video - Bees on a Cactus Flower

Even a cactus can bring in the bees. This Peruvian Apple Cactus (Cereus repandus) burst with flowers following a big Fall rainstorm. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Photo - Dry Stream Bed


This dry stream bed is flanked by planter bed with Bark Wood Mulch (stone)

Photo by Doug Kalal, taken at a client's garden in San Diego

 

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Video - Decomposed Granite Driveway

 

Looking to do a really long driveway but concrete is too expensive. Try crushed decomposed granite. 3/4" or 3/8" will work and give you lots of color choices.


Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Sunday, November 6, 2022

Video - 20 Great Plants for Slopes

 

Here are 20 great plants for slopes. They run the range from California natives to colorful succulents. All the plants in this video are listed below.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Thursday, November 3, 2022

Video - 7 Tips for Planting a Slope

 

Southern California is filled with rolling slopes. Here is how to fill that slope with beautiful plants. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Photo - Decomposed Granite Pathway


Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

 

Video - The Baby Bobcat is a Backyard Beast

Every good backyard remodel starts with demolition. The Baby Bobcat (also known as the Mini Track Loader or MT100 for short) is great at getting through 32" wide gates to rip up a backyard. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Monday, October 31, 2022

Video - Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween. Each year I build a Haunted House to entertain the local kids. After 20 years, I now build it at the local middle school as a fundraiser for the music program. This year (2022), the Haunted House raised over $4,000 in just 3 hours. Enjoy and have a safe and Happy Halloween! Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Video - Good Bug or Bad Bug?

 

Is this a good bugs or a bad bug? This video will show some examples of both found here in Southern California as well as some tips for organic pest control. Here are the bugs featured in this video; Katydid South American Palm Weevil Butterfly Caterpillar Yellowjacket Dragonfly Boxelder bug Aphids Ladybug Spiders Honey Bees
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photo - Aphids


In my next video, I will talk about and good bugs, bad bugs and some tips for organic pest control.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

 

Monday, October 17, 2022

Video - 5 Things to Help Your Garden POP! Part 5 Water Fountains

 

Sometimes pretty flowers aren't enough to give a garden some color. Here are some ideas to help your garden pop. Today's video will show a wide range of water fountains.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Video - 5 Things to Help Your Garden POP! Part 4 Colorful Pots

 

Sometimes pretty flowers aren't enough to give a garden some color. Here are some ideas to help your garden pop. Today's video will show some colorful pots and plant ideas for them. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Monday, October 10, 2022

Photo - Concrete Mow Strip


A concrete mow strip is a good way to separate the grass from the planting areas.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Taken at a client's garden in San Diego

 

Sunday, October 9, 2022

Video - 5 Things to Help Your Garden POP! Part 3 Wind Sculptures

 

Sometimes pretty flowers aren't enough to give a garden some color. Here are some ideas to help your garden pop. Today's video will show examples of wind sculptures. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Saturday, October 8, 2022

Video - 5 Things to Help Your Garden POP! Part 2 Statues

 

Sometimes pretty flowers aren't enough to give a garden some color. Here are some ideas to help your garden pop. Today's video will show examples of garden statues. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photo - Ivy Geranium (Pelargonium peltatum)

 

This colorful perennial blooms all year round in frost free areas.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

 

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Video - 5 Things to Help Your Garden POP! Part 1 Wall Art


 

Sometimes pretty flowers aren't enough to give a garden some color. Here are some ideas to help your garden pop. Today's video will show examples of wall art, perfect for spicing up fences and walls. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Photo - Sunflower with Bee

 

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

 

Video - Adventures in Italy St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City

Our tour of Italy continues in Rome. Today we visit the famous St. Peter's Basilica (church) of the Vatican, the largest church in the world Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Video - Pool Deck Design Ideas

 

Are you thinking about building a new pool or renovating an old one? This video will cover the different materials you can use for a pool deck and their costs.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Video - The Colors of Fall

Happy September 21st, the first day of Fall. Here are some trees, shrubs and perennials that can bring fall colors into your garden. All the plants in this video are listed below.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design Autumn Blaze Flowering Pear Tree Chinese Pistache California Fuchsia Acalypha Toyon Palace Purple Heuchera Coleus Crape Myrtle Purple Hopseed Bush Pacific Sunset Coprosma Maori Queen New Zealand Flax Jester leucadendron Marmalade Skies Heuchera Forest Pansy Redbud Flamethrower Red Fireburst Coprosma Liquidamber Chinese Fringe Flower Loropetalum Eastern Redbud

Thursday, September 15, 2022

Video - Landscape Makeover Front Yard Paver Patio

It's time for another edition of Landscape Makeover. This time we transform a front yard from a pile of boring rocks to an inviting paver patio. The pavers in the video are the Catalina Grana series from Belgard. The color is called Bella. And it is beautiful!

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Video - Garden Trains!

 

Here's something new for your garden, a train! There are specialty train kits made for the garden. Walter Andersen Nursery not only sells these kits but has a massive display at their Poway location. https://www.walterandersen.com/ Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photo - Colored Concrete Driveway

 

This concrete driveway was created with the Davis color 'Palomino'.  
It also features a Top Cast #3 finish for extra grip.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Taken at a client's residence in San Diego



 

Sunday, September 11, 2022

Video - How to Eat a Pomegranate

It's pomegranate season! Here's how to turn that gorgeous fruit into yummy seeds. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Saturday, September 10, 2022

Video - Round Water Feature

Here's a peaceful water feature in the rain to sooth your day.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Photo - Decomposed Granite Pathway

 

This lovely pathway costs half of concrete and is permeable.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Taken at a client's garden in Escondido

 

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Video - Variegated Smooth Agave and other cool Agaves

Agaves are great plants for drought tolerant, low maintenance gardens. Here are my favorites.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Friday, September 2, 2022

Video - Landscape Makeover A 90's Nightmare Finally Ends

 

It's time for another edition of Landscape Makeover. This time we rescue a backyard pool deck from a 90's nightmare. 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

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Video - How to Create a Modern Style Walkway with Travertine Tile


Travertine tile is a great material for creating modern style walkways and patios. Here's how it gets installed. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Photo - Pork & Beans Sedum

 

This little succulent is great cascading over a pot

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

 

Video - How to Roast Summer Squash

 

Summer Squash is easy to grow from seed, even in containers. We used 21 inch cheap pots and 3 months later we had these beauties. My wife, Lisa, shows you how to roast the squash. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Sunday, August 28, 2022

Photo - Chinese Fringe Flower (Loropetalum chinense)

 


This colorful shrub prefers a little afternoon shade in hot regions.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Taken at a client's garden in San Diego

Saturday, August 27, 2022

Video - Growing Sunflowers

 

Sunflowers are so easy to grow in warm weather. From seeds to flowers in 6 weeks, here's a fun 2 minute video on growing sunflowers. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Monday, August 22, 2022

Video - Crape Myrtle, the crazy colorful tree

 

Crape Myrtles produce an explosion of summer blooms in a fairly small tree. They comes in several colors from bright red to pink to white. These little trees may only get 20 feet tall but pack a big wallop of color. Crape Myrtles are also drought tolerant. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photo - Round Hot Tub


This hot tub is capped with Travertine tile coping.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
taken at a client's house in Poway

 

Saturday, August 20, 2022

Video - What to feed your citrus tree this summer

 

Citrus trees are like teenagers, you have to feed them a lot in the summer. Here's what to feed them. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Video - How to Install a Paver Pool Deck

 

Pavers are a great choice for a pool deck. They come a wide variety of color, textures and patterns. Here's a how to video on their installation.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Video - A Little Dog and a Big Stick

 

Time for a little break from gardening for a cute 1 minute dog video. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Sunday, August 14, 2022

Photo - Infinity Edge Pool


This a great use of the infinity edge pool, a mountain top home.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

 

Video - Hate your neighbor? Plant Privet!

 

Do you have an ugly neighbor that you can't stand to look at? Hide them with Privet! This is a great shrub for privacy. Privet will reach 8' tall if untrimmed and flowers nicely in the spring. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Thursday, August 11, 2022

Photo - Pool House




This pool house serves as bother an outdoor kitchen and a changing room / bathroom.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
taken at a client's residence in San Diego

 

Video - 12 Great Trees for Small Spaces

  

Here's a wide selection of great trees for small spaces. From Redbuds to Crape Myrtles there is a tree for every garden in this video. All the plants in this video are listed in the video description. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Video - How to Repair a Retaining Wall

  
Retaining walls are often damaged by poor drainage. This then cause stucco damage. Here's a video on how to repair both. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photo - After Glow Echeveria

 

This is one of my favorite succulents.  After Glow Echeveria only gets about 12" tall and wide with a cute little flower in the fall.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
 

Sunday, August 7, 2022

Video - Drought Tolerant Plants for Snowy Places


Here are 3 wonderful drought tolerant plants for places with snow. These plants are great for USDA Zones 6-8. Here are 3 of my favorites from the mountain town of Big Bear. Fernleaf Yarrow (Achillea filipendulina), a great butterfly plant. that grows in a wide variety of conditions. Shasta Daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum) are perennials that wait for the snow to melt before bursting out of the ground. They are hardy in zones 5-9. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) flourishes at higher elevations where the soil is better draining than lower California. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Friday, August 5, 2022

Video - Concrete with Top Cast Finish

 

Top Cast is a great way to give concrete a non-slip finish. In this video, I also show how concrete gets it's color and control joints are made.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Photo - Lipstick Echeveria


This cute little succulent gets about 12" tall and wide.
Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Taken at a client's garden in San Diego

 

Monday, August 1, 2022

Video - Iceberg Roses Tougher than the Titanic

 

Do you need a tough rose? There is nothing tougher than an Iceberg (ask the guy driving the Titanic)! This floribunda rose gives loads of easy color.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Sunday, July 31, 2022

Photo - Outdoor Kitchen with Stone Facade

 

This lovely outdoor kitchen features stone facade, tile top and porcelain tile backsplash.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Desing
Taken at a client's residence in San Diego

 

Friday, July 29, 2022

20 Wonderfully Fragrant Plants for Your Garden

 

The summer scent of these plants are intoxicating. Here are my favorite fragrant plants.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Video - Adventures in Italy The Wicked City of Pompeii

 

Our Adventures in Italy continues in Pompeii. This wicked city was buried under 20 feet of volcanic debris in 79 AD. Ironically it was the city's infamous nature that would protect it from looters so that Pompeii could be rediscovered in the modern era. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Photo - Orange Marigold


 This annual is great at attracting beneficial insects to your garden.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Video - Doug's 15 Favorite Variegated Succulents

 

As the drought worsens, try some succulents! Here are 15 very colorful variegated succulents.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Sunday, July 24, 2022

Photo - Grandiflora Rose 'Wild Blue Yonder'

 
This vibrant rose can get 5 feet tall.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
taken at client's garden in San Diego

 

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Video - How a Modular Outdoor Kitchen is built

  

Creating an outdoor kitchen gives you lots of opportunities for design choices. Today's video will look at modular kitchen construction with a stone facade.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Video - San Diego's Dog Beach

 

San Diego is a fabulous beach town! Here are 2 of the best dog beaches anywhere, Fiesta Island and Ocean Beach. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Monday, July 18, 2022

Video - Plants for Repelling Mosquitoes

 

Here's are some plants that can be used for repelling mosquitoes, yellow jackets, wasps and other bugs that drive you buggy.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Friday, July 15, 2022

Video - Adventures in Italy The Pitti Palace of Florence

  

Our tour of Italy continues in Florence. Today we visit the dazzling Pitti Palace. Home to the Medici dynasty for 2 centuries, this museum now showcases the best in art, fashion and furniture from the 1500's to the 1800's.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photo - Raised Wooden Vegetable Bed


Raised vegetable beds like this wood one make it easier to harvest your crop.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Taken at a client's garden in San Diego 

 

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Video - 5 Types of Roses for Your Garden

 

Want to grow some roses but are not sure where to start? Here is a brief video showing you the 5 different types of roses along with some varieties in each category.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Saturday, July 9, 2022

Photo - Cousin Itt Acacia (Acacia cognata)

 

This floppy plant adds some unusual texture tot he garden.
Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
taken at a client's garden in San Diego

 

Thursday, July 7, 2022

Video - Doug's 5 Favorite Ornamental Grasses

 

Ornamental grasses are a nice substitute for regular lawns. These grasses only require once or twice a year trimming and are more drought tolerant than regular lawns.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Video - Adventures in Italy Castel Sant'Angelo of Rome

 

Our Adventures in Italy continue in Rome. Today we visit iconic Castel Sant'Angelo. This Rome fortress sits just outside of Vatican City and has been seen in countless movies and video games, such as 'Angels and Demons' and 'Assassins Creed'. Here's more info on this famous landmark. https://romesite.com/castelsantangelo.html Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Video - 25 Great Drought Tolerant Trees and Shrubs

 

Looking for colorful plants that are drought tolerant? Here is part 3 of the drought tolerant plant series. This video covers trees and shrubs. Here are some links to order these plants. There is a list in the video description of all the plants.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Monday, June 27, 2022

Sunday, June 26, 2022

Video - 25 Great Drought Tolerant Perennials, Annuals and Vines

 

Looking for colorful plants that are drought tolerant? Here is part 2 of drought tolerant plant series. This video covers perennials, annuals and vines. Part 1 covered succulents and part 3 covers trees, shrubs and ornamental grasses.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Photo - Travertine Pool Coping


This travertine pool coping is called Tuscany Riviera.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
taken at a client's residence in San Diego

 

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Video - Real Grass vs Artificial Turf

  
Which is better, real grass or artificial turf? This video will go into the costs, benefits and drawbacks to both. I will also show you all the steps on how to install artificial turf. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design  

Monday, June 20, 2022

Video - Adventures in Italy The Island of Capri

  
Our Adventures in Italy continue on the magical island of Capri. From Roman emperors to Hollywood superstars, celebrities have flocked to this southern Italian island for centuries. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Photo - Curved Concrete Steps and Patio


This is concrete features Davis color - 'Palomino'.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
taken at a client's residence in Poway

 

Saturday, June 18, 2022

Video - Synthetic Shade Structure Ideas

 

Enjoying your back yard is tough if you are sweltering in the sun. Here are some shade structure ideas for your patio. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Monday, June 13, 2022

Photo - Patio at Night


Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
taken at a client's residence in Point Loma

 

Sunday, June 12, 2022

Video - 30 Great Succulents for Drought Tolerant Gardens

  

With a drought gripping the west here is the ultimate in drought tolerant, low maintenance plants. These are my 30 favorite succulents. There is a list of these plants and where to buy them below. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design  

Friday, June 10, 2022

Video - Landscape Makeover A Patio with Curves

 

It's time for another edition of Landscape Makeover. This time we take a small yard and create an incredible outdoor entertaining space. 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

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Video - Chiapas Sage The Hummingbird Plant for Tropical Style Gardens

   

Chiapas Sage (Salvia chiapensis) is a wonderful hummingbird plant that is native to Mexico. It grows well in Zones 7 - 10 and is drought tolerant. The bright pink flowers pop for about 9 months of the year. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Monday, June 6, 2022

Video - My Dog Can Say Hello!

My Ginger loves me so much that when I come home from work she says hello! Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Sunday, June 5, 2022

Video - Adventures in Italy The Trevi Fountains of Rome


Our Adventures in Italy continue in Rome. Today we visit the most famous water in the world...the amazing Trevi Fountains. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Saturday, June 4, 2022

Video - The Beautiful Jacaranda Tree


Here is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the Southern United States (and Europe). This native of South America puts on an incredible show every spring. Jacaranda trees do best in zones 9 - 11. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Video - Yardistry Gazebo A new type of 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.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Video - Dogs and Rattlesnakes

 
It's rattlesnake season here in Southern California. If you have a dog, here are some important tips to keep your dog safe. If you come across one on your property you don't have to kill it. Here is how to relocate it. Warning: if you are unsure of yourself, call a professional. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Video - Adventures in Italy The Catacombs of Rome



 

Our Adventures in Italy continue in Rome. Today we visit the ancient catacombs of Rome. Built between 200 and 500 AD, these burial chambers became massive underground villages for the dead to rest in peace. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Video - Doug's Top 20 Plants for a Cut Flower Garden


One of the great benefits of gardening is the joy of creating your own cut flower arrangements. Here are my favorite 20 plants for cut flower gardens. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Video - The Hidden Pond

When the winter rains come, magical things happen in San Diego's Mission Trails Regional Park. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Video - How to Install Pavers


I love pavers! They are great for patios, pavers and driveways. Here's a "how to" video to show you how to install pavers. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Monday, May 16, 2022

Photo - Split Level BBQ

  

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Taken at a client's residence in Encinitas

 

Sunday, May 15, 2022

Video - Adventures in Italy The Duomo Cathedral of Florence

Our tour of Italy continues in Florence. Today we visit the world famous Duomo Cathedral. From "A Room With a View" to "Silence of the Lambs", this famous building has been featured in many movies. The church is actually called the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Friday, May 13, 2022

Video - 30 Outdoor Patio Ideas


Are you looking for ideas for a new outdoor patio? From Pavers to tile to decking. This video shows examples of them all plus rough costs of these materials.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Photo - Water Feature


This beautiful water feature took advantage of an existing slope.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Taken at a client's residence in Encinitas

 

Sunday, May 8, 2022

Photo - Decomposed Granite Mulch


This is fine Decomposed Granite (DG) used as a mulch.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Taken at a client's garden in San Diego

 

Video - Adventures in Italy The Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel

Our tour of Italy continues in Rome. Today we visit the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Friday, May 6, 2022

Video - Cut flower ideas for a Mother's Day Bouquet


Happy Mother's Day! Here are some of the flowers I grow to create a cut flower arrangement for my wife and my mom. There's a list below of all the flowers in this video.

Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Video - Keystone vs Block Retaining Walls


Retaining walls are great for creating patios and pathways out of a slope. The 2 primary materials for a retaining wall are CMU blocks and Keystone blocks. This video goes over the differences between the 2 types of walls and how they are built. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design  

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Saturday, April 30, 2022

Friday, April 29, 2022

Video - Adventures in Italy The Medieval Town of San Gimignano


Our tour of Italy continues with a visit to the medieval town of San Gimignano. Founded in 450 AD, this town is like a visit to medieval times. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design  

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Video - My Rose Garden April 2022


Here's how my little rose garden looks in late April. I have about 30 roses mixed with gladiolus, dahlias, milkweed and other bulbs. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design #roses #hybridtearoses #rosegarden #roses🌹 #redroses #pinkroses

Sunday, April 24, 2022

Video - Adventures in Italy The Venetian Glass Masters of Murano


Our tour of Italy continues with a visit to the Murano Glass Company. Murano glass has been produced for 700 years and is famous all over the world. Here is their webpage for more product info; https://www.muranoglassitaly.com/ Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Friday, April 22, 2022

Video - The Silk Oak tree (Grevillea robusta)

  

Here's a big drought tolerant and colorful tree. Birds and bees love this native of Australia, which can reach 90 feet (30 meters) tall. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design