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
Here is the blog of Doug Kalal from Great Gardens Landscape Design. Use the search box to find lots of great ideas for your landscape.
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
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.
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
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
Friday, May 27, 2022
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
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
Photo - Crape Myrtle 'Muskogee' (Lagerstroemia indica 'Muskogee')
This colorful, drought tolerant tree is perfect for small patios.
Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
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
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Video - Adventures in Italy The Colosseum
Our tour of Italy continues in Rome.
Our first stop is the most famous landmark in all of Italy, the Colosseum.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Photo - Courtyard Wall
This 5 foot tall wall was made from CMU block and covered with a smooth Santa Barbara finish.
Talavera tiles were used to accent the wall.
Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
taken at client's garden in San Diego
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Video - Adventures in Italy The Magical Island of Burano
Our tour of Italy continues in Burano, This magical island is just north of Venice. Come see what makes Burano so famous.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Monday, April 18, 2022
Video - 50 Great Roses for your garden
Time for more roses! Here are my 50 favorite roses.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Video - Adventures in Italy The Uffizi Gallery in Florence
Our tour of Italy continues in Florence. Today we visit the famous Uffizi Art Gallery. Built in 1580, the Uffizi served as the administration office building for the region in the 16th and 17th century. Here are the links for more info on the gallery.
https://www.uffizi.it/en
https://www.uffizi.it/en/the-uffizi
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Video - How to feed your plants in the laziest way possible
Plants need food but sometimes we don't have the time or energy to do it. Here is a very lazy way to feed all types of plants; from roses to fruit trees.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Video - Adventures in Italy St. Mark's in Venice
Our trip in Italy continues with a tour of the world famous St. Mark's Square in Venice.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Sunday, April 10, 2022
Video - How to save the Monarch Butterfly
Want to know how to save the Monarch butterfly? Plant milkweed (also known as Asclepias), use less pesticides, plant more butterfly friendly plants. This video covers how to do it.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Friday, April 8, 2022
Video - Adventures in Italy The Opera House of Venice
It's time to take a break from gardening and take my wife on a once in a lifetime tour of Italy. Today we take head to the opera! Il Teatro la Fenice, also known as the Opera House of Venice, is a legendary theatre where operas such as La Traviata debuted and stars like Maria Callas were discovered.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Thursday, April 7, 2022
Photo - Seating wall with FX Light
This seating wall is made from Country Manor keystone block and
has FX low voltage lights built in.
Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design,
taken at a client's garden in Encinitas
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Video - Adventures in Italy The Grand Canal of Venice
It's time to take a break from gardening and take my wife on a once in a lifetime tour of Italy. Today we take a romantic trip down the Grand Canal of Venice.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Video - Adventures in Italy
It's time to take a break from gardening and take my wife on a once in a lifetime tour of Italy. From Venice to Capri, welcome along this 10 city trip filled with the hidden treasure of Italy.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Monday, April 4, 2022
Video - Concrete vs Pavers for your Driveway
Do you need some driveway ideas? Here is a comparison on the costs and benefits of concrete vs. pavers for your driveway.
Looking for more pathway and driveway ideas? Check out these books;
https://amzn.to/3ixeAhM
https://amzn.to/3DepGjk
Here are some links to the products in this video;
https://www.rcpblock.com/
https://www.belgard.com/
https://www.daviscolors.com/concrete-colors/
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Video - 10 Ways to Light Up Your Landscape
Outdoor lighting can create all kinds of magical images in the landscape. From path lights to cafe lights to structural lighting, here are 10 different ways to do it.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Sunday, March 13, 2022
Video - How to divide a bearded iris
Bearded iris rhizomes should be divided every 3-5 years to boost bloom production. Here's a video with Ginger the dog showing you how to do it.
By the way, the bearded iris in this video is called Dracula's Kiss.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Video - Apricot Tree Blossoms
Spring has arrived in this cheery video.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Video - 30 Great Plants for Butterfly and Hummingbird Gardens
Here are my favorite plants for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. See the video description for a list of all the plants and where to buy them.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Sunday, March 6, 2022
Photo - Paver driveway
For this driveway we used Catalan Pavers from RCP. This color is called Sky Ranch.
Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design, taken at client's residence in Tierrasanta
Saturday, March 5, 2022
Video - Meditation Water Fountain
Here's a peaceful water fountain to ease the stress from your day. This stone water fountain is perfect for oriental style gardens.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Friday, March 4, 2022
Video - 10 Ways to Rock Your Landscape
Rocks come in many forms, especially for creating beautiful landscapes. This video covers the best 10 ways to use rocks in your landscape. From decomposed granite patios to rock retaining walls, this video is filled with ideas to help you with your landscape.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Photo - Variegated Century Plant (Agave americana 'Variegated')
This slow growing succulent will eventually reach 6 feet tall and wide in 15 years.
Then the plant throws up a 15 to 20 foot all flower, then dies.
Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Video - The Chastity Tree, my favorite weird tree
As promised, here is my favorite weird tree. The Chastity Tree, also known as the Chaste tree has been used for medicinal reasons for centuries. This native of the mediterranean, is fragrant, drought tolerant and a wonderful hummingbird plant.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Monday, February 28, 2022
Video - Landscape Makeover Backyard Luxury Spa
Time for another Landscape Makeover. This time we transform a plain grass filled backyard to a luxury spa complete with pool, hot tub, firepit and water slide.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Photo - Chinese Fringe Flower (Loropetalum chinense)
This lovely shrub is coved with these pink flowers every spring.
Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Video - The danger of using pesticides in your garden
There is a hidden danger to using pesticides in your garden. In this video I discuss the devastating effects pesticides had in my life.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Video - Dolphin Water Fountain
Here's a simple video of a wonderful dolphin water fountain.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Video - 20 Great Plants for Japanese Style Gardens
Japanese style gardens are noted for their clean lines and simple color. Here are 20 great plants that work with that style of landscape.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Video - How to install a flagstone pool deck
Pool decks can be made from concrete, pavers and even flagstone. In this video we overhauled the pool and added a flagstone pool deck. Here is the whole project from start to finish.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Sunday, February 13, 2022
Video - 30 Great Red Roses for your Valentine's garden
Happy Valentine's Day! Instead of blowing $50 on some roses, give your valentine a red rose for the garden. Here are 30 of my favorite and there is a list in the video description of all the roses.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Saturday, February 12, 2022
Video - How to use GroMulch to improve your Rose Garden
Now that you are done pruning your roses, what's next? To get my rose garden ready for a great spring I add GroMulch.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Sunday, February 6, 2022
Video - 30 Great Red Flowering Plants For Valentine's Day
Here are 30 great red flowering plants to give as gifts this Valentine's Day.
Roses, Camellias and Salvias are among the plants you will see in this 3 minute video. All the plants in this video are listed below.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Friday, February 4, 2022
Video - The Great Egret, back from the brink
The Great Egret was almost hunted to extinction in the 19th century. Here's the story of how this bird was saved.
Here's the link to the National Audubon Society as well as more info on this wonderful bird;
https://www.audubon.org/
https://birdwatchinghq.com/herons-in-california/
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
#NationalAudubonSociety
#GiantEgret
#Birds
#Birdhabitat
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Video - The 2nd weirdest tree in Southern California
The Evergreen Pear tree is neither evergreen nor does it have any pears. But it is a great tree for February flowers.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Sunday, January 30, 2022
Friday, January 28, 2022
Video - What is the difference between a semi dwarf and a true dwarf citrus tree
Size matters when it comes to fruit trees. Do you have room for a semi-dwarf or true dwarf citrus tree? Here's the answer.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Photo - Roses pruned with cute doggy
Here's what your roses should look like after pruning.
Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Video - How to Prune Roses
Time to prune the roses! Here's a quick guide on how to do it.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Sunday, January 23, 2022
Video - Landscape Makeover The Golden Road
Time for another Landscape Makeover. This client needed a new driveway with some artistic upgrades and new plants. Here's the entire project, from start to finish.
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
Friday, January 21, 2022
Video - A Little Night Lighting or How to Make your House Safer with Lighting
A few low voltage lights can beautify your landscape and add safety and security to your home. Here's a 2 minute video to show you how.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Video - African Aloe
Here a great, focal point type of succulent that blooms in the winter. African Aloe (Aloe africana) is also used to make a wide range of skin care products. Here are links to some of the products made by this versatile plant.
African Aloe products
https://amzn.to/3qSxtAl
https://amzn.to/3GLLJ3c
https://amzn.to/3IC08zF
https://amzn.to/3GPf24U
https://amzn.to/3FLVeOm
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Monday, January 17, 2022
Video - How to Sharpen Old Pruners and Clippers
It's rose pruning season but your old pruners and clippers are dull and rusty. Here's how to add new life to those valuable garden tools in only a few minutes.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Saturday, January 15, 2022
Video - How to Spice up a Patio with Wavy Walls
Raised patios don't have to be boring rectangles. Here's a wavy patio wall to compliment the ocean setting.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Monday, January 10, 2022
Saturday, January 8, 2022
Video - How to stop weeds before they start
Time to start thinking about your spring garden. In addition to planning out flowers and other fun things, you need a strategy for stopping weeds before they start. Here are my 3 favorite tips for weed prevention.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Video - Landscape Makeover Gone Fishing
This client wanted a backyard pond, filled with fish and accented with a water feature. Here is the entire project from start to finish.
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
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