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

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

Photo - Pool with tropical flowers

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Taken at a client's residence in San Diego

 

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

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

 

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  

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

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

 

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

Photo - Patio at Night

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

taken at a client's residence in Point Loma

 

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  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo - Ipe wood fence with block columns and address bar

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

 

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

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

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

Photo - Split Level BBQ

  

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Taken at a client's residence in Encinitas

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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  

Photo - Country Manor Keystone retaining wall and patio

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Taken at a client's garden in La Jolla

 

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

 

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  

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

Photo - Scabiosa with Bee

 

Scabiosa is a wonderful little perennial.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

 

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

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

Video - Apricot Tree Blossoms

    

Spring has arrived in this cheery video. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photo - Built in firepit with seating

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

taken at a client's home in Poway

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

Video - Dolphin Water Fountain

 

Here's a simple video of a wonderful dolphin water fountain. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

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

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

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

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  

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  

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

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

Photo - Rose 'Molineaux'

This is an easy to grow David Austin rose.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

 

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

Photo - Roses pruned with cute doggy

Here's what your roses should look like after pruning.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo - Me picking out rocks

Here I am at Southwest Boulder & Stone selecting boulders for a job.

 

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

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