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Even though they are evergreen, redwood and pine trees are known for shedding large quantities of brown needles during late summer and early fall, a natural process that often catches people by surprise. This needle drop is part of the trees’ annual cycle and serves to conserve water and support new growth. To cope with drought stress, these trees allow their oldest needles to die off, thus reducing the overall demand for water. Additionally, this annual shed helps rid the trees of less-efficient foliage: Needles typically last for…
Even though they are evergreen, redwood and pine trees are known for shedding large quantities of brown needles during late summer and early fall, a natural process that often catches people by surprise. This needle drop is part of the trees’ annual cycle and serves to conserve water and support new growth. To cope with drought stress, these trees allow their oldest needles to die off, thus reducing the overall demand for water. Additionally, this annual shed helps rid the trees of less-efficient foliage: Needles typically last for…
Even though they are evergreen, redwood and pine trees are known for shedding large quantities of brown needles during late summer and early fall, a natural process that often catches people by surprise. This needle drop is part of the trees’ annual cycle and serves to conserve water and support new growth. To cope with drought stress, these trees allow their oldest needles to die off, thus reducing the overall demand for water. Additionally, this annual shed helps rid the trees of less-efficient foliage: Needles typically last for…
Have you ever noticed that professionally maintained lawns look slightly taller in summer? You might think the crews are running behind on their mowing schedule, but actually this is an industry best practice for helping turf to thrive in our long, dry summers. Allowing the lawn to grow a bit taller makes it harder for weed seeds to reach the soil, and if they do, they receive less sunlight so may not germinate. Also, the soil line stays cooler in the face of hot summer sun when the grass is allowed to grow a little higher. …
Have you ever noticed that professionally maintained lawns look slightly taller in summer? You might think the crews are running behind on their mowing schedule, but actually this is an industry best practice for helping turf to thrive in our long, dry summers. Allowing the lawn to grow a bit taller makes it harder for weed seeds to reach the soil, and if they do, they receive less sunlight so may not germinate. Also, the soil line stays cooler in the face of hot summer sun when the grass is allowed to grow a little higher. …
Have you ever noticed that professionally maintained lawns look slightly taller in summer? You might think the crews are running behind on their mowing schedule, but actually this is an industry best practice for helping turf to thrive in our long, dry summers. Allowing the lawn to grow a bit taller makes it harder for weed seeds to reach the soil, and if they do, they receive less sunlight so may not germinate. Also, the soil line stays cooler in the face of hot summer sun when the grass is allowed to grow a little higher. …
In case you nearly missed it, we’re just reaching the end of California Poppy season! This is Eschscholzia californica, California’s state flower and a familiar roadside weed. Plants reach only 1-2 feet tall, and they grow well without water or fertilizer in the Bay Area. Orange is the most common color, but you can find them in many shades, including red, pink, pale yellow, and even white. You sometimes hear that it is illegal to cut our state flower, but that’s not exactly true. State law says you need permission to remove / sell…
In case you nearly missed it, we’re just reaching the end of California Poppy season! This is Eschscholzia californica, California’s state flower and a familiar roadside weed. Plants reach only 1-2 feet tall, and they grow well without water or fertilizer in the Bay Area. Orange is the most common color, but you can find them in many shades, including red, pink, pale yellow, and even white. You sometimes hear that it is illegal to cut our state flower, but that’s not exactly true. State law says you need permission to remove / sell…
In case you nearly missed it, we’re just reaching the end of California Poppy season! This is Eschscholzia californica, California’s state flower and a familiar roadside weed. Plants reach only 1-2 feet tall, and they grow well without water or fertilizer in the Bay Area. Orange is the most common color, but you can find them in many shades, including red, pink, pale yellow, and even white. You sometimes hear that it is illegal to cut our state flower, but that’s not exactly true. State law says you need permission to remove / sell…
After a long rainy season, we’re starting to see the warmer, drier conditions we expect during May in the Bay Area. We love the sunny weather, but when the rains stop, the clock starts ticking on fire season. Now is a good time to clear any deadwood and start developing a plan to make your property as fire-safe as possible. We offer a multi-pronged approach to firescaping: Trim tree canopies up to 8 feet high to prevent fire ladders Mow grasses and weeds when they dry and turn brown (weed abatement) Remove highly flammable juniper…
After a long rainy season, we’re starting to see the warmer, drier conditions we expect during May in the Bay Area. We love the sunny weather, but when the rains stop, the clock starts ticking on fire season. Now is a good time to clear any deadwood and start developing a plan to make your property as fire-safe as possible. We offer a multi-pronged approach to firescaping: Trim tree canopies up to 8 feet high to prevent fire ladders Mow grasses and weeds when they dry and turn brown (weed abatement) Remove highly flammable juniper…
After a long rainy season, we’re starting to see the warmer, drier conditions we expect during May in the Bay Area. We love the sunny weather, but when the rains stop, the clock starts ticking on fire season. Now is a good time to clear any deadwood and start developing a plan to make your property as fire-safe as possible. We offer a multi-pronged approach to firescaping: Trim tree canopies up to 8 feet high to prevent fire ladders Mow grasses and weeds when they dry and turn brown (weed abatement) Remove highly flammable juniper…
Our client asked us to come up with a solution for this sad slope between a fence and a sidewalk. Over time, soil can wash away or become too compacted to accept irrigation. Then you’re left with a steep slope with poor soil and just a few plants hanging on. One solution would be to take out everything and start over with concrete retaining walls, a new irrigation system, and lots of new plants, but that can add up to an expensive project for such an out-of-the-way area. We took a more economical approach, performing a tune-up…
Our client asked us to come up with a solution for this sad slope between a fence and a sidewalk. Over time, soil can wash away or become too compacted to accept irrigation. Then you’re left with a steep slope with poor soil and just a few plants hanging on. One solution would be to take out everything and start over with concrete retaining walls, a new irrigation system, and lots of new plants, but that can add up to an expensive project for such an out-of-the-way area. We took a more economical approach, performing a tune-up…
Our client asked us to come up with a solution for this sad slope between a fence and a sidewalk. Over time, soil can wash away or become too compacted to accept irrigation. Then you’re left with a steep slope with poor soil and just a few plants hanging on. One solution would be to take out everything and start over with concrete retaining walls, a new irrigation system, and lots of new plants, but that can add up to an expensive project for such an out-of-the-way area. We took a more economical approach, performing a tune-up…
We expect colorful flowers in spring and summer and vibrant, fiery leaves in fall. But what about winter? After the holiday decorations are gone, what will provide color? Never fear, winter bloomers are here! Camellias are tough, reliable shrubs with spectacular winter flowers in red, white, and all shades of pink. Easy to grow in the Bay Area. Rosemary’s Latin name means dew of the sea – and this tough little plant will thrive and bloom even on seaside cliffs. Choose from creeping and upright varieties. Hellebores are …
We expect colorful flowers in spring and summer and vibrant, fiery leaves in fall. But what about winter? After the holiday decorations are gone, what will provide color? Never fear, winter bloomers are here! Camellias are tough, reliable shrubs with spectacular winter flowers in red, white, and all shades of pink. Easy to grow in the Bay Area. Rosemary’s Latin name means dew of the sea – and this tough little plant will thrive and bloom even on seaside cliffs. Choose from creeping and upright varieties. Hellebores are …
We expect colorful flowers in spring and summer and vibrant, fiery leaves in fall. But what about winter? After the holiday decorations are gone, what will provide color? Never fear, winter bloomers are here! Camellias are tough, reliable shrubs with spectacular winter flowers in red, white, and all shades of pink. Easy to grow in the Bay Area. Rosemary’s Latin name means dew of the sea – and this tough little plant will thrive and bloom even on seaside cliffs. Choose from creeping and upright varieties. Hellebores are …
The San Francisco Bay watershed covers 4600 square miles, carrying water that started as snow or rain from the mountains down to the sea. An extensive network of local streams and creeks drain into rivers and eventually into the Bay. If you’re lucky enough to have a creek or stream on your property, it’s important to make sure you keep it clear of debris that can slow the stream or even cause overflows. It’s also a good idea to remove invasive nonnative plants, as they can quickly spread and clog waterways. At Terra, we have…
The San Francisco Bay watershed covers 4600 square miles, carrying water that started as snow or rain from the mountains down to the sea. An extensive network of local streams and creeks drain into rivers and eventually into the Bay. If you’re lucky enough to have a creek or stream on your property, it’s important to make sure you keep it clear of debris that can slow the stream or even cause overflows. It’s also a good idea to remove invasive nonnative plants, as they can quickly spread and clog waterways. At Terra, we have…
The San Francisco Bay watershed covers 4600 square miles, carrying water that started as snow or rain from the mountains down to the sea. An extensive network of local streams and creeks drain into rivers and eventually into the Bay. If you’re lucky enough to have a creek or stream on your property, it’s important to make sure you keep it clear of debris that can slow the stream or even cause overflows. It’s also a good idea to remove invasive nonnative plants, as they can quickly spread and clog waterways. At Terra, we have…
The term mulch applies to any material that is spread on top of the soil to retain moisture and discourage weeds. Mulches may be inorganic (gravel based) or organic (plant based). In most cases, plant-based mulch is best for planting beds. It breaks down naturally and acts as a slow-release fertilizer for the soil. It looks and acts just like the forest floor! Popular organic mulches include redwood bark, shredded cedar, and dyed wood (made from shredded pallets). Arbor chips (wood chips made from trees that have been run…
The term mulch applies to any material that is spread on top of the soil to retain moisture and discourage weeds. Mulches may be inorganic (gravel based) or organic (plant based). In most cases, plant-based mulch is best for planting beds. It breaks down naturally and acts as a slow-release fertilizer for the soil. It looks and acts just like the forest floor! Popular organic mulches include redwood bark, shredded cedar, and dyed wood (made from shredded pallets). Arbor chips (wood chips made from trees that have been run…
The term mulch applies to any material that is spread on top of the soil to retain moisture and discourage weeds. Mulches may be inorganic (gravel based) or organic (plant based). In most cases, plant-based mulch is best for planting beds. It breaks down naturally and acts as a slow-release fertilizer for the soil. It looks and acts just like the forest floor! Popular organic mulches include redwood bark, shredded cedar, and dyed wood (made from shredded pallets). Arbor chips (wood chips made from trees that have been run…
Ginkgo biloba is the only living tree species that shared the planet with dinosaurs. The fossil record shows they’ve been around for 200 million years, and there’s something prehistoric-looking about their flat, fan-shaped leaves. They unfurl a bright green color in spring, stay green all summer, and then in fall turn the most brilliant gold. Every leaf on the tree changes to exactly the same color, and they all drop within a few weeks of each other, giving the impression of a shower of gold. Tough and disease resistant, these make…
Ginkgo biloba is the only living tree species that shared the planet with dinosaurs. The fossil record shows they’ve been around for 200 million years, and there’s something prehistoric-looking about their flat, fan-shaped leaves. They unfurl a bright green color in spring, stay green all summer, and then in fall turn the most brilliant gold. Every leaf on the tree changes to exactly the same color, and they all drop within a few weeks of each other, giving the impression of a shower of gold. Tough and disease resistant, these make…
Ginkgo biloba is the only living tree species that shared the planet with dinosaurs. The fossil record shows they’ve been around for 200 million years, and there’s something prehistoric-looking about their flat, fan-shaped leaves. They unfurl a bright green color in spring, stay green all summer, and then in fall turn the most brilliant gold. Every leaf on the tree changes to exactly the same color, and they all drop within a few weeks of each other, giving the impression of a shower of gold. Tough and disease resistant, these make…