Designing A Garden For The Future

 We finally have begun working on the new garden 

here in Santa Barbara

Once again rocks seem to pop up out of nowhere....do big rocks make more baby rocks?...

sure looks that way 

The rocks we excavated in Ojai were granite 

and here in Santa Barbara they are sandstone 

so they are a bit lighter and easier to move....

at least I think they are but I actually haven't picked any of these big boys up!

And just as we did in Ojai all the rocks we dig up 

will be re-used in the landscape in some way.

 It's actually pretty fun and creative to re-use what you have

 and re-think the possibilities.

 The yard will be enclosed by low walls 

and have a series of small garden rooms and stone landings

 The far west end of the lot will be a kitchen garden for vegetable's and herbs 

as well a seasonal cutting bed.  I have always wanted a cutting bed just for bulbs and specific seasonal flowers for arrangements so I'll give it a try here.  The beds will have special low volume netafim drip tubing and smart irrigation solutions for water conservation 

 We made a decision to completely eliminate all sod, plants and garden elements that could be 

"water hogs"

from the design.  

I really love a beautiful green lawn but the drought here in California is very severe.  

It seemed selfish and a bit short sighted to not use this opportunity to really re-think how a California garden can look with limited water.

Creating a garden for the future that can be sustained 

is where garden design is heading. 

 Most landscape architects are very focused on water use and most of the larger landscape companies have been tasked to design and build parks and urban gardens with a focus on water conservation. 

 Almost all new developments have reclaimed water plans in place and pools, ponds and huge swaths of sod are going to be a challenge to be built in the very near future.  

Also many growers here in California have developed hybrid trees and plants that are not only beautiful 

but can live happily with very little water.

So I guess this garden will take a little more thought on my part 

but I think I will feel better in the end knowing we got it right.
so....that said...the simple goal is:

 to have a great yard that requires limited water, 

 is relatively easy to care for....but...still looks awesome!

 The low garden walls will be bright white stucco with a rough hand troweled finish 

to match the old stucco on the house from the 1920's

 There is a lot of creative masonry going on here.  I had a long talk with the boulders and told them that they would either have to be blown up !....or they can stay, be nice and become part of the wall...I guess they're staying.

 Masonry work is hard work...seriously hard.  

It's dirty and hot and just about everything involved is heavy.

Many of the larger stones will be cut here on site 

and used for raised beds, columns and hard scape features

The stone is cut first with a wet saw and then shaped 

with a hammer and chisel to the size and shape needed

The stone above was cut and shaped into a cap for the entry columns.

The masons we have hired are really talented and such hard workers.  It is really interesting watching them and they take great pride in what they do.  

 As usual, the inside of the house will be neglected finished last 

but that gives us more time to make good decisions about the renovation possibilities 

 Millie seems to find the best spots for a nap...

either right in a hot dry patch of dirt or under a shady tree

both spots sound pretty darn good...especially if your a dog or a gardener!

xo

Kelley