California Waterscapes posted this video recently, and it really gives you an idea on how happy pond owners really are with their water features. Who can resist the sound of water running down natural rocks, the beauty of lily's growing in the pond, and feeding koi fish as they swim around? Watch the video and if you feel inspired and decide that you want to become the proud owner of a water garden, call California Waterscapes for a design estimate of your own.


California Waterscapes
818-244-4000

1. First thing to keep in mind is that the best time to start your planting is in the fall. The reason for this is that the roots of the plants need to have time to establish themselves, and by the time that summer rolls around the plants will be able to withstand the heat.
2. When you begin to plant the garden, make sure that you group the drought tolerant plants together and away from the other plants that require more watering. This is because simply because the drought-tolerant do not need the water and if some annuals are surrounding it, they can easily die from the lack of water while the other strive.
3. Use more mulch around your garden. Grass and turf are water hungry and while they are great as ground cover, they will run up your water bill. Mulch serves so many more purposes than just as a ground cover, it can also prevent weeds, keep moisture in the ground and as time passes nutrients will go into the ground as it decomposes. 
4. Get to know your timer and irrigation system. Make sure the clock is set correctly and that there are no leaks or water runoff that could be going to your neighbors house or wasted away.
5. When the rain comes in, alway remember to turn off the irrigation system. After a week or even up to a month (depending on how much rain fell) check down into the soil about 2-3 inches and if you still feel moisture, its ok to leave the sprinklers off.

Not everyone is able to take advantage of a large lot or even a backyard, but it is still possible to have your own getaway spot of your own. I headed over to Downtown Los Angeles to do a little scouting on what kind of getaways we can find on the rooftops of the city.

On our first stop we saw the gardens of the Kyoto Grand Hotel, and if you live in the Los Angeles area and have yet to visit this garden, you must add this to your things to do. It is hands down one of the greatest landscapes I have ever seen, I completely forgot I was standing in the middle of a giant metropolitan city. The strolling gardens are complete with a reflection pond and pathways that meander through lush landscape. If your looking for a place to find some instant peace, this is the place to go to.

If something a little more modern and chic is what your looking for, then seeing the rooftop of The Standard Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles is a must. You are completely surrounded by L.A.'s beautiful architecture everywhere you look, and the furnishings instantly make this a place to sit and unwind. The pool and sun deck make this a great destination for some fun in the sun, while the fireplace gives you a place to cozy up at night. 

What was probably the most interesting use of a rooftop space has to go to the SYNTHe rooftop garden at The Flat apartments. The garden is used to grow herbs and vegetables which is then used in the downstairs restaurant, Blue Velvet. Besides helping to filter pollutants, increasing thermal insulation of the roof, and reducing storm water runoff, the roof top garden sets forth a complete productive cycle. Food will be grown, consumed, and ultimately returned to the cycle in the form of compost on the premises.

Here is another video that shows you the steps to take when changing an outdoor light fixture. While this may see to be a difficult task, it can be a quick job if done correctly. Of course like any other project, if this seems too overwhelming or maybe you have a more complicated project, then we do suggest that you contact a professional to handle the job.



Contact Service Magic if you have any further needs to find a qualified contractor to handle this job for you or any job that requires a trained professional.

In some regions, a big problem that tends to arise is having local deer wander into your garden of a meal and wiping out an entire garden. We are going to go over some plants that are not only drought-resistant but also deer-resistant that will be able to help out with this type of situation.

The first one we will mention are known as Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum Tectorum) which is a succulent plant that can grow in dry soil. This plant is mainly grown for its foliage and used as ground cover, but will bloom a spikey flower. 

Another plant that will not attract deer is known as Stonecrop Plants (Sedum) like the one pictured here. Stonecrop's also consist of succulent leaves, but unlike the Hens and Chicks the Stonecrop plants produce a flower that come in different colors and worth growing in its own right.

Lambs Ear (Stachys Byzantina) is a good plant to consider if you are looking to grow plants that will turn deer away. Lambs Ear will add a certain amount of softness to the landscape and will produce a light purple flower on tall spikes.

Check out your local nursery for availability of these plants and get some other suggestions on what else can be planted to handle the wildlife issue. Armstrong Garden Center's are a good source for information if your in the Los Angeles or Southern California area, and if  you need a landscape designer to include these types of plants in your design consider calling Pacific Outdoor Living to get a design done. 

There are a lot of do-it-yourself readers out there, and if you have an upcoming project that requires you to measure your yard to figure out how many square feet of a material you might need like paving stones or flagstone, then you really need to watch the following video. 


Take note of all the tips you just saw before starting any type of hardscape project. Like the video mentioned,  falling short of material can put the entire project at a full stop, and will take especially long if you are using a custom color or stone. If the job seems like it might be a little too overwhelming, don't forget that you can still call the paving stone professionals at Pacific Pavingstone to help with the installation and get it done.

Pacific Pavingstone
818-244-4000