It maybe Indian Summer...but rain is on the way. This year catch it!

It has been a not-so-typical summer in California. Cooler than average temps, all summer long, gave this summer the feeling of the summer that never was. Now we are into September and although still cooler the threat of rain is a ways off and the hope for some warm sunny days still lingers. But then today's grey morning skies and a weather report that actually predicts rain in the north bay this weekend made me wake up and realize that the rainy season is not far off at all!!

A corner stone of Green Building and Contemporary Landscape Architecture is to turn this annual event into a positive savings that can pay off when the actual rainy season is long over. Now much like a skier who knows that with winter rain comes winter snow, rain harvesters can catch rain in the winter and use it in the summer to supplement their garden's needs.

With each year the technology and various catchment systems get easier to install and more aesthetically appealing. Below is an example. Easily connected to a downspout the pot acts not only as a planter but as a rain harvesting device as well. Cool Contemporary Landscape Architecture! If you have questions about this or rain harvesting in general please don't hesitate to email me. This year when it rains...Catch it!

Back from summer...more from the garden!!

Well it has been a great summer. I look to get back to posting about Contemporary Landscape Architecture on a regualar basis. Look for new posts every Monday.

For now here are a couple shots of the harvest. It has been a non-summer here in San Rafael, CA in terms of summer temps but over all the garden grew and delivered....yummy veggies!

Inspiring?…check, Vertical?…check, Contemporary Landscape….check!

Check this out!!!!

Let it Grow! Let it Grow!

The veggie garden is in and on its way! Here are some before and after pictures. Can't wait for the harvest!!



In the orange pots I am going to plant sunflowers as part of the Great Sunflower project. The project is a honey bee study. Check out more info at the link below. I will give updates here on how the Land Studio C sunflowers and veggies grow.
www.greatsunflower.org

'Contemporary' Eco-friendly Garden Tour

Had the opportunity to go on the Marin Eco-friendly Garden Tour this past weekend. Wow! Over 32 gardens were involved. Wish I could have seen them all but I got to see more than a few really beautiful gardens using innovative and eco-friendly practices. It was great to see the garden owner’s and designer’s embracing sustainable materials/practices and Bay friendly drainage/runoff control solutions. Even more fantastic was to see the many visitors asking questions and being excited about the designs and the contemporary approaches. There were many demonstrations, lectures and educational programs spread throughout the county and the tour. I had the opportunity to attend Josiah Cain’s presentation on Rain Gardens, Bioswales, Green Roofs and Living Walls. Great presentation! Josiah is Chief Design Officer at Design Ecology. They are involved is some really exciting projects. I have added Design Ecology’s blog to my blog list – Check it out!

The lecture took place at the beautiful Branson school campus in Ross.


The Tour Sponsors were; Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program, Marin County Flood Control & Water Conservation District, Marin Municipal Water District and North Marin Water District.






Cheers to all those involved and really big cheers to all the owners that opened up their gardens so the visitors could learn and gain inspiration in the contemporary eco-friendly approach to landscape!!!

Gettin it done...350 Garden Challenge

This weekend in Sonoma County 350 waterwise food gardens will be created. Check out this cool video and cheers to all involved...this is how it gets done!!!



For more information check out dailyacts.org/350-gardens and 350.org

Beautifully sustainable

These are beautiful, functional and sustainable all at the same time….perfect for your contemporary landscape.





Taken at the SF Garden Show








Parasoleil makes Copper, Aluminum, Cor-ten steel, Composite and FSC High-grade Plywood panels that can be used in so many ways only the designers creativity is the limit. My favorite is the copper. It is made from 90-95% recycled copper. It is 100% recyclable and creates 0% waste during manufacturing.
These panels can be used for privacy, shading, railings, so many things…Check out Parasoleil and consider them for your next contemporary landscape project. I know I will!!!