Hello from The Yard Fairy and welcome to all of our new subscribers!

For May's San Diego landscaping adventures and endeavors, we have a couple of timely features that will interest you whether you're a do-it-yourself landscape artist, or simply someone who prefers to get the information up front before consulting with a garden design professional.

In the previous issue of The Yard Fairy newsletter, we discussed hardscape materials and the many different choices you have in creating a unique outdoor setting that reflects your particular taste and style. Now that you're all caught up on whether you'd prefer flagstone or gravel paths, wood or aluminum furniture, it's time to start thinking about size. This month, we're following up with our article covering Hardscape Dimensions: how big to make that patio or lounge area of your back yard.

Our low water feature is on Hydro Zoning, and teaches you how to group plants according to their water requirements and other needs. What a great way to save water and dollars while creating magic in your yard!

Join The Yard Fairy online and talk amongst fellow gardeners, landscapers and energy and water conservationists. Friend us on Facebook and check out our new Fan Page! You may even be featured in an upcoming Yard Fairy Q&A session.

As always, if you need assistance with your landscaping design, would like to have a Smart Irrigation system installed, or have any other questions about low water landscaping, please contact us at info@theyardfairy.com.




Diane Downey, Owner
The Yard Fairy Inc.
www.YardFairy.com

Hardscape Dimensions: Plan Your Patio According to Size

Picture this: a fourth of July dinner party planned on a warm summer evening, guests should be arriving soon and you're getting out the plastic lawn chairs. Suddenly, you realize that a table of six won't fit on your patio. What do you do? Leave a few guests to sit on the lawn, excluded?

In a previous article, we looked at hardscape materials, and what one might use to create, among other things, the perfect patio setting. Today we'll be covering the next important step -- dimensions. From your patio's standing area to the seating arrangement, you'll want to know sizes in advance - this way, you can purchase the right amounts and measurements of hardscape materials. Planning ahead will save you money and prevent future headaches and hassles, so be sure to take the time you need up front to do it right the first time.

Continue reading "Hardscape Dimensions"

 

Hydro Zoning

It isn't hard to see the arid condition that Southern California happens to be in at the moment. Simply step outside and look around. You'll see plenty of brown patches and wilting petunias. You'll also see some lush, green lawns... but in order to survive our climate, these are watered religiously -- either manually, or with an irrigation system.

Watering an entire front and back yard on a daily basis can surely cost an arm and a leg, particularly here in San Diego - which is why it pays to learn a technique like hydro zoning. Hydro zoning involves grouping plants together based on their needs. If you do it right, hydro zoning can yield you a gorgeous landscaped yard, while saving you both water and dollars.

Zone 1: Drought Tolerant Plants

Hydro zoning in a place like San Diego should of course start with drought tolerant plants. These breeds survive best in areas with little water or scarce resources. Cactuses and succulents are typical; but also, many other types of Californian natives thrive well with just a little water.

Continue reading "Hydro Zoning"

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Check out The Yard Fairy's Video Library... featuring beautiful landscaping slide shows set to music, local botanical garden tours, and more.

Also, don't miss our ever-expanding Low Water Landscaping Q&A, where we feature questions submitted by readers along with detailed responses from The Yard Fairy Diane Downey. Click here to read past Q&A sessions.

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