You walk into a San Diego garden and are struck by one plant that seems to captivate the entire area. The plant is either beautiful, large, or exceptionally striking in some way, but you and everyone else can't help but notice it. The plant is a garden focal point, intentionally designed to capture attention. Focal points can mesmerize us with beautiful flower displays, exceptionally rich foliage hues, and a dramatic sculptural presence. 
     The focal point is likely to be the first plant to be penciled into a landscape design, the catalyst around which the rest of the plant palette is formed. It’s true that some landscapes are intentionally designed without using plants as focal points, as when creating a naturalistic tapestry of plantings, or when choosing to favor of a fountain, statue, or other decorative piece as the primary point of interest. But if we ignore the focal point concept altogether when creating a garden setting, something unintended maypop up to become the focus of our design, maybe some half-dead plant, looming telephone pole past the back fence, or some other eyesore.
     What makes a good focal point? It can be the impact of a solitary flowering shrub or vine, such as a protea or bougainvillea. Striking foliage color can have as much visual impact as vibrant bloom, which is the case with the burgundy leaf Caribbean copper tree. Plant curiosities and plants of impressive structure will steal the spotlight, Dragon Tree or Tree Aloe. Lastly, the biggest plant and certain to capture our attention, dominating specimens like Italian stone pine, cork oak, or our native California sycamore. 
     More complex designs are often sprinkled with eye popping plants, a conscious choice on the part of the designer when creating various vignettes throughout the landscape. When adding multiple focal points to a design works, each area is a visual treat; when it doesn't work, the focal points fight for attention and the entire landscape gets muddied and loses impact.
     Seasonality is another factor to consider in designing focal points into the garden. Many plants light up a garden in one season, then fall back into relative obscurity throughout the rest of the year. Seasonality makes it necessary to design other species that come into their prime as the other seasonal highlights fades. This is especially true when showcasing flowering plants, most of which bloom seasonally. It takes more planning to effectively design a landscape with different highlights in each season, but when implemented correctly, adds a look less likely to become monotonous.  
     Like actors on a stage, the focal point takes the spotlight while the other, less noteworthy plant species work the background in supporting roles. Selecting the right focal point or focal points adds eye-popping beauty to the landscape.
 
Steve Harbour is a landscape designer working in the San Diego area.

It has been a busy, busy year and a half in the San Diego landscape world.  So much so that I have not had time to stay current with my blog posts.  But I did want to share an Blog article by Redfin, which quotes me regarding indoor herb gardening.  In San Diego, indoor herb gardening may seem odd since our great weather allows us to garden outdoors all year long.  But for those with a sunny window, indoor herbs make sense, at least when growing the smaller herb species and varieties. 

​ Please see the link for more info: https://www.redfin.com/blog/creating-an-indoor-herb-garden/

​ 
      Last weekend, I attended an excellent San Diego APLD workshop, which included a presentation on on “Creating Fire Resistant Properties and Communities” by Doug Kent, author of seven books including Firescaping.  This is a resource book I have had in my collection for many years.  As an unexpected bonus, I and a couple of my designer friends got to spend a couple hours afterward getting to know Doug as we toured the San Diego Botanic Garden. 
    His talk and accompanying slides graphically showed both the best and worst cases of fire preparedness and what can result.  As someone who not only works but also lives in the heart of fire country, and who has evacuated my home on two occasions, this topic is as much of interest personally as it is professionalyl.  I have witnessed the impact of the loss of hundreds of houses in my own area, and how it changes a community forever.  Without a doubt, making one’s home and landscape safe from wildfire should be a chief concern of anyone living in an neighborhood like mine.
     Here are a few of the highlights from Mr. Kent’s talk:

• California experiences about 6000 wildfires in an average year. Of those, 99.9 percent are extinguished quickly and cause little damage to structures or loss of life.  It is the half dozen fires that rage out of control, burning in abnormally severe weather conditions,  that create all the destruction.
• Most people die fleeing a fire, often in their cars, and not in their homes.
• Access to and from your home during a fire is key, both along the street and in your driveway.  Fire personnel are trained to not approach homes or individual houses if they cannot see a clear and rapid way of escaping . If the street is too narrow or the home lies hidden along a winding driveway, they will not defend structures. We can all agree that their lives are more important than homes.
• Mesh screens across all vents open to the outside of home are considered one of the most important improvement features to protecting a home from wildfire.  The screens prevent embers from entering the house and starting the blaze internally.
• A five-foot space around the perimeter of the home is an important fire prevention consideration.  Anything that can catch fire should be eliminated (he showed a photo of a residence with lumber stacked next to the garage) within five feet of the home..
• Proper maintenance of the home and importantly of the landscape is a no-brainer-- painting, replacing cracked roof tiles, trimming dead or diseased branches, cleaning up fallen debris, and eliminating dead weeds and grasses, should be on everyone’s regular to-do list.  Mr. Kent showed a photo of a eucalyptus grove that had survived a fire, simply because of periodic pruning and removal of debris on the ground.   
• No matter how fire safe you keep your home, if the structure lies too close to a neighbor’s home that does not practice fire safety rules, both homes are in danger.  The home that is not fire safe will catch fire and then the neighboring homes may explode in the intense heat.
• Embers can travel and ignite up to five miles from the wildfire’s edge, starting a new fire and trapping people trying to escape.

     It is amazing that the fire that affected my home -- the Cedar Fire -- considered the most destructive fire in California history when it burned through the San Diego backcountry in 2003, has now, less than 20 years later, ominously dropped to number 4 on that list. We are in a new era when fire safety is of paramount concern, both in and outside the home.  If you would like a consultation that includes suggestions for readying your property to prepare for fire, please see my contact information.

     What’s the difference between a paid landscape design consultation and a free quote with a little professional advice thrown in?  Most of my professional colleagues charge a small fee to initially meet with new clients and assess a site, discuss  details of its current condition, and give ideas on how to improve the landscape.
     Why pay a designer when a contractor’s sales person will visit for free?  Basically, it is the difference between getting an honest and thorough, not to mention professional, assessment of your landscape, versus hearing the advice of someone wanting to sell you something.  Think of this analogy. Most homeonwers have paid a professional financial adviser for their time, and have also gotten free financial advice.  Big difference right?  In most cases, the paid financial advice was much more helpful and,  in the end, much less expensive that the advice given for free.  This at least has been true in my experience.  The same can be said for paying a design consultant for their time.  You’ll get a much more honest and thorough assessment.
          My last blog post covered the basics of the landscape consultation, Now for the specifics as to what the consultation will cover.  Consider this a cheat sheet of sorts. If you have purchased a newly constructed home, then only some of these topics apply, mostly those subjects dealing with discussing ideas and alternatives for the new landscape.  And of course every existing yard is unique,  each consultation varies in the subjects discussed.
 
Review of Existing Landscape:
 What stays and what goes?
What zone are we in.
Frost and heat possibilities.
Exposure issues: Shade, sun, etc.
Plants: Identification, care, pests, diseases, cultural Issues.
Improving drought tolerance – lawn, etc.
 
Design Theme:
Determine the current theme.
What theme best fits the home? 
Could more than one theme be used?  Mixing styles?
 
  Irrigation Overview (visual only):
  Current quality and life-expectancy of system?
  Problems with current system.
  Discuss new types of new systems – valves, heads, clocks -- advantages and disadvantages.
 
Established and New Plantings:
What’s not doing well, what doing too well.
Soil overview – amendments & fertilizers.
Good plants for foliage and flowering color.
Focal plants, background plants.
Types of plant palettes.
Vegetable and Fruit Tree Gardens.
Special needs: allergies, pets, etc.
 
Timeframe for project:
What’s a realistic start date?
How long will the project take?
Best or worst time of year to begin?
 
Family Needs:
Are there Children? Ages?
How about Pets? Number and type?
Family Activities: Barbequing, swimming, sports, etc.
Family gatherings – how many typically attend? Space required.
Social gatherings – how many and for what?
Unique needs – age, disabilities, etc.
 
Hardscape & Softscape
Overall percentage of hardscape to softscape. Current & recommended.
Advice on amount and adequate space for patios, walkways
Structures: patio covers, fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, etc.
Material selections – basic alternatives and costs.
 
Project Budgets:
What can you spend – what to realistically expect.
Work toward desires or work toward budget?
Affordable alternatives. How to reduce costs.
 
Maintenance:
Assessment of current maintenance condition of landscape.
How and what to improve?
Are the current maintenance crews doing a good job?
 
Specialty Gardens:
Drought tolerant gardens – overview of types.
Fruit and vegetable gardens.
Color palettes.
Dry versus lush palettes
Postage stamp landscapes.
 
Miscellaneous:
Privacy screening vs. views.
Home Owner’s Assoc. issues.
San Diego city and county permit advice
Contractor Issues - what to avoid.
Landscaping for fire prevention
If moving on to a design – what to expect.
What the proposal and design will include.
 
Note: For those wanting to move on to a design, a landscape design proposal will be emailed within one or two days.
 
This cheat sheet lists some of the subjects that can be addressed.  What is discussed changes with each new consultation.  Every landscape is unique and therefore every landscape consultation is different.  If there is a subject not addressed here you need resolved and want included, feel free to call my San Diego County  office at 619-922-9735 to discuss your project. 

                               By Steve Harbour
 
      What is a landscape consultation and why do I need one?  As a landscape designer working in San Diego, I begin all residential landscape projects with a landscape consultation meeting. It always begins my process forward. Why is this step necessary? Most consultations become the first step in designing and drafting a landscape plan for the project, but in some cases, homeowners simply want advice on improving and maintaining their outdoor landscape and nothing more.  Either way, the consultation is the best method to get an affordable , honest, and thorough analysis of your outdoor space, along with many suggestions for improvement.  Additionally, it is an excellent way to learn about the landscape construction process, how it works, and how to avoid common problems.   
 
Here are answers to common questions about a landscape consultation.
 
How long does a landscape consultation last?   The meeting typically lasts up to an hour. In fact, after about an hour, we will have covered so much territory that clients have as much  information as they can absorb and more time is not fruitful.
 
What happens during the consultation?  First, we decide if we need to sit down and discuss the project before walking the site, or if we start looking at the site right away.  Often, and this is very helpful to me if a landscape design will follow, the client has photos of landscapes they like and we review those pictures before walking the yard.  When we walk the yard, we’ll discuss what can stay and what can go, problems areas, and of course what, where, and how to add plants and hardscape features to the landscape. We define what it will take to build the beautiful and practical space you want.  
 
How do I prepare beforehand? Some people like to write down a list of prepared questions.  As mentioned, those thinking of moving forward with a design have collected photos, or have photos on their computers, to show me what design styles and elements they like.  This preparation is very helpful but is not required.  We can also improvise without prewritten questions with good results.  I can send you a questionnaire beforehand which helps – just let me know if you would it sent.
 
How much and why charge for a consultation?  I currently charge $125 for the first hour of consultation, which includes travel to and from the site, within 30 miles of my office.  Further distances are slightly more to cover time and expenses.  Why charge?  There are many reasons. Basically, I want to arm my clients with the necessary information to successfully complete their projects to their expectations, The fee for this initial service will, by far, be the least anyone spends on their landscape. These consultations ultimately save clients money.
 
Do you leave a list of suggestions?  I leave a suggested plant list for those who would like one.  I do not leave notes of other suggestions but encourage my clients to jot down notes if they wish.
 
Do you price the design during the consultation?  If you are interested in moving forward with a design, I send a formal proposal to you within a day or two after the consultation.  The proposal has the total price and payments, and describes the design process and scope of work. 
 
What about follow up?  If a design is in the works, we will have plenty of interaction and can discuss anything you wish during the steps of creating the landscape plan.  Otherwise, I suggest periodic consultations when necessary.

Steve Harbour, Owner at Steve Harbour Landscapes“The unique advice I give to budding designers does not pertain to learning the nuts and bolts of actual design concepts and drafting at all. This should be more than apparent; anyone learning this profession needs as much education and experience they can obtain to become proficient at landscape design. I believe one essential aspect that turns a good designer into a great designer – not taught in classrooms — is the art of working with each client, not assuming to know what they want, or worse, deciding what they need without their input. The designer needs to take the proper time to really get to know clients, listening to them, and work jointly together throughout the design process.”


“Each design is a collaborative effort. The process begins with lots of questions: welcoming questions the clients have (and they will have plenty) as well as asking a slew of questions to draw them out and learn what they really want to accomplish. I was originally trained as a newspaper journalist, so the ability to ask questions has become second nature, yet I still like to work from a list of set questions and then ask any other questions specific to the project that may seem pertinent. I also welcome any pictures or sketches they have saved that show landscapes they like, and then ask what it is they like about them.
Lastly, it is helpful to get to know each other on a personal level, which brings a comfort level to each unique job. I have gone to dinner, to concerts, and to parties at my clients’ houses, staying in touch for years after the project is completed which, as a bonus, allows me to see my design work as the landscape matures. There is no such thing, in journalism or in design work, as gaining too much information.”

     Working the San Diego area as a landscape consultant and designer, I find many prospective clients confused when considering the different types of design professionals available. In my last post, I discussed the low end of the professional design spectrum, the so-called “free” design services that attract the eye but often have a catch.  Once homeowners discover the drawbacks and limitations of these so-called “free services”, they may be forced to begin their search for a designer again, this time attempting to sort through the lists of independent professionals who charge for their design and consultation services.  The goal: finding a designer without any motive other than producing a plan for a beautiful and practical outdoor living space. 
     So who is a legitimate landscape designer?  Like any other profession, independent design pros often have a wide range of education, experience, and accolades. In California, landscape designers specialize in residential landscapes. Landscape architects draft plans for both commercial and residential projects, from landscapes for skyscrapers and business parks, to commercial projects, to single-family homes.  California state law limits landscape designers, as well as some related professionals, in the amount of detail they can provide on their plans to detailed planting and irrigation plans, as well as hardscape plans where features are adequately shown and described, but not fully detailed.  Landscape designers are required to work with appropriately licensed pros to add comprehensive grading, drainage, and fully detailed hardscape plans to their services.
    The Association of Professional Landscape Designers, an international organization with a thriving chapter in San Diego, has attempted to categorize the levels of design expertise homeowners can expect from a landscape designer.  The APLD divides its membership into three basic categories (not including student): Emerging Professional (less than 3 years experience), Professional (more than three years experience without documentation), and Qualified Professional (more than 3 years of verified experience).  Additionally, a separate, higher status exists for Qualified Professionals who can pass a rigorous certification program and be listed as Certified Design Professionals. 
     In essence, the APLD feels it necessary for a designer to have at least three years of full-time experience to successfully develop landscape plans as a professional.  Throw in all the complexities and caveats of each particular area within San Diego County, and homeowners are wise to pick amongst the most experienced of designers. 

                      Most importantly, pick someone you feel comfortable with in carrying out your vision.

      Who is a landscape designer?  Better yet, who is not?  It seems every nursery, landscape contractor, and even a few public agencies spout their services for landscape design, making it difficult to sort through the imposters to find a landscape designer who is legit; that is, experienced and knowledgeable, with the ability to create a true landscape plan that is beautiful and meets the homeowners’ specific needs. So first let’s weed out the pretenders.
    There is no such thing as free design.  Bold headlines in the newspaper and elsewhere proclaim “free design”,  most often supplied by certain plant nurseries but also by a few landscape contractors as well.  These “designers” are typically either salesmen or new and inexperienced in the trade, with the ultimate goal of selling you products rather than producing the best design possible for you and your property.  I witnessed the installation of one of these “free” designs recently: amounting to a large tree surrounded by large bed of garish color of lantana. That was it, an entire front yard with two species of plants.  A well-thought out landscape design for a property, even a small-space, takes days if not weeks of work and effort on the part of skilled landscape designers. So the idea of getting a comprehensive, thorough landscape plan for free, one that installers can read and successfully implement, is not reality.
     Landscape Contractor as Designer.  Again, a free design from a landscape contractor should set off some of the same red flags. In other words, the client receives a plan without originality that is not well thought out. This type of plan can often leave out pertinent information, including detailed plant choices and description, and types of materials used.  As mentioned, if the contractor is actually offering these plans for free, they are not spending the time necessary to create a well thought out plan.  On the positive side, some landscape contractors hire landscape designers or even landscape architects to work in-house or independently, and charge their clients a reasonable fee for the design work.  This can be a good way to get a decent design if you like and feel comfortable with the contractor and designer.  I have worked with contractors this way in the past, and it works well as long as the contractor allows the designer the freedom to create his or her own plan independently.
     Government Agencies, Books, Classes.   There are some possibilities here for do-it-yourselfers.  Still all these options have certain limitations.  The water districts are currently offering landscape design services to a limited number of customers.  This could be a viable option for those who don’t mind installing what the Water Company considers a desirable landscape.  Landscape design books are a good source of information, including my own book on design, in helping direct the do-it-yourself designer that has a good design sense.  Likewise local community college classes are a good choice for those homeowners willing to invest the time.  Any of these options may have merit, still an on-site consultation from an independent landscape designer would be extremely beneficial for anyone attempting to go it on their own with any of these last options.
 
      Now that the less desirable options for landscape design have been discussed, check back next week for the pros and cons of working with different types of design pros.
 
​

​     For some homeowners, the landscape design is for the birds. Literally. San Diego County hosts the most bird species of any other county in the United States,  with both land and shore birds adding to our county’s overall number of species. In some gardens, including my own, homeowners add lots of perks to attract birds, sometimes unwittingly (we’ll get to that later).  Enjoying the sights and sounds of the winged ones is only one benefit of encouraging wildlife into the garden, these added decorative elements -- especially bird baths and bird feeders -- enhance the look of the landscape, and can add just the right touch to long plant beds.  For this reason, we can add gardening for wildlife as a way to add personality to our outdoor spaces.
Here are some basic categories of decorative items that will attract birds and add whimsy to the landscape:

• Bird Baths – This is likely the first and largest item on the list.  Colored concrete, carved rock, or ceramic are the most popular materials used to create birdbaths.  The bird bath add an attractive center piece in an herb garden or bed of flowers.  I find those raised on a pedestal of some sort the most striking and functional, although hanging small bird baths with chains, situated to hang from tree branches or the eves of the home, can add a touch of whimsy as well.  Fountains also serve as bird baths, sometimes unwittingly, and should be maintained chemically free if your feathered friends use them.
• Bird Feeders –Bird feeders add the element of decoration as well, often hanging but sometimes sitting atop stands or even a decaying tree stump.  The bird feeder is likely the easiest of the bird items to find, not only sold in nurseries but in many chain department stores and home improvement centers as well.  Feeders are made of glass, plastic, ceramic, and metal or resin, with the most popular being the plastic and glass beaked hummingbird feeders.  Remember to buy seed that local birds actually eat;  some of the low cost seed mixes contain fillers that drop to the ground, sometimes sprouting to later become weed problems.
• Bird Houses – Ah yes, the bird house is the mark of the true avian devotee.  Made most often of wood, and sometimes hand-crafted, these decorative items must be chosen to not only match the theme of your landscape but to also house birds (whether or not the birds will use your house should be studied before making a purchase).  In regards to design, the frilly bird house with Victorian leanings or rustic bird house will not mix into the modern landscape. So choose wisely. As a side note: bird houses for owls are among the most popular nesting boxes used by San Diego gardeners, not necessarily the most attractive of bird houses for decoration but a great way to naturally control rodents and other garden pests.

 
      I have designed my own landscape to attract birds, and it is now a certified backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. I am continually amazed and delighted at the variety of birds, both year-round and seasonal residents, my gardens attract.  Providing fresh sources of water is essential, and it is also important the birds with food and shelter. While few of us have natural water sources on or near our properties, we can plant trees, shrubs, and perennials that will help in feeding and sheltering the birds.  Once everything is in place, the backyard habitat garden is a great way to both decorate the landscape and enjoy the birds.

​      It’s summertime in San Diego.  As temperatures continue to soar, the cooling sights and sounds of water seem as satisfying as an ice cold drink.  Fountains become particularly appealing this time of year, dripping, gurgling, splashing, or in some cases, spilling to put us under the mesmerizing spell of water.  It’s the perfect time to dream about adding water features to our gardens: fountains and birdbaths.
      Precast concrete fountains offer the most affordable options to set into our landscapes.  This type of fountain is cast from concrete molds, then stained or painted  to then be sold at retail outlets.  For an upgrade to a more elegant look, check out Haddonstone’s products, made similarly but formed out of limestone to mimic the classic sculptural pieces of Europe.
     Homeowners that want a natural, higher-end look will be interested in fountains with one or more boulders as centerpieces – granite or basalt  – that can be cored with a high-speed drill and set up to weep and spill water into a basin that is set unseen below grade.  These fountain pieces are extremely heavy, and set up can be tricky, requiring a crew of professionals for installation. But since each rock centerpiece is unique, no two rock fountains are ever  the same.
     Elaborate fountains are designed and built from scratch, undoubtedly at a far greater expense. These custom fountains are typically created from block and mortar, and then faced in stone. For a more modern look,  structural concrete fountains are formed and poured onsite to a designer’s specs.  Custom fountains, because they are much more labor intensive, requiring days of work to piece together as well as the need for more elaborate pumps and equipment, are likely to jump the cost, typically  costing $5000 and up.
       Birdbaths are easily within every budget, costing much less than fountains.   These landscape additions are most often purchased  from retailers as cast and stained concrete bird baths, although they are sometimes available when made from fired ceramic or rust-resistant metal materials. Granted, fountains do not create the sounds of cascading water.  But they most certainly attract birds to your yard.  San Diego has more bird species within its borders than any other county in the United States.  It’s the birds, not the water, that add lyrical sounds in the garden.

      It's the moment you have been waiting for. The hard work of designing and installing the landscape is now complete. The patios and walkways have been laid, the plants have been planted. Now it’s time to add the finishing touches.  It’s time to accessorize.
      What does this mean?  Inside the home, adding furniture, throw rugs, pictures, and other touches is known as interior decorating. Accessorizing the outside of the home is nothing more than exterior decorating.  In fact, many of these same types of features used to decorate the inside the home -  tables and chairs, decorative lights, vases, plant containers, rugs – are used outside as well, albeit these design elements will be chosen to handle the weather.   As a landscape designer in the San Diego area, I get my clients personally involved in choosing these personal finishing touches.   I often leave space in the landscape plan for the selection of patio furniture, fountains, area rugs, statutes, bird feeders and bird baths, and other related items, then leave it to the client to select these items. Or we select them together.  In this way, clients feel a part of creating the landscape.  They are personalizing their outdoor space.
     When choosing accessories, a few rules apply:   

• First, stick to the intended landscape theme.  Certain themes – the Hacienda theme or the Asian theme for instance – can be filled with pieces that reflect personality.  And make certain the objects you choose harmonize and don’t clash with the theme.   A fountain with cherubs holding an umbrella might be perfect for the cottage garden but would be a curious choice in the modern landscape.  Reversely, a stack of angular cubes dripping with water can enhance the modern theme but stick out like a rubic’s cube near the cottage. 
• Along this line, make certain the colors of your accessories coordinate.  Look to the house and outbuilding colors, patio flooring, and the other materials already used to coordinate colors.
• Pay attention to size of your selections relative to the dimensions of the space – if it’s too big then your object overwhelms the garden; conversely if it’s too small, it loses the desired impact.  If in doubt, measure the item in question – a fountain for instance –then place a cardboard cutout to those exact dimensions in the location you have in mind, and finally step back and to see if it will be the right size.  Smaller pieces of  garden art and light furniture can be moved around until you find the right place, but larger items – fountains, metal benches, etc. – can be problematic.  So choose wisely.
• Don’t impulse purchase.  Look at the gazillion items on the web and visit several stores first before deciding.  Sometimes it takes months to find just the right piece.  Be patient. 
• In regard to decorative containers: let your contractor know the exact placement of where you plan to set planted containers.  Do this at the beginning of the project so the crew can lay pipe and the plantings can later be added to the automatic irrigation system.  It will be difficult if not impossible to add irrigation after  the installation of the patio flooring has commenced.

That’s it – make it  fun and  your personal space will come alive.
 
      This is the first of a series. Next, we will go more into depth as we break down the various types of garden accessories in upcoming articles.

      When clients ask me whether they need to improve their soil, I let them know the San Diego area has two types of dirt: poor and worse.  It’s an attempt at humor of course, but native soils here are high in mineral content and lack organic matter, due to the lack of lush plant communities that can annually drop inches of twigs and leaves that decompose into fertile soil.  And if the lack of organic matter is not enough, developers then grade properties to remove the scanty top layer of earth and expose bedrock and clay as the new soil surface. New home sites typically do not have any topsoil at all!  The top layer of soil where most plant growth occurs must be recreated before planting begins.

Healthy soil breaks down into of three components:

• Rock and mineral elements.
•  Decomposed or decomposing organic matter.
• Living organisms that break down organic matter into soluble nutrients.

     An ideal garden soil profile has half its actual volume dedicated to air and water, with the other half is comprised of the three bullet points – the soil components listed.  Healthy soil also must register a certain ph factor that is neither too alkaline nor acidic to allow plants to properly grow. 
     Healthy soil has been described as a living and breathing entity that has billions of microscopic organisms and a thriving population of earthworms churning organic matter into nutrient-rich matter.   A depleted, compacted site may take years of continual work before the soil can be considered sustainable, which means organisms are reproducing abundantly and organic matter has reached optimal levels.  It is a mistake to think that newly planted landscape plantings can grow and prosper into perpetuity once the initial soil amending is complete.  Even the best forest compost mixes have been used long before the garden enters its second decade.
     An ongoing program of replenishing the soil with composted mulches and organic fertilizers is needed for continued optimal plant growth and health.  It will an ongoing effort of periodic mulching and possibly nutrient replenishment to create a sustainable environment below the soil line, but plants can then grow and prosper into old age.  The evidence will be easily seen in healthy and happy maturing plants!

This is the second article of a series on Sustainable Landscape Design in San Diego.   
 
    Sustainable landscape design is a multi-headed concept. In the San Diego area and throughout California, the definition of sustainable landscaping – filling garden beds with plants that can be harvested and eaten -- broadens into creating a backyard (or front yard) habitat that is also environmentally sensitive.  What does this broader definition really mean?  Sustainable landscaping in California, considered the driest of all Mediterranean climates in the world, translates to producing edibles, while at the same time conserving water. These two goals can conflict with each other.  It’s a tricky set of tasks, especially in drought years, to produce bounties for the table with plants that require regular irrigation cycles, while adhering to water restrictions.  So how do we actually grow food for our table and, at the same time, proscribe to the water-wise ethic?  Here are some basics.
 
Soil:  Condition soils to absorb and retain water until roots can utilize it.  California’s urban areas typically lack organic materials that must be initially brought into the site.  Fully amend the soil with organic material (soil amendments) and organic fertilizers. Then set up on-site composting bins to continue the process.
 
Mulch:  Organic mulch materials – top dresses -- must be laid as a top layer to prevent water from evaporating.  As a bonus, a layer of organic mulch will reduce weeds that will be robbing water that is intended to go to desired plants.
 
Irrigation: Most of the irrigation in San Diego is automatic, set a clock and forget about it.  In the era of so called “smart” controllers, computers do the work for us.  But the hands-on approach to watering can help save water as well. Try hand-watering the old fashion way in cultivated rows and basins. Water deeply when you irrigate, check the soil moisture regularly.
 
Water Requirements: Install planter beds with plants that have the same basic water requirements.  This should go without saying but sometimes gets overlooked, not only in the edible garden but in all types of landscape.  Know your plants – plan garden beds with plants that thrive on the same water cycle.
 
Plants:  There are those that need abundant moisture and there are those plants that survive, even thrive on less.  Without sacrificing at the table, minimize those plots that need lots of irrigation, then look into those harvestable plants that grow well with less. For instance, a Bay Tree (Laurus nobilis) grows directly out my window as I write this, which I use for seasonings.  It grows well without much, if any supplemental irrigation, yet would gladly drink from garden beds receiving regular irrigation if improperly placed.  Select plants that grow in the same microclimate areas, factoring in soil, sun-shade, and water.
 
    These are just a few basics to getting started.  There is a lot to think about when designing the sustainable garden.  I will be discussing more on the subject in future posts – Steve Harbour.

   Exciting news. Edible Landscape Design, a website devoted to encouraging people around the world to garden sustainably, has written a full page on my business. The harvest garden is a theme near and dear to my heart.  Simply stated, sustainability outdoors involves working vegetables, fruiting trees and shrubs, and herbs into the landscape. Some folks that want to devote their entire outdoor space or to edibles, others that wish to allocate a significant portion of their property to the concept, and still others want a low-key approach with fruiting plants sprinkled throughout the landscape.  Any of these design approaches is doable; in the San Diego area, most homeowners prefer either or both of the last two options.

     I have always had a soft spot for using edibles in the landscape, and have done so in my own home landscape for many years.  Years before I began full-time consulting and design, I helped start a specialty nursery and landscape business solely devoted to using herbs, vegetables, and fruiting plants in the landscape.  My eyes were opened.  Our plant list was extensive, especially when adding traditional herbal garden plants into the mix.  We had violas, scented geraniums, society garlic, artemisia, lavender, and even roses in our sales beds.  I worked with the late Sherrel Hall in those days, a local legend of sorts who became one of my best friends.  Sherrel was instrumental, not only in bringing this type of landscaping to the attention of San Diegans, but also in getting the word out on vermiculture, another of his passions. He was a force of nature, a bit eccentric but a kind and caring person.  I do not share his off-the-charts zeal for this type of landscape, but the sustainability theme is one of my personal favorites.  When clients mention they wish to use edibles in their landscape, I am more than ready to work their desires into the plan.

      In my next few blog post, I will go into more detail about designing edibles into the landscape: what it takes, working it into the overall theme, the plants that can be used, and how much you should take on (as imagined, this is not a type of landscape that will prosper without homeowner sweat equity).  Stay tuned.