The second part of a two-part series.  We discussed the watershed approach  in the last article: How to Design Sustainable Patios and Walkways. But what exactly is the watershed approach?  To understand this concept, let’s reverse the terms.  We approach our outdoor landscapes as a natural watershed, which it is.  The old concept of draining excess water directly to the gutter is archaic in California, replaced with the idea that we need to save this valuable resource and use it when we can, allowing it to sink into the soil and nourish plants rather than sending it to storm drains.  It’s not only ethical, it’s practical and will save money on the water bill.
      How does the hardscape play a role with the watershed approach?  As explained in Part One, hard or impermeable surfaces need to be minimized but that does not necessarily translate to less patio and walkway surface overall.  We just need to use our design skills to allow areas for water to runoff and pool, then pick the right materials that are conducive to our goals.  Here are a few tips.

1. Begin with a concept plan, drawing a rough sketch. Plot out the size of areas that people witll utilize to enjoy and move through garden areas.  Make these areas large enough for comfortable use.
2. The rest of the landscape will presumably be used for plants, dry streambeds, etc.  Ideally there is a comfortable square footage ratio of hardscape to softscape.
3. Include the house and outbuilding footprint, and any other impermeable existing surfaces in your ratio calculations.  The ratio may be overwhelmingly in favor of hard surfaces and structures. Time  to get creative.
4. Plot current drainage.  Where will rain runoff go?  Draw arrows that direct runoff away from buildings and living areas – any places you don’t want water to remain after a rain.  Direct runoff to planter beds in the landscape where it can settle, by designing in dry creek beds, etc.
5. Make sure you later choose plants that can tolerate periods of sitting in water in these low-lying areas designated as ponding beds.
6. Still not enough space for water to safety drain and sink into the soil?  Get more creative.  Draw in rain barrels under the eaves to capture water.  Break up hard surfaces.  Walkways, especially secondary walkways, can be made of decomposed granite or crushed decorative rock, patios can be creatively laid in segments with spaces left for gravel or ground-hugging plants.  Even concrete can be laid as permeable, a specialized mix installed by a qualified contractor. There are many  creative ways to capture most, if not all excess water, even on a small lot.
7. Still worried about too much water? Drains can be set a few inches above the soil area in our low spots created for ponding.  These drains can be used to carry excess away from the property during those gully washers that, though rare, occasionally hit the San Diego region.

These seven how-to’s describe, in a nutshell, how to turn water runoff into a recycled, valuable resource – the key points in using the watershed approach to design your landscape.

     The move to designing sustainable landscapes in San Diego and elsewhere -- specifically patios, decks, and walkways -- does not mean we need to shrink  these living spaces.  Hardscape surfaces are as important as ever. Yet implementing the watershed approach - collecting water rather than  sending it to storm drains - is a recent concept, creating the need for a variety of approaches when designing these areas.  In other words, hardscapes are now less hard.
     In an eco-friendly garden, patios and walkways are designed to allow at least some water penetration beneath the surface, not simply to shed rain and irrigation to the closest storm drain.  Here in San Diego and in landscape designs throughout the country, the trend toward more porous, less ‘hard’ hardscape materials often leads to a creative mix of materials blended together in the landscape.  The monotone rock or concrete patio surface of yesteryear has given way to a more artful, elaborate mix of stone, tile, concrete, brick, gravel, sustainably-harvested wood or wood composite, and even steel. It's an artful blending that takes skill.    The danger of designing with too few materials can make the landscape appear pedestrian, while the danger of using too many materials, without a careful eye to mix these materials, creates a scattered, unprofessional look.
      Selecting hardscape materials successfully – just as when mixing plants – has both its rewards and hazards.   A huge area of one material, be it concrete, stone, or any other surface, loses impact.  And too little of the same material may not have the desired look.  Who is impressed  at the sight of a rectangular sea of expensive flagstone, or for that matter a single band of tile across a driveway?  The sea of flagstone is as boring as a commercial rock yard (at a huge expense) while the tile band in concrete appears engulfed by other features, a questionable choice that makes us wonder why anyone bothered at all.  The flagstone patio would be more impressive by alternating materials, possibly colored concrete or brick, or by creating more angles or curves in the design.  Some design themes — craftsman or Tuscan for example — have a rich history of combining various materials for design effect.  By choosing a harmonious mix of materials in proper proportion, and by blending those materials together in pleasing shapes and patterns, the framework of the hardscape sets a superior tone for the gardens.

See more on Sustainable Landscape Surfaces in Part 2

​        Sunny days and warm nights continue to ring in the New Year in San Diego, and outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and fire pits remain on the front burners (pun intended) of most of my design clients’ wishes.  As the economy continues to improve, people want to create outdoor rooms that can be enjoyed after the sun sets.  Nearly all the landscape designs I have completed this year included at least one of these features. 
         A few tips to consider when designing an outdoor kitchen, fireplace, or fire pit:

• Gas and electric are the first important considerations – almost mandatory for kitchens --  and every linear foot of gas and electrical line will cost money.  Therefore try to locate these features as close to gas and electric outlets as possible.  Tapping into the gas line as it comes out of the meter is usually necessary; the one-half inch stubs at the back of the house may be insufficient to adequately operate outdoor features without affecting indoor gas appliances. Be sure to check into permits.
• Wood-burning fireplaces and fire pits are popular where allowed, simply because they burn hotter.  Gas may not supply the necessary warmth on a cold night.  On the flip side, no cleaning is necessary when gas is used.
• Those grand outdoor fireplaces are pricey.  Expect to pay anywhere from $8000 to $12,000 or more for a fireplace.  Fire pits cost from $2500 to $3500 or more.  Fireplaces will likely require a permit with inspections, adding more to the bill. 
• When combining outdoor kitchens with fireplaces or firepits, coordinate the materials.  These features are usually placed in close proximity to one another, so colors and materials should match or at least be harmonious. This includes stucco, stone, brick, concrete, and tile choices.
• Kitchen countertop materials should be carefully considered.  Countertops need to hold up in the weather, not fade in the sun. These materials need to be stain, chip, and dent resistant.   At the same time, counters must be at least as easy to clean as indoor kitchen countertops.
• Countertop materials choices include ceramic tile, stone tiles (including marble and travertine), poured concrete, and granite slab.  Poured concrete and granite slabs will be a significant cost upgrade.
• The accessories seem nearly endless when building outdoor kitchens.  I let the homeowner choose and order what they want to install, which necessitates choosing all accessories very early in the design process.  The grill is of course mandatory but sizes vary.  Access drawers to the inside of the unit are also necessary to get to the gas shut-off valve. Other potential features, of which there are dozens, are limited only by the budget and desires of the homeowners.

     
     Those are just a few of the more practical considerations to contemplate when designing and installing these outdoor features.  With winter rapidly approaching, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and fire pits will be in increasing demand in San Diego landscapes.