470 Japonica Way
Brian’s Full Yard Refresh
INTRO + PROJECT PLANNING | GARDEN DESIGN + SECTIONS | PLANT + MATERIALS SUMMARY | RECOMMENDATIONS | RESOURCES
Your Project Page
QUICK OVERVIEW OF WHAT’S INCLUDED
WELCOME! Here’s what to expect of the planning process and how your Garden Plan works. Following your introductory meeting and initial payment, your project is now reserved in our schedule. Within a week of your initial meet, you are now receiving this direct link to your Project Page. This is where information will be made available throughout the evolution of the project and can be accessed easily in one place at any time for easy reference. You will find some initial information already uploaded, to be followed shortly with your design. We will let you know when to check your page for the design once we have uploaded it. Then we will schedule a chat by phone to walk through the page and the design together, and receive feedback. We will make the updates and check in again to make sure you have everything looking good. Then you will be ready to hand the design to your installation team. Easy.
Here are the basics of what you’ll find on this page (and more):
• OVERVIEW | PROJECT PLANNING This section in included to help give a sense of what’s involved from start to finish, how to plan in the correct sequence, and a basic understanding of what and who is typically involved for a project like this. You may also find suggestions for groundwork or prep to the yard that would be helpful to attend to or that would affect your plants or design before installation proper begins. We are helpfully equipping you with a basic run through that is just good to know, acknowledging that the direction and decisions are ultimately your choice.
• YOUR LANDSCAPE PLAN = 2D DESIGN LAYOUT + DESIGNATED AREA CONCEPTS This section includes a conceptual design for designated area/s and a recommended materials list. Your conceptual design will show the materials, and the overall look and feel of the area to give you a visualization for how the area could look. It is not intended as a final plan, rather a guide at this stage.
• RECOMMENDED MATERIALS This section is broken out in to two areas: Softscape (mulch, soil, plants) and/or Hardscape (stone, patio, walkway, wood, etc) materials that would be required or that would optionally fit the goals of the design are offered for consideration. This is also where you will find specific details on any area of your yard in question, from stone or fencing choices to ‘what to do with’ a certain area, or even products, strategies, comparisons, or anything helpful.
• ADDITIONAL MATERIAL RECOMMENDATIONS, should you wish to autonomously research and make adjustments or additions to the initial recommended material list.
• HELPFUL RESOURCES How-To videos, or additional relevant information / inspiration directly related to specific elements of your project, as well as additional design references as deemed useful.
• RECOMMENDED VENDORS + CONTRACTORS We offer recommendations for where to find quality materials and for the experience necessary to create the look and feel herein suggested. This section gives referrals but we are not directly affiliated with those listed and cannot guarantee their performance. Please know that you will be required to give any design concept to a licensed specialist or to your landscape installation team for actual review of viability and a separate estimate. We are not responsible for determining actual requirements for implementation; we leave it to them where it will be in good hands with their expertise.
• BEFORE + AFTER photo album. Pics of your current yard will be included, aka, the before. Once your project is installed, please send us some great pics (or invite us over to take a great pic) and we’ll upload it to showcase the beautiful transformation of your yard, aka, the after. If you like, let us know and we can give you a single image of your before/after to show friends or family.
Project Planning
BENEFITS OF PLANNING
Buildings, Walkways, + Structures: If you are including built features such as a fence, deck, or using right-of-way space, you will in most circumstances need to reach out to a licensed structural engineer or architect. They will be able to provide you with the certification that you will use to apply to the city for a permit approval for your project. If you need to define your property boundaries (for a built structure), a site survey is most helpful. If you need to mitigate drainage or are making improvements to a walk, drive, or public use structure, a civil engineer may be most helpful and a ‘right-of-way’ permit may be required.
Landscapes + Plantings: No permits necessary. If you are creating the aesthetic look and feel or seek to define the ‘use of space’ for or around your built structures, you will be working with a Landscape architect or designer to create a property or planting plan. The benefits of this are without number. You can visually walk through each area spatially, understand the needs of the plants, materials, and microclimate and how it will be best used. Sustainability, soil health, native species, and ecological resilience are the focus.
For all plans, the takeaway is that you will understand the scope and sequence of what needs to happen when throughout the arc of your project. With this bird’s eye view, you’ll be able to schedule or budget any phases for the project and be better informed to address details as they come up from start to finish. Along the way, unknowns can crop up or new questions can arise. Simply knowing how long it takes to implement something, and then adding a buffer of time (and budget) to allow for unknowns, can help with planning and expectations. With your plan, you can check to see if there are any requirements or missing pieces before you start, or double check your preferences and even weigh potential risk factors along the way that could save you from a costly mistake.
Building and Landscape design go hand in hand. For example, it’s just as essential to think about your plants first even during the building design phase, because often the irrigation will need to be installed underneath the walkways or patio, and the needs of the ecology may benefit from or inform the structural plans.
Once you are ready to take action a project typically starts with checking for utilities and underground features, grading the land for water flow and structural requirements, then building or construction begins, followed by landscaping including hard-scape features, the soil is amended, drip irrigation is laid, and finally soft-scape features such as plants, planting soil, and mulch are introduced.
Now that you’re familiar with the benefits of planning, let’s take a look at who you may need to work with in sequence to bring your project into being…
Managing Roles
WHO DOES WHAT
So who does what to make your garden come together?
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
If you are making all the decisions and using various independent service specialists, then you are essentially playing the role of Project Management. If you hire someone for this role, usually a General Contractor or a Project Manager will be assigned to act as the point person for everyone, essentially being the ‘glue’ that holds all the moving pieces of the project, budget goals, communications, and timeline together. If you work with a full service design and landscape company or partnership you will be assigned a project manager to be your point person. Below is a list of typical licensed professionals you may find yourself working with over the course of your project.
Depending on the nature of your project, you may not need to work with every role in the following typical sequence. As you make the best decisions for your needs, we can help guide you to simplify, clarify, and decide on what roles may be required or most effective to work with on your project.
ADDITIONAL TYPICAL INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS INVOLVED ON A PROJECT
INDEPENDENT LANDSCAPE INSTALLER Each landscape company is unique, based on the combined skills of its team. Many are excellent stoneworkers, and can do irrigation on the side, yet have rudimentary understanding of irrigation, plants, or plant care, even if they offer basic maintenance and clean up. You can ask them what they specialize in and what they would refer to someone else. In terms of project management, a landscape team (installation) usually has a crew manager, responsible for the team’s deliverables. This person may or may not also inadvertently be willing to play a portion of the project management role, depending on the situation. They may also subcontract a part of what’s needed, say plumbing or machine work. Any team’s capacity is usually within the limits of their expertise, meaning they can’t foresee, advise, or plan integrations beyond what they have a current working knowledge of. It’s best to get second opinions to be sure you have all the necessary information and can take the best approach. If you would like a referral, please ask.
INDEPENDENT IRRIGATION SPECIALIST Depending on the needs of your environment or the existing irrigation system, you can either rely on a landscape team’s ability to work with basic irrigation, or you may truly benefit from an irrigation specialist’s wisdom and experience to help you troubleshoot, recommend, or install the required system to sustain your planned environment. Plants form systems and it follows that the irrigation requirements will vary from trees to lawn to various garden plantings, to xeriscape. It’s helpful to have a specialist who can recommend what’s best for all needs, make it easy for you to manage, cost effective, and who can make plans that address future potential access too. If you would like a referral, please ask.
INDEPENDENT TREE SPECIALIST Trees are a world of their own and provide innumerable foundational benefits to the health and character of the land and everything on it. It is highly recommended to work with a tree specialist for specific issues, or maintaining their healthy throughout their life cycles and seasonal extremes. If you would like a referral, please ask.
INDEPENDENT GARDEN SPECIALIST Since, for example, a landscape installation team may specialize in hardscaping, and may not include plant expertise, it is advantageous to invite an independent Garden Specialist or horticulturist to help address things like the right plant list for your microclimate, or to provide other helpful information about how various elements, including irrigation, may best work together to sustain your end goals. They can also highlight what maintenance might be required after the installation process is complete or recommend a specialist. Rebecca’s Gardens offers this expertise as part of your garden plan anyway so you save.
FULL SERVICE LANDSCAPE COMPANY WITH ALL ABOVE ROLES ON AN IN-HOUSE TEAM
AND THERE’S ALWAYS FULL SERVICE: If your project and budget would be best served by delegating these roles, then the most logical and more integrated option s to contract with a full-service landscape business. They can offer you a well-planned experience, starting with a project manager to be your point person and to interface with on all areas of your plan, schedule, budget, and design. They provide value through an integrated team of specialists that covers all the bases (hardscape, softscape, and irrigation) including helpful risk assessment, and a more seamless experience due to their in-house communication and timeline. With an initial investment up front, working with a full service team is designed to bring you the best experience and recommendations which translates to real savings throughout the project as well as in the long run. Rebecca’s Gardens offers a partnership with our industry leading building and landscape installation team, Outdoor Craftsmen. If this is the service you want, please join us for a seamless landscape design and installation experience! We welcome inquiries about our services for your budget and answer questions so you’ll have a clear sense of what’s possible. Ask us today.
Ok, now that you have an idea of the benefits and scope of planning — Let’s See Your Design!
Your Full Yard Design
2D PLANTING LAYOUT
FRONT YARD LAYOUT
BACK YARD LAYOUT
Plant Pictures
YOUR PLANT PICTURE GALLERY IS HERE
√ Check out what your plants will look like when mature.
√ Check out our PLANT PACKAGES for more inspiration or to add selections to your garden later.
Your Plant List TBD When Plant Preferences Are Confirmed
LIST OF PLANTINGS FROM ABOVE DESIGN: EXISTING | RECOMMENDED FROM DESIGN | ADDITIONAL CHOICES
Materials Summary
BALANCING HARDSCAPE + SOFTSCAPE
SOFTSCAPE
Softscape refers to PLANTS, SOIL + MULCH — Basically any of the living organic matter or plants that make up the landscape, that are not the structural rock or hard materials used.
SOIL AMENDING
The health of your plants is first and foremost about the health of your soil.
After sod removal, and before adding plantings or groundcover, it is highly recommend to:
1) Aerate the existing soil (using footwear gear or holes punched by a rented aeration machine). If possible, do not till up the soil.
2) Add a layer of clay-busting amendment such as Soil Pep (available at McGuckins)
3) Add a layer of soft organic compost suitable for outdoor horticultural garden use (add a layer to the top of the exposed soil)
4) Optionally add 1/8th volcanic rock or perlite (to lighten soil structure and increase moisture retention)
5) Slow water. Let the amendments soak down with slow watering (to avoid fast runoff) before planting.
6) Now your soil is ready to be planted. By nurturing the soil before planting, you increase the success rate of your introduction, robustness, and longevity of your new plants, as well as contribute to a healthier ecosystem.
PLANTING
Here are our recommended planting soil blends, available at local suppliers such as McGuckins:
• The Bomb — Paonia Soil Co
• Sheep ‘n Peat — Earth Essentials
• Ocean Forest — Fox Farm
HARDY GROUND COVER AS LAWN ALTERNATIVES
Another native option for reducing mulch, is to use living ground cover. Here is a robust list of species-select ground covers to choose from that will work in your garden design. In addition to your recommended plants in the design, you can always use this list to try adding a new variety or two to your garden at any time.
Steppable Flowering Groundcovers 2-6” H
→ Mediterranean creeping thyme (Thymus longicaulis)
→ Elfin creeping thyme, multiple species and varieties of Thymus praecox and Thymus serpyllum
→ Wooly thyme (Thymus praecox subs. britannicus)
→ Veronica, creeping, aka speedwell (Veronica filiformis)
Delicate Flowering Groundcovers
1-5” H
→ Adjuga (6”) full to part shade
→ Alpine “Mock” Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
→ Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
→ Clover (Microclover, Red clover, Crimson clover, White Dutch clover) lifespan 3-5 yrs, requires reseeding
1-5” H cont…
→ English Daisies (Bellis perennis)
→ Lamium (4”) full to part shade
→ Plumbago (6-8”h) sun or shade
→ Redwood Sorrel (Oxalis oregana)
→ Sedum, dragonsblood (Sedum Spurium)
→ Sweet Woodruff (6”h) full to part shade
Delicate Flowering Groundcovers
6-10” H
→ Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
→ Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina)
→ Phlox, creeping (Phlox stolonifera)
→ Prairie Smoke (Geum Triflorum)
→ Rockcress (Arabis) *wide spread
→Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
→ Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
SOD REMOVAL
If the landscape company is planning to rent or use a sod-removal machine for turf removal, please refer to these guidelines: Landscaping Around Trees, offered by local tree expert, Fred Berkelhammer, owner of a local tree company, that highlights the risks to your Maple. Avoid using a Skid Steer for removal.
The key is to avoid scraping the tops off the tree roots, which will subject your tree to immune system challenges and potentially risk the health of the tree and/or be costly to you for caring for it.
Recommended: Use hand tools to gently remove sod within a 6-8 ft circle around the trunk and be extra careful if using a machine, for example, keep it at a minimum depth setting.
FLOWERS + SHRUBS
See your Recommended Plant List + Layout above to get an idea of the planting approach. Timing is flexible on when you introduce plants, whether this spring or later in the season. When you give your desired Plant List to your landscaper, they can give you an updated estimate.
NATIVE APPROACH
To the left, you’ll see an alternative option for how to plant any garden area using native low water plants, without a lot of mulch, using broad coverage of low decorative rock, and wide spreading flowers and low shrubs. Let me know if you’d like to see more of this native style in any of your garden beds.
Thyme + Veronica
Clover
Creeping Jenny
viewable up on 4th + hawthorn
False Strawberry
MULCHES
SOIL PEP — We highly recommend Soil Pep as a top dressing to any horticultural garden in Colorado. This light flaky bark chip mulch can be used underneath heavier top mulches such as ‘gorilla hair’.
Soil Pep is both a mulch and a soil conditioner, meaning it has double value. As water softens, it breaks down and mixes into the existing soil, adding nutrients and helping to bust up existing clay pockets or hardened slightly compacted soil structure. It also is a nice visual top dressing to create an even feel. Keep in mind though, that it is so light weight that the wind will take it if not kept moist. Only for use in horticultural beds, not vegetable.
NATURAL WOOD BARK
GORILLA HAIR — Our most recommended type of mulch for the front range is called Gorilla Hair. The gorilla hair mulch allows water through to the roots of surrounding plants and flowers without letting it evaporate too quickly. It is useful in zones with fluctuating temperatures and seasonal extremes for it warms roots in winter and keeps the ground cooler in summer. Because the soil is kept from being exposed, it is assisted in maintaining a healthier structure and moisture level, supporting natural processes beneficial for healthy plant roots. Additionally, the fibers weave together forming a natural mat, preventing wind stripping, when used in sufficient quantity for it to work properly. This mulch typically requires a percent of the total volume to be replaced every other year or so.
TIP: To keep it looking fresh, simply turn or ‘fluff’ the mulch from time to time, or once in the spring.
Recommended For Your Garden Areas as designated:
• Redwood gorilla hair mulch at least 3” deep for any designated garden areas. Volume will typically settle down with weather, snow, and water.
HARDSCAPE
Hardscape refers to THE GRADE OF THE LAND, STONE, + STRUCTURE — Hardscape refers to any hard foundational element that defines your landscape, such as decorative boulders, concrete, or other materials used in walkways, patios, or drives, as well as building materials that define a growing or planting area or around which to work, such as buildings, walls, or other built features.
Please use these sample material options to help you visualize the options we will be discussing in our next phone conversation:
Create A Dry Creek Bed
FEATURE OPTION
Using river stone (cobble) in this section gives you the option to create a dry “Rock Creek” feature running through the landscape.
• Ideally, featured on the inside of the Maple tree in the SW corner
• Choose to make a crescent shape -or- to have it naturally meandering through the landscape as one would see in nature.
• Create a slight topography by piling excavated dirt from the center of the ‘creek’ line, along the sides to accentuate a low wide gentle trench
• Lay down 2x weed fabric over the entire width of the creek and 1x on the sides
• Use smaller rocks in the creek bed and various size larger rocks to define the sides
• Allow plantings to be spaced sporadically along the edges, perhaps next to a decorative larger stone or two.
GARDEN EDGING
You have existing garden edging. You can choose to keep your existing edging if the new plan does not require removing it. Any pieces of existing edging that are bent, broken, or rusted should be removed for safety and replaced with a new functional piece.
Where additional edging is needed, we always use and like to recommend a ‘roll top’ galvanized steel edging with a powder coated color (we prefer brown) for longevity and safety. bent, broken, or in the way of the new garden line when you begin work.
You do have an aesthetic choice to use River rock (cobble) in a portion of the garden areas, so this type of edging is typically quite helpful when delineating it from the lawn, or from different materials, making the design appear fluid and clean, as well as creating safety by retaining materials within a designated area.
Recommended: Brown galvanized steel “roll top” edging with stakes
Vendor: CPS (Colorado Pipe and Supply) in Arvada
Note: they are wholesale only, but your landscaper should have an account there
NATURAL WEEDING OPTIONS
Click the links to read more or find out DIY tips
• Best Applications for Vinegar
GARDEN ROCK
River rock, or Cobble, is a type of smoothed river stone that comes in a variety of sizes. The style I envision would work best for your garden design is sold locally by the title of “Grey Rose” in 6-12” or similar. The actual stone sizes in the mix vary from around 4”—15”, but the average stone size is “palm sized”. It has an overall even look, comprised of a range of medium to light tones. For accent areas, you may also consider Mexican River Stones, which are darker in color, smoothly rounded, and of roughly equal size, providing an even continuity and a subtle tone contrast for your garden area. The value is slightly higher than river cobble.
Recommended: Cobble 8-12” “Grey Rose” or similar for any designated rocked garden areas. This style is the most natural with a some color variation.
Vendor: Colorado Materials, Longmont
WEED BARRIER FABRIC
The use of weed barrier is a choice. It’s helpful to prevent weeding in smaller horticultural garden areas such as yours. It is believed that if you don’t use it, you are saving the health of the soil over time. However, at the same time you need a robust weed management program. So, it's something we still recommend in small areas and in certain cases.
If you do want to use weed mat, this (left) is what you're looking for, ideally, (not the grey stuff, which is a lighter weight and weeds can push through more easily).
Benefits of weed barrier: It does allow air, water, and nutrients to pass through, just not weeds. It's great for xeriscape, and under rocked areas. It is designed to last 5-10yrs, if not exposed to the elements. It is suitable for small areas like this.
Recommended: Black woven weed barrier fabric, heavy grade
Vendor: CPS (colorado pipe and supply) in either their Longmont or Boulder location
It's wholesale, but your landscaper will likely have an account there
Additional Recommended Products + Local Vendors
CLICK HERE to view our short list of recommended natural products and local vendors
for horticultural and vegetable gardens.
Irrigation
Do my xeric and low water plants need irrigation?
Yes, all newly introduced plants need automated irrigation. This is because they are grown in a nursery and have developed in response to a regular watering system with soft nutrient rich soil in a regulated environment. To become adapted to a new environment they will need time. Start by matching the care they are used to by using regular automated drip, this will help their roots become strong as they become exposed to the new soil conditions and extremes of the environment, then slowly adjust the watering time toward your goals. Doing so in stages over several months or a full season will provide the best curve for successful adaptation with minimal plant loss.
RECOMMENDED: To use water most efficiently, I highly recommend using a drip system for your front yard design.
When to install? Drip goes in before or at time of plantings. Each plant needs to receive a 1/4” tube with emitter directly to its roots. Situate the tubing above soil and easily accessible yet visually hidden just under mulch or rocked areas.
Basic System Requirements:
• Identify a free valve on your manifold + dedicate it as a drip zone
OR Transform your lawn irrigation zone into drip by capping the heads
• You can adjust the drip zone run time/days on the timer/clock
• You can also plan for (or adjust) water flow needs to specific plants using the drip emitters that will be set to drip at each plant root.
• Make sure the main drip line snakes through the entire yard (to the areas where plantings will be) and around the Maple tree (at the drip line).
• Installation of drip through mulch or rocked areas should visibly hide (not bury) the line just out of sight, and above the weight of excess material.
Recommended: Check with an irrigation specialist that knows plants and plant needs for the most efficient solutions. Your landscaper can always do the labor if you prefer. Best to know what’s ideal first and prevent losing plants or a costly future re-do.
Monthly Maintenance Package
Twice per month our crew of 1 — 2 plant care specialists will maintain your gardens. Sessions last between 2-4hrs each and cover a lot of ground so to speak. Ask about our pricing and schedule.
Your Monthly Maintenance includes:
• Weeding, Trimming, Shaping, Pruning
• Species specific care by plant type and species
• Fertilizers / Natural pest prevention (as requested/needed)
• Soil Amendments (extra as requested/needed)
• Mulches (refresh as requested/needed)
• Hauling Debris (including minimal city compost fees)
• All information accessible on a private URL web page, just like this page but separate, for easy reference and links
Search for Additional Plants by specifics
KNOW HOW FOR YOUR GARDEN
WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING CHANNELS AS YOU LEARN THE ART(S) OF
XERIC + LOW WATER GARDEN TIPS
7 PRINCIPLES OF THE XERISCAPE SYSTEM
GROUND COVERS THAT PERFORM
LOW WATER FULL SUN PERENNIAL LIST
HOW TO DIVIDE + TAKE CUTTINGS FROM SEDUM
COLORADO NATIVE PLANTS
Recommended Local Growers + Vendors
Thank you for your commitment to sourcing only organically grown plant species, soil, or other products, to stay consistent with the larger-picture holistic values of RG designs. The following non-comprehensive list of local growers and vendors is fairly safe in regard to being organic and non GMO but be sure to ask:
Recommended Service Specialists
Here are our trusted referrals for related services. Link from picture. Please call each directly to schedule as needed.
Your Photo Album
Before
During
After … TBD
We’re so excited for your gardening journey this season! May your plants and hearts grow in abundance, wisdom, and joy. May you learn from mistakes and celebrate your adventures. Life is a journey… who we become while achieving our goals is the real treasure. And of course, you know where to reach me if you have any ideas, questions, or could use a spot of inspiration along the way. Enjoy your garden refresh this season!
~ Rebecca & Team