Vinnie sez: “Your mudder wants roses”

Author: Admin; Published: May 6, 2011; Category: Residential Landscaping; Tags: Gardens, Plants and Trees, Residential Landscape; No Comments

I got a frantic message from my friend Vinnie. “Hey Victor, I really need your help! Come over as soon as you can!”

Vinnie is a very good customer of mine and I didn’t want to make him mad (besides, I think he’s in the witness protection program). I figured there was something wrong with the new landscaping we had put in. I met Vinnie at his house. The new Xeriscape that we had put in his front yard was doing very well, the plants were starting to bloom and the deep purple-blue catmint was astoundingly beautiful. The new vegetable garden was doing quite nicely; the tomato plants were thriving! Nothing wrong with the landscaping, something else is must be wrong, I thought.

“So what’s up, Vinnie!” I asked concerned.

“Mudder’s day is coming up and I just don’t know what to do! My Mamma is gonna come stay wit’ me for a while and I wanna do sumting special.” Vinnie said with a wild expression on his face.

“I always read your blog and I think you write pretty good so I wanted to see what you thought of dis poem I wrote for her.”

Vinnie is a big burly guy and he can seem a little menacing if you don’t know him. But suddenly his expression changed into one of angelic tenderness as he launched into his poem. And that was scarier than the tough guido I know. I was very uncomfortable.

“Mamma I love thee with all my heart
I cannot bear to be apart
Yer face—“

“Vinnie stop! Stop!” I yelled breaking his reverie. “Sorry, but a poet you’re not.”

“So whatta am I gonna do for my mamma!” cried a desperate Vinnie, looking a little hurt.

“Why don’t we put in a rose garden for her?” I said.

“Oh shua! Now why din’t I think if that? Mamma loves roses and besides she won’t be able to get out much. She can tend to the rose bushes and putz around in the vegetable garden while she’s here.”

“Using roses is a great way to add color and beauty to any yard. Roses that are available today have longer lasting blooms and they are easier to maintain. Small, compact rose bushes make beautiful container plants and brighten up a walkway. A good ground cover is a low spreading rose. The tall variety of roses can be planted three to four feet apart to form a border hedge and climbing roses are good on fences or trellises.

Dramatic effects can be accomplished by using combinations of different colored roses together in mass plantings. Your choices are endless; it all depends on what mood you want to create. Miniature roses can be planted in containers as accents for your patio. Tea roses are great for cutting and putting in vases. Roses not only attract wildlife, but will also liven up the patio with added color and fragrance.”

“Victor, you’re a genius!” said Vinnie excitedly. “Let’s get started on a rose garden right away! So, you wanna heah the rest of my poem? I’m gonna put it in a Mudder’s day card for her.”

“Sure Vinnie let’s hear it.” I said reluctantly. Vinnie again assumed a theatric pose and clasped his hands near his heart.

Mamma I love ya with all my heart
I cannot bear to be apart
Yer face is a work of art
And you been wit’ me from the start

You’ve been gone for no good reason
And your smile I have been missin’
Soon yer face I will be kissin’
Welcome home from Federal Prison.

“It’s beautiful Vinnie” I said wiping a tear. “Just beautiful.”

Happy Mother’s Day from the Hilltop.

Landscaping Can Improve Your Home Value

Author: Admin; Published: May 3, 2011; Category: Residential Landscaping; Tags: Affordable Landscaping, Residential Landscape, Xeriscape; No Comments

Many homeowners care about the interior appearance of their house. This is especially true when they are trying to sell their home. A fresh coat of paint is put on the walls; the carpet is shampooed and everything is made ship-shape for a new buyer. But when it comes to the outside of the home they are not quite sure what to do. When selling a home, not only is location very important, curb appeal is important also.

Whether it is to enhance your home or business for cosmetic reasons or to make it more salable, a licensed landscaping contractor has the special training and experience needed to handle all of your landscaping needs. We can design driveways, patios or a pool area, do decking and yard grading and give you a completely personalized landscape design. We will show you how the use of a pond and bridge, pools, trees, shrubs and flowers can beautify and enhance your home and increase its value.

You may even decide to have a yard designed around using drought resistant plants and ground cover that will conserve water. This will significantly reduce your lawn care time and be more attractive to prospective buyers.

Smaller sized yards can be made to look deceivingly larger with the secrets that a great landscape contractor will know. It is a technique called “forcing the perspective”, by planting the shrub and foliage to face each other; this extends the rear of the landscape. Making the yard appear longer and wider, this adds more beauty and makes it appear interesting.

An experienced landscape company can do wonders for your landscape. They can correct any existing problems and be able to show you problems that are not so apparent. Trees that are in need of pruning or removal, for example. Shrubbery that needs to be cut down. Irrigation problems that should be fixed. It is amazing how removing an old dying tree or manicuring the yard will dramatically improve the look of the yard. This will increase the curb appeal and value of your home, should you ever decide to sell it. This is why it is very important to choose the right contractor for the job.

Busy homeowners who care about the external appearance of their home as much as they do the interior can turn to a landscaping contractor for design ideas and to handle outdoor projects.

Few homeowners are savvy as to the best way to enhance landscape features using contour lighting, uplighting, grazing, moonlighting, or backlighting techniques. A licensed landscape contractor, however, knows how to exploit the benefits of low voltage lighting features.

Hiring a landscape contractor to help you get your home ready for sale is a smart move and will help you improve your curb appeal.

New Mexicans with disabilities can enjoy their backyards with accessible landscaping

Author: Victor Rodriguez; Published: Apr 26, 2011; Category: Residential Landscaping; Tags: Accessibility, Gardens, Residential Landscape; No Comments

With raised beds, gardening can be an accessible and satisfying activity.

Now that the weather is improving, there is nothing better than putting some steaks or burgers on the grill and sitting out the back patio taking in the beauty of our gardens. Nothing beats the taste of a tomato or squash that has been grown, tended and picked by your own hand.

But for some people in New Mexico, their backyard is an obstacle course, and a handpicked tomato, no more than a dream. Many people with disabilities cannot enjoy their backyard, because they are simply not accessible. Things as simple as gardening, barbequing or even playing with their children in their own backyard become insurmountable tasks.

The Hilltop can help disabled veterans and others with disabilities with an accessible low maintenance landscape in which they can enjoy their families and pursue other outdoor activities. These outdoor activities improve quality of life and have intrinsic therapeutic value. Existing landscapes can be renovated to include these areas, but it is much easier to design these areas in the initial development of the project, whether it is commercial or residential.

Some of the things that can be included in an accessible landscape:

Making paths into the garden areas

• Paths must be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs
• Made of concrete or pavers to facilitate movement

Building an accessible barbeque grill area

• A built in BBQ at the correct height will make it easy to grill

Building raised gardening areas

• Raise planting beds allow easy access to garden areas
• Raised provide visual stimulation at eye level
• Can be part of sensory garden

Providing a synthetic turf area where they can play with their children

• Synthetic turf areas are wheelchair-friendly and easy to maneuver
• Synthetic turf areas can be multi-functional, accommodating a putting green, croquet field, or outdoor physical therapy area

Other entertainment areas:

• Accessible fire pit
• Outdoor patio area
• Outdoor kitchens
• Accessible Horseshoe pit
• Sensory Garden
• Fountain area
• Therapeutic hot tub

The purpose of accessible landscape areas for people with disabilities is that they can have the same quality of life that is available to others. Whether it’s playing with their children or barbequing with their friends, accessible landscapes and gardens provide disabled persons with rich therapeutic environments.

At Hilltop’s urging, TransCore gets double xeriscape rebates

Author: Victor Rodriguez; Published: Apr 22, 2011; Category: Xeriscape; Tags: Commercial Landscape, Drainage, Irrigation Systems, Xeriscape; No Comments

Click image for gallery

TransCore’s Amtech Technology & Manufacturing Facility broke ground on a water-saving project that will convert 23,600 square feet of steeply-sloped turf to a xeriscape. The project qualifies for the Water Authority’s X2 Double Rebate Program. It will save an estimated 600,000-750,000 gallons of water a year, as well as reduce the company’s water bills by approximately $36,000 over an estimated three years. Construction is expected to be complete by early May.

Art De La Cruz, chair of the Water Authority Board, congratulated TransCore for being the first business to take advantage of the X2 Double Rebate Program. “In an average year, the Water Authority gives rebates for replacement of more than 400,000 square feet of high-water-use turf. By focusing on slopes, which can use two to three times more water than flatter landscapes, and small areas, which are very hard to water due to overspray, we hope to encourage local businesses to help us save even more water in this very dry year by addressing these challenging areas. The TransCore project alone will save the Water Authority enough water to meet the annual needs of seven to eight homes for an entire year,” De La Cruz explained.

The project was recommended by The Hilltop Landscape Architects & Contractors, which installed the original turf and storm drainage areas in front of TransCore in 1993. “ When we learned about the Water Authority’s double rebate program, we thought it was the perfect time for TransCore to install a water-conserving landscape that would assist the Albuquerque community’s need to conserve water,” said Victor Rodriguez, maintenance division manager of The Hilltop.

The steeply-sloped turf in front of TransCore’s Albuquerque facility requires more water than flat areas to remain healthy and consumes approximately 50 percent of the company’s outdoor water use. Irrigation alone accounts for 83 percent of the facility’s total water use every year.

Joe Viola, director of manufacturing for TransCore explained, “When Hilltop approached us with an attractive xeriscaping plan that would preserve our existing trees, incorporate a more efficient irrigation system, and, with the cost savings, would pay for the upfront investment, we realized now was the time to make the change. We hope other local businesses will make a similar commitment to Albuquerque’s water conservation.”

TransCore will also qualify for entry into the Water Authority’s contest for commercial xeriscape conversions judged on design and water-saving potential. Award prizes include $12,000 in rebates on water bills for first place, $8,000 in rebates for second place, and $5,000 in rebates for third place.

The new xeric landscaping installed will feature low-water use plants and shrubs such as Mountain Mahogany, Sumac, Bear Grass, Buffalo Juniper, Winter Jasmine, Desert Willow, and Apache Plume which, when mature, will cover about 50 percent of the area. Gray gravel and cobblestone will be used as ground cover and will tie the project into existing storm drainage areas at either end.

The landscaping conversion will preserve existing mature trees, including six Sycamores, one Purple Leaf Plum and four others. Rodriguez said the project will be enhanced by Rain Bird Corporation’s donation of a Rain Bird® ESP-SMT Smart Control System. “This system combines simplicity through Extra Simple Programming (ESP) with the ability to control irrigation based on weather conditions as well as pre-determined settings,” he explained,

“The X2 Program is a great example of private businesses working with the Water Authority to conserve our most precious resource. The double rebates and contest go a long way to encourage businesses to make the change now. We are glad to be able to participate,” Rodriguez said.

The X2 Double Rebate Xeriscape program and contest allows eligible commercial Water Authority customers to earn a double rebate (a water bill credit of $1.50 for every square foot) of steeply sloped or small area high-water-use turf converted to low-water-use plantings through October 31, 2011. For more information, visit www.abcwua.org or call The Hilltop at  898-9690.

Landscaping with dogs: it can be done!

Author: Nicolas Carpenter; Published: Apr 21, 2011; Category: Residential Landscaping; Tags: Dogs and Landscaping, Landscape Design, Residential Landscape; No Comments

Are you tired of looking out your back patio door to see holes, flattened plants or brown spots all over your lawn? Many home owners have trouble with pets destroying their landscapes. It can be very frustrating as a home owner constantly repairing irrigation line, cleaning up plants and patio furniture my three dogs have destroyed, but I can’t get rid of my dogs—they are my kids. I have finally beaten them at their own game, although it’s taking a lot of back-breaking effort, not to mention time and money.

I have tried numerous ways to keep them safe while keeping my yard intact while I’m at work. One of the most important things to remember is that “a bored dog is a destructive dog.” Dogs need an area to do dog things such as dig, chase each other, or play with toys.

When I first bought my house the backyard was all dirt, but looking at dirt gets old very quickly. As I began to develop a few design ideas I always had my dogs in the back of my mind. Getting my design right the first time took some very careful planning. Dog runs don’t have to be eyesores. I built a dog run on the east side of the backyard so my dogs would have morning sun and afternoon shade. I originally made the fence out of horse wire and 4′ cedar posts, but one of my dogs kept getting out and touring the neighborhood while I was at work. I decided to build a solid 6′ cedar fence. Since I put up the new fence I have not had to retrieve my dog from the pound.

Inside the dog run I put about 4″ of gray crusher fines to give them a nice soft area for fun and games. It’s also important to give them a bathroom area. I waited about two days to see which area they chose and moved the dog houses and water bowl accordingly. Keep in mind dogs need shade so they don’t get sunburned, and have a cool place to sleep during the summer months.

After I had a place for the dogs while I’m at work, I designed the rest of the yard. I would have loved grass, but I knew grass would never stand a chance with three dogs, so that idea was thrown out. I used a combination of gravels ranging from crusher fines to cobblestone. Dogs do not like to walk on cobblestone or fractured rock, although they will if that’s the only choice. It’s possible to control your dog’s path around your yard. Most dogs will walk on the path with the least resistance.

Using mass plantings and cactus can also be a way to control your dogs traveling paths. Dogs are very curious animals, and will explore any new items in their yards. Some items they find more appealing than others. Landscaping with dogs is really about trial and error, and observation. Observing your dog’s patterns, personality and habits is the best way to take control of the situation.

There are many different dog breeds. If you are considering getting a dog, doing a little research on which breed is best for you and your landscape is a great idea. If you want to improve your backyard, a comprehensive plan from a qualified landscape designer can take your dog’s needs and habits into consideration for a more enjoyable backyard, and a happier dog.