Investing resources (and money) in irrigation is an unavoidable fact of life for many Bay Area homeowners. While drought-resistant landscaping has helped some in the region reduce their water bills, many families need grassy areas for their kids to play or to engage in their hobbies. If your family makes regular use of the lawn, investing in artificial turf may be a great way to cut down on water and maintenance, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your yard. Read more

Everyone knows about spring cleaning, but some forget this annual ritual pertains to the yard as well as the home. After sitting dormant all winter, your lawn and plant beds need some freshening up to help them thrive throughout the spring and summer. Here are five maintenance steps to set your garden up for success: Read more

Before hiring a company to service the trees on your property, there are several things you’ll need to inquire about, from licensing and insurance to scheduling and payment. However, there are a few questions many homeowners don’t think to ask, but should. Here are five things to ask a tree service company:

1. How experienced is your team?

When it comes to working with trees, the stakes are fairly high. After all, trees are living things, which is why tree service technicians have more in common with physicians than handymen. That’s why it’s important to hire a tree service company that possesses an adequate level of knowledge and experience in its field. Read more

This has already been a significant year for wildfires in California, with the Mendocino Complex Fire growing to the biggest in state history and Yosemite National Park closing to visitors for nearly three weeks. Unfortunately, the wildfire season isn’t over yet. In the Bay Area, we have at least another month until the autumn rains arrive, which means wildfires remain a risk for local residents. Read more

Guest post by Stephen Wood of EW Landscape, Inc.

After enjoying a bottle of wine, you probably discard the empty bottle into the recycling bin. However, did you know that empty bottle can be used to irrigate a plant on your landscape? Read more

While drought conditions have subsided in the Bay Area, water conservation remains as important as ever. After all, there’s no telling what the future holds, and if the past has taught us anything, it’s that we can’t afford to take our most precious resource for granted. So, if you haven’t already taken steps to reduce your water consumption, now is the time. Read more

Soil erosion occurs when loose portions of topsoil are displaced, usually by wind or rain. For the most part, erosion is a natural process, but it can become a problem when weather conditions accelerate the rate of topsoil loss, such as on a cliff or hillside following heavy rains. With so many neighborhoods in the Bay Area built on steep terrain, many homeowners worry about soil erosion and the accompanying landslide risk during the rainy season. Making major investments in retaining walls or foundation reinforcement is one option, but there are less costly measures homeowners can take to help protect their properties as well. Read more