(from a questionnaire on Bob Cleaver's web site)
PROJECT DESIRES:
I have 1 acre of land, and the nature here is magnificent and it seems a violation to impose on it - but perhaps we can give it a gentle helping hand ;-) Because for now 2 years (since I bought it), I feel I have not really been able to enjoy the outdoors.
As mentioned before, here are specific challenges:
1. getting visual screening to neighbor and Alpine road
2. establishing outdoor "rooms" where I would like to hang out - and not have to wear parkas and mittens to shield for the winds
3. trying to make good sense of 1 acre is too much for my own design skills: I would like to have the basics established - the "good bones" - so it would be easier for me to take on small projects
Describe your family members and their primary outdoor activities to be done at home.
- family = me
- ideally: hanging out with a book, my work, or entertaining (mostly grown-ups)
Describe what kind of gardeners you are or wish to be.
- lazy! or rather unpredictable, occasionally inspired to do new planting, pruning, etc ;-)
- and for the ongoing maintenance in the past I had a self-taught helper spend approx. 6 hours every week ( every other week during winter months) checking irrigation and drains, cleaning, weeding, doing small projects for me etc.
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List the elements that you would expect to see in your garden.
Veggie garden:
mostly as planters near the kitchen - i.e., herbs, tomatoes, basil
Mini orchard??? In my previous home (Emerald Hills in Redwood City) I had dozens of cherry, almond, peach and plum trees plus several citrus trees. Most of them were old but producing faithfully. Only the citrus and peaches needed significant watering in growing season.
New entry
yes! Some serious work is needed to make the entryway more "communicative": where to go, where to park the car, ... and more inviting
Play area for children ages ?
N/A
Entertainment area (how many guests, how often, when, what type of event?)
informal garden parties, food/buffet, wine etc. for unpredictable number of people (12-28)
Meadow
I bought this property very much because of the unfettered view down towards the far (low) end of the meadow and then I raise the eyes gradually seeing depths of trees, ending with the Skyline ridge in the very back.
I absolutely don't want this area "manicured" or overly structured/built
List accomplishments you would like in your garden.
A quiet corner
I love to sit outside and work - under trellis or umbrella; problem with winds! It has to be close to the house; otherwise I am not likely to move out there with books, computer etc.
It is tempting also to think of small seating areas in the top oak grove (between street and house), in the lower redwood grove. Thinking of places to be when it is way too hot, or when it is way too windy on the south side
A dramatic scene for viewing
Important not to obstruct my million dollar view. My view is in several dimensions. Both a panoramic 180 degree view of the hills. And the expanse of the view looking from the house downwards to the end of the property. There is a beautiful oak down there, with lots of moss hanging from its branches.....
Privacy from the street
I need some planting to block the look into the LR and future study, but the planting must be in harmony with the oaks.
Find a balance about deer:
I could fence in the property and be over with the deer problem, but I kind of like to see the deer pass through in the early evening. I am leaning towards potentially fencing in a part (orchard) and just be selective on plants and diligent w/ liquid fence
A style and what that means to you:
Native Californian - but I am not a fundamentalist ;-) - To me it is important that the plants look like they are "at home" and that they like the climate and doesn't need too much fuss (water, care, etc).. So, I prefer native and drought tolerant plants both ecologically and aesthetically - however, I also love orchards ;-)
Drought tolerant - but again, I am not unreasonable: it would be ok to irrigate in the first couple of years to get the plants established and get some early fast growth, but the end goal should be an extremely drought tolerant landscape
In terms of hardscape and decor: I am a severe minimalist, with a lot of appreciation of a single surprising and possibly not-at-all-useful effect if it is clever!. I like when plain materials are being used in interesting new ways, e.g. a plant trellis made of rebar that looked beautiful against a stucco wall. Plain sidewalk concrete pavers can look beautiful if cut in interesting shape (e.g., into halves on the long side), laid with thyme or similar green stuff between
List your likes/dislikes/things that have impressed you.
A certain color(s), plant type
Absolutely no pansies -- How about a million different sages and grasses
Other gardens you have enjoyed and why
I admire the designs of piet oudolf - can spend hours drooling over his books (e.g., designing with plants).
I have seen pictures of some of Ron Lutsko's landscapes and find them beautiful, stunning
BASE INFORMATION:
Site Plan:
Property boundaries with bearings and distances (or limit of project area)
Here is a survey file with all the contours etc. It is a pdf file that - if opened from acrobat, will print out to scale in 24" x 36" format
http://www.goldenoak.us/SurveyNov2008.pdf - I also have a dwg file if preferred...
Location of house, proposed additions, other structures, trees, special site features
- (see above)
- And check out http://picasaweb.google.com/elinsphotos/GardenPerimeter# There are a couple of pictures of the existing perimeter planting plus a photo of a site analysis that was done last year; I am not sure it is very helpful though.
- I have a copy of a 2004 soil report (http://www.goldenoak.us/SoilReport.pdf) - originally created for the planning of the Tuscan villa that the prev. owners designed for the lot.
Elevations of site improvements, 2’ contours (elevations) of site
(see survey)
Architecture:
Footprint of foundations
I can provide drawings if we go forward
Door/window locations at all levels
Still being worked on w/ architect
Room descriptions
Elevations of building facades
Finished floor level approx 18" above ground on south side, approx. 12" on north side
Future additions anticipated
I can provide drawings if we go forward
