Announcing

the new, the improved, the long-awaited

APLD California Chapter Web Site

It’s finally here!  You’ve all been waiting patiently for many months, and now the fully redesigned and rebuilt APLD California Chapter web site is ready.  Here’s some information to help you get started using the new system.

Our web site was installed at its new home late on Thursday, November 29, 2007.  Although the permanent name of the web site—APLDCA.ORG—has not changed, the physical location of the site has changed.  To accommodate the transition, the site has been installed under a temporary name, APLDCA.COM.  Right now, you can use either name to access the site.  In a few weeks, the name APLDCA.COM will be withdrawn and we’ll switch back to our permanent name.

Some highlights of the new site include:

1.  A completely new look and feel, including banner art created especially for us.

2.  A new Find a Designer function, listing Certified and Associate members, with both zip code proximity and last name search features.

3.  An analogous Membership Directory function, listing all members regardless of category, with the same search features.

4.  A new Events calendar with significant improvements over the old.

5.  A new Members section that will be enhanced and added to over time.

6.  New photographic images of member-designed gardens.  (Many thanks to all those of you who took the time and trouble to submit images for consideration!!)

Our development contract allows for a 30 day warranty period, during which any problems that arise are fixed at no charge to us.  Therefore, during the next month, we ask that each member do the following:

1.  Try out all navigation and features of the site and report any problems that you find to Sharon Gibson at sbgi@att.net.

2.  Look yourself up in the Find a Designer function (or the Membership Directory if you are an Allied, Educator, or Student member), and report any problems with your member data to membership@apldca.org.  For the first month, please copy Sharon Gibson at sbgi@att.net on any problems that you report.

3.  Please note that the email address “info@apldca.org” is being abandoned because the name is too common and therefore attracts far too much spam.

The Web Site Redesign Team recognizes that no solution is ever perfect, so we heartily encourage your comments and feedback.  Please send your feedback directly to Sharon Gibson at sbgi@att.net.

I’d like to personally express my appreciation to the other members of the Web Site Redesign Team — Maureen Decombe, Kelly Greenwood, Ketti Kupper, and Li Vellinga — for their contributions to this project.  Many thanks, everyone, for a fun and fulfilling experience!!

And thanks to all our members for your patience.  We hope you enjoy the new web site, and can feel proud to refer your clients to it.  Here are links for both site names.

http://www.apldca.org/

http://www.apldca.com/ (temporary)

Sharon Gibson, for the APLD California Chapter Web Site Redesign Team.

Peninsula District Resource Field Trip

By Laura Schaub

The Peninsula District had another great Resource Field Trip this October, with a busload of designers heading over to the east bay. First stop was American Soil & Stone and Urban Farmer in Richmond, where we explored an enormous selection of cut and natural stone and other garden materials. The staff there was great, answering all of our questions, and their new website (http://www.americansoil.com) is beautiful and comprehensive...check it out!

Next stop, much anticipated by all, was Annie's Annuals. The red wagons dispersed in all directions and the cargo area of the bus quickly filled with rare finds and old favorites. It was a gorgeous day to see Annie's fall gardens in full bloom, and for fans of her plants this was indeed a pilgrimage...see our happy faces! Annie's is having their big year-end sale now...see their website (http://www.anniesannuals.com/) for info and availability.

On to the 4th Street Shops in Berkeley for a leisurely lunch and shopping break, then down San Pablo Avenue to pay a visit to Ohmega Salvage, with two locations across the street from each other, where there is something for everyone, from Victorian hinges and doorknobs to huge architectural elements salvaged from all over the state. Many small treasures and good ideas were taken away from this stop! Visit their website: http://www.ohmegasalvage.com/

Last on our agenda was Urban Ore... http://urbanore.ypguides.net... reclaimed and salvaged materials on a massive scale. Then it was back on the bus one last time for happy hour and a peaceful ride home. It was a fun, informative day for friends old and new to spend together. We'll be doing it again next year, so stay tuned!

Welcome to our New APLD California Members:

Water-Smart Makeover Contest - Saves Water and Money in Sacramento

By Cheryl Buckwalter - Landscape Liaisons, Associate Member APLD

Water, water everywhere?  Well, not really.  As landscape designers, we understand that water is one of our most precious and dwindling natural resources, but do our clients and homeowners know this?  Furthermore, how can we as designers help our clients learn about how they can make a difference - how they can conserve water - one household at a time?  Designing water efficient landscapes that incorporate sustainable practices is a passion of mine, so when I was asked to volunteer as the Project Manager for The Ultimate Water-Smart Garden Makeover Contest, I jumped at the opportunity.

This summer the Regional Water Authority and its 22 participating water providers sponsored this Contest to help raise water conservation awareness in the Sacramento region.  By entering the Contest, homeowners could learn how to incorporate "water smart" gardening practices into their landscapes, reducing water consumption and saving money - all of this in addition to having a beautiful landscape!

All it took to enter the Contest was for homeowners to complete an entry form and have their local water providers conduct a free "house call" to evaluate their water usage, both indoors and outdoors. The Grand Prize: A front yard landscape makeover valued at approximately $40,000.  While more than 700 customers entered the Contest, the randomly selected Grand Prize Winners live in Folsom, CA.  Soon after the announcement, the conversion of this high water-consuming yard began.  Installation took place during August and September and the public unveiling ceremony was held on September 21st.  

Landscape architect Christy Tveit designed a beautiful, water-efficient landscape and irrigation system.  To showcase just of few of the many options homeowners have available to them, elements of the makeover included a low-volume irrigation system and a "smart" controller, low-water use vegetation appropriate for this region, permeable pavers, and a decorative container planting complete with drip emitters.  To replace the once extensive lawn, various ornamental grasses were used such as Festuca ovina glauca (Blue Fescue), Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue Oat Grass), and Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus' (Maiden Grass).  Located on a busy street, the winners rarely used their front yard, so the design also incorporated berming and a dry-stack wall to help "reclaim" this yard, creating a quaint seating area and that much needed privacy.  When the conversion was complete, the only remaining items from the original yard were a Pistache tree, Ligustrum hedge (for screening), and the driveway. 

To help us gather statistics about the amount of water this type of landscaping can conserve, consumption is carefully being monitored by Don Smith with the City of Folsom's Utilities Department.  A reduction of more than 50% in water use was shown by the end of the first month after installation, which translates into saving money and water -- that very important natural resource.

Labor and materials for the Contest were generously donated by the following:

TruGreen LandCare - Project installation

Rain Bird® Irrigation Sales, Weathermatic/Smartline, John Deere Landscapes - Irrigation system components

Capital Nurseries, Village Nurseries, Figs Garden Center - Water-wise plants and trees

Bedrock Pave Stones, Pavestone®, Custom Curbs, and A&A Stepping Stone - Walkway, curbs, and utility access area

English Garden Care - One year's landscape maintenance (APLD Associate Member Karen Plarisan was key to securing this donation.)

Cojo Landscape Construction and Atlas Disposal - Demolition and waste bins

Beeler Blend and Fallen Leaf Tree Service - Pruning and bark mulch

Special thanks are extended to the Regional Water Authority and the City of Folsom.  It is hoped that this will be just the first of many Ultimate Water-Smart Garden Makeover Contests!

We as designers know that we don't need to have a "contest" to transform thirsty yards into "water-smart" landscapes.  We are fortunate to have the opportunity to do so every day through our designs that incorporate water-conserving, sustainable practices!

Learn more about the Contest and its participants (Partners) and see more before and after photos by visiting www.rwah2o.org.  Select the "Be Water Smart" logo on the left side of the screen, and then select "Ultimate Garden Makeover Contest" on the left side of the screen.

Designs by APLD Member wins multiple CLCA awards

River City Landscaping, Inc of Roseville has won three awards in the Sacramento Valley CLCA Beautification Awards. Beth Abalos, a member of the Sacramento Chapter of the APLD, designed the projects for the company.

The awards received were Custom Residential Achievement Award, Medium Residential First Place and the project voted the best of all the entries, the Sweepstakes Award for a Residential Estate I category entered.