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NEED SOME FRESH garden inspiration? You can find some in Sunset’s latest edition of “Western Garden Book of Landscaping: The Complete Guide to Beautiful Paths, Patios, Planting and More” (416 pages, Oxmoor House, $29.95).
As with most Sunset publications, it’s replete with provocative tips and ideas, and cool designs augmented with excellent photographs. The gardens in this edition are especially bold and dramatic.
They range in locales as different as beach and desert, mountain and valley, with a Hawaiian island thrown in, and design elements seen in them include stylish fireplaces and fire pits, colorful walls, arbors and trellises, paths, patios, pools, sheds and tool storage.
“We designed this book to showcase the West’s hottest garden design today as well as to inspire and empower gardeners to create their outdoor dream spaces,” says Kathleen Brenzel, Sunset’s garden editor, in a press release, noting that a similar effect can be achieved by either a talented DIY-er or landscape professional.
There are three main components that set this edition apart from previous ones, including the last edition released six years ago:
A focus on earth-friendly garden design highlighting permeable paving, use of recycled materials, recirculating water features, water-wise and native plants, and low-voltage lighting.
Expert tips from both established and emerging garden professionals.
Ideas and secrets from first-time gardeners who share their lessons from recent landscape remodel.
But then there is that Sunset sensibility of practicality and awareness that runs through every design. You can see it in the city sanctuary, an urban backyard retreat done on a small budget; a front-yard veggie garden; a simple Zen-like garden; a backyard meadow; a beachfront getaway that stands up to the winds and salt spray; small rooftop gardens; larger outdoor living “rooms” and a shade-producing Turkish-inspired lounge.
What’s new at Sloat
Every year, Sloat Garden Center has a winter get-together at its Kentfield store where new and established vendors set up display tables.
There’s always a taco bar and fun beverages to sample as staffers and local journalists browse the tables to see what’s in store for spring.
“It’s like a mini-convention,” explains longtime Sloat marketing manager Scott Peterson.
It allows store managers and team members from Sloat’s nine Bay Area stores to speak directly to many of the manufacturers, growers, designers and distributors of the products sold at Sloat.
Here are four new items soon to be on Sloat shelves:
DriWater: DriWater is a time-release gel pack that breaks down in the soil and percolates down to a plant or tree’s root zone at a consistent rate for a healthier plant. “They take the guesswork out of watering,” Peterson says. DriWater is made up of 98 percent water and 2 percent food grade ingredients, and one gel pack provides up to 30 days of constant watering. It’s ideal for houseplants when you’re away on vacation. A twin pack will cost about $5.
Environmental Factor Grub Nematodes: “This is a great, natural way to battle grubs in the lawn,” he says. “The nematodes have long-lasting effects and replace the need to use heavy synthetics that bad for our waterways.” The spray-on product is sprayed also claims to take care of flea infestations in the yard. $24.99.
Ecoscraps compost: “This is a great all-natural compost from (mostly local) fruits and veggies,” Peterson says. “A lot of customers are opposed to having manure in their compost and the guys behind the company have the right idea by recycling and reusing produce scraps. We throw away so much food in this country.” The compost costs $7.99 for a 1-cubic foot bag.
Epic Gopher Scram: “Gophers have become a problem in the Bay Area, destroying ornamentals, edibles and lawns,” he explains. “Many of our customers don’t want to trap them, which is our top recommendation, or poisoning them. “Epic Gopher Scram is organic, does not kill gophers but rather acts as a strong repellent that causes gopher food to taste bad, and their tunnels and surrounding soil to smell bad, but not to humans,” he says. It costs $21.99 for 3.5-pound container.
PJ Bremier may be contacted at P.O. Box 412, Kentfield 94914, or at pj@pjbremier.com.
