Herb Gardening!

When designing herb gardens I start by making a sun/shade study of the site to determine the best location for my plot. There is usually a need for some type of dividing element or screen, so pineapple and strawberry guava provide a nice natural element for the purpose, as well as giving back to us in the form of the their delicious fruit.

Once my beds are laid out to my satisfaction, I start with the basic herbs that any chef would need; Italian parsley, sweet basil, rosemary, oregano and thyme. Mint is also a basic but should be kept in a pot as it can become invasive.

Some of the more unusual choices I like to incorporate are: tasoi, black kale, winter savory and sorrel. Tatsoi is used as a micro green and is a member of the cabbage family. Black kale has a smooth rich texture and is a nice alternative to green kale. Black kale makes a tasty salad using lemon and olive oil.

Founded in 1992, Environmental Concept provides landscape design and installation services to the finest residential and commercial properties in Southern California. We are known for our specialty gardening and work closely with our clients to create personalized outdoor environments that are beautiful, functional and sustainable.

 All images copyright 2012 Sarah Barnard.

Santa Monica Mediterranean: Luxury Gardens in Small Space

 

 Tucked away in sea-side Santa Monica, California is a lovely custom Mediterranean home on a moderately sized residential lot. When the homeowner’s chose Alison Ross to design the landscape it was only natural for her to bring her longtime friend and colleague, Tania Gybels of Environmental Concept on to the project. The team of professionals ultimately created a garden with endless opportunities to enjoy the pleasant weather and endless benefits of Southern California’s outdoor lifestyle. By thoughtfully dividing up the available spaces the garden’s design encourages the residents to find enjoyment in uniquely functional spaces like the patio, outdoor kitchen and fireplace.

 

 

By using only the finest quality materials, this is a small scale garden where luxury abounds. All of the pathways, seat walls, fountain borders and outdoor fireplace are made of hand-cut Pennsylvania bluestone. With an extra special attention to detail and quality craftsmanship, Environmental Concept’s masons brought Ross’s vision to life.

 

When asked about the things that make the garden unique, Gybels explains how the design concept and quality gardening practices go hand-in-hand. “Because the garden is centered on specific forms created by the controlled shapes of the hedges and topiaries it is imperative that the horticultural maintenance be incredibly detailed to maintain the intended forms”. One of the primary elements that contribute to this concept is the boxwood hedge, Buxus (Green Beauty) which is a repeating element throughout.

 Other plant choices of note are the flowering vine over the garage, Rosa (Cecil Brunner) and the Bay trees (Laurus Nobilis) that impart a Tuscan feeling around the fountain.

 

 By planning the garden as functional interconnected zones and employing the finest craftspeople using only the best materials was a surefire recipe for an exemplary landscape installation.

 

 

Founded in 1992, Environmental Concept provides landscape design and installation services to the finest residential and commercial properties in Southern California. Environmental Concept has completed projects for the Spelling Mansion, Dustin Hoffman, Roland Emmerich, 3.1 Philip Lim Boutique, the Ambrose Hotel, Sunset Millennium Shopping Center, Hotel Casa del Mar and the Aquarium of the Pacific. Environmental Concept has been featured on HGTV and Oprah. For more information about Environmental Concept visit www.envconcept.com

Creating an Outdoor Living Area

The best way to create an effective outdoor living space is to analyze the wants and needs of the client and their family and match those necessities to specific solutions. Do they have children? Are there pets? What is the purpose of their landscape? Environmental Concept believes that every client is individual. Every situation and family that we have encountered has been different, but for the most part, the common factor is a wanting a comfortable livable space and outdoor extension of their home.

If the main purpose of the outdoor area is for entertaining, create a focal point by incorporating a fire pit or built-in kitchen for company to gather around. Aim for inviting.

The landscaped area should welcome guests to stay a while. Plan for the amount of guests your client typically accommodates.

If possible, use versatile seating arrangements.

Don’t limit your outdoor living space to only hardscaped terrain. Hardscape typically designates common areas and walkways, but consider permeable paving. Sprouting greens between the pavers not only feels great under your feet, it also allows water to drain to the soil below.

Work with the natural beauty of the environment by letting the terrain and region make decisions. Native planting incorporates indigenous vegetation that thrives in local areas. In turn, native plants require less water and maintenance than typical landscapes.

Always apply inspiration from the home’s architecture and design to the outdoor and stay true to the original style.

###

Environmental Concept’s philosophy is based upon a goal to restore, beautify & preserve California’s natural spaces for future generations. With a diverse team of professionals, Environmental Concept works to increase awareness about water conservation & sustainable eco-systems using mainly microdrip & weather-based irrigation controllers. For more information, please visit www.envconcept.com.

Edible Gardens in Los Angeles

So I’ve noticed as of late that we have been receiving many requests for vegetable and herb gardens. One of the great things about Los Angeles is that we can plant a lot of herbs and vegetables throughout the year, even in the winter.

We get our seeds from http://www.reneesgarden.com/. They have the best selection of heirloom varieties which I love. I like to seed about 40% of the garden while planting the remainder from “starts.” It’s great to see some foliage when the work is done, and I actually feel like the seeds are coaxed by the existence of life near them.

Some of the best edibles to plant for the fall and winter season in Los Angeles are:

Peas-Doesn’t everyone love peas, if not, then plant sweet peas for fragrance
Swiss Chard-One of the healthiest greens and very tasty with a bit of soy sauce
Spinach-So many uses
Onions-need I say more? The basis of all great cuisine, garlic and butter being the second runners up.
Mizuna- yummy Japanese green and great with ponzu dressing (and maybe a saketini)
Spring Mix greens-something you always need in your fridge
Parsley-Italian is my favorite and I use it almost every day
Oregano-just best when it’s fresh
Cilantro-Also a must in my kitchen
Johnny Jump ups and violas-are edible and pretty. I have candied them and used as decoration for cakes!
Companion planting through the use of calendula, garlic and rosemary inter-planted with the insect-prone plants is a wonderful preventative and also adds that “cottage garden” effect to the potager.

Always use organic soils, amendments, sprays and fertilizers in your edible garden, and your produce will taste it’s best. If there is one bit of horticultural advice I give to all of my clients in edible gardens as well as in the landscape, it is “always put the right plant in the right spot, and it will perform happily for you.”

So, whether you are an experienced gardener, or if you’re the type of person who wants to just leave a basket by the door to be filled with your home grown herbs and vegetables, your food can be grown in your own yard.

###

Environmental Concept provides earth-friendly landscape services to fine residences and commercial properties in Los Angeles, California. Tania Gybels brought her unique perspective to the world of Los Angeles horticulture in 1991. Her work has been featured on HGTV and Oprah. For more information, please visit http://www.envconcept.com/