Field Notes for April

 Welcome back to Field Notes!

April 1, 2024

I'm loving the mix of weather forecasts as we move into April! We have clouds, sun, partly cloudy, rain, and a high of 72 degrees one day and a low of 42 degrees one night. For someone who loves weather, this is a great week! I'm also grateful for the extra rain for our newly planted landscape.

 

Some warm weather followed by a "cold snap" in the Bay Area! 

April 3, 2024

When the sun comes out, the air is sparkly clean this time of year. Any pollutants have been washed away with the rain, or blown away by spring breezes. The flowering trees are in bloom all around the San Francisco Bay Area, no doubt responding to the rain and warm days. I've been enjoying this Prunus spp. on my afternoon walk around Bishop Lake. It's already starting to leaf out.

The beauty of a flowering tree in the landscape

April 6, 2024

I'm excited to be attending the online "Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour & Green Home Features Showcase" this weekend. Doug Tallamy is the keynote speaker and many presentations and online garden tours are scheduled. The online event started in 2020, when the uncertainties of COVID-19 sent everything into lockdown. Turns out the online event was well received - expanding its reach to those out of the Bay Area and those who were unable to attend in person. This year's in-person garden tours are scheduled for the first weekend in May. Visit the website to learn more.

Bringing Back the Natives is celebrating their 20 year anniversary!

April 8, 2024

The wisteria is in bloom here in the Bay Area. This canopy of blossoms provides shelter from the sun over a popular food court. What could be better than eating lunch under the lovely purple flowers! The bees love them, but are too busy among the flowers above to investigate the diners below.

Wisteria is in bloom!

April 12, 2024

Now that the magnolia tree has been removed, I can really appreciate the gnarly, shredding bark of the stately juniper in the lower yard!

Juniper bark

April 17, 2024

A large mural was recently added to Bishop Ranch in San Ramon. The mural is comprised of multiple large, floor to ceiling panels, and depicts many favorite places in San Ramon and beyond. The artist is Julia Gash who specializes in this unique style of travel art. You can view the artwork on the first floor near the Roundhouse, at 2600 Camino Ramon in San Ramon during business hours.

San Ramon (c) by Julia GASH - the Iron Horse Trail is at the top right!

Landscaping: Finished!

The landscaping project is finished. After almost two months of demolition, deep pruning, grading, construction, and planting, our landscaping project has come to an end. The last loose ends have been tied ups, so the only thing remaining is a walkthrough to kick off the warranty period.

The heuchera and grasses are starting to take hold

The property is a triangular shape and on a gentle slope. Its main feature is a large oak that spreads its long branches and casts dappled shade throughout the day. The garden design features several zones including a woodland meadow, a succulent rock garden, a sunny meadow, and the lush lower yard with its vegetation screen. The plants are either local native or Mediterranean, and all are drought tolerant. The landscape is designed as a wildlife garden with keystone plants for food and shelter.

The succulent rock garden is like a mini-desert scape

The old concrete paths have been reset, a new slab path has replaced the old concrete entry path, and wood bark paths have been added throughout the yard. Several railroad-tie steps help you navigate grade changes.

Juniper tree in the lower yard is now exposed

Several legacy trees were removed, including two mature magnolias, a "big-bonsai-ed" juniper, and several self-seeded trees. This makes the property seem very exposed and a little bare now, but it also exposed the beauty of the oak and the juniper tree in the lower yard. It also paved the way for replacing them with native trees and shrubs. We chose to use shrubs instead of fencing. We already have some shrub barriers, but more have been planted. It will take some time to get there.

Path to the lower yard

The broken irrigation system has been replaced by a drip system. Even drought tolerant plants need water to get established. The rain is helping them get a good start, and we will water in the heat of summer, but once established most of the plants will only need a periodic summer drink.

Utilitarian (but beautiful) gate in the lower yard

We added a gate in the lower yard and planted shrubs to replace the old dilapidated fence (on which lichen and moss once grew in beautiful abundance). Once the shrubs are established, this will look a little more protected and provide a shady spot for birds to enjoy their berries and seeds. In the upper yard, the low lights on the entry path guide visitors to the front door. The lights are on a timer, and are not as bright as the original pole light. This should reduce light pollution, while retaining safety.

Pathway lights in the rain

This was a large project for us, but very satisfying. We worked with an excellent landscaping team, which listened to our ideas and then improved upon them. The work crew was also excellent, experienced, and very conscientious. Now, we just need time for nature to do its work. Soon the plants will fill in and gain their full size, and the full vision of a native, wildlife-friendly landscape will be realized.

Urban Pastoral

Spring has come to the San Francisco Bay Area (made all the better because of all the rain we've received). The path around Bishop Lake in San Ramon is well used by office tenants and those from the surrounding community. The landscaping provides a slice of nature in the midst of an urban center, and a great place to enjoy a solitary walk, walk the dog, or meet up with friends or workmates, 

Urban pastoral in San Ramon

On this day, some ducks and geese rested on the water, while a cormorant sits high in a tree surveying the scene. In the foreground, the rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is in full bloom.