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marinij.com
Trowel and Glove calendar for week of April 26

Friday, April 25, 2008

The 62nd annual Spring Garden Festival, with plant sales, lectures and demonstrations, is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 26 and 27 at the Marin Art & Garden Center at 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Ross. Members of the Marin Bonsai Club and the Marin Rose Society will be on hand to advise and demonstrate. Requested donation is $3.

Go to www.maagc.org or call 892-0594.

marinij.com

Friday, February 1, 2008
Sierra College Botanical Society presents seminar on native gardens.

The Sierra College Botanical Society opens its spring semester lecture series at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 with "Designing, Building and Managing a Native Garden," a lecture to introduce the do-it-yourself home gardener to creating a sustainable, low-maintenance and water-conserving garden.

Information: (916) 789-2703, www.lincolnnewsmessenger.com.

Thursday, January 24, 2008 / Sierra College
The Sierra College Botanical Society opens its spring semester lecture series on Thursday evening, February 14 at 7 PM with “Designing, Building and Managing a Native Garden” a lecture to introduce you, the do-it-yourself home gardener, to creating a sustainable, low-maintenance, and water conserving garden around your home.

This presentation will be held on the Rocklin Campus in Sewell Hall Room 111. Admission is a $5 donation at the door.

Information: (916) 789-2703, www.rocklintoday.com.

Monday March 10th at 7:30 PM
The University of California, Santa Cruz, Arboretum is offering the program "Designing California Native Gardens" at 7:30 p.m. March 10.

The program is with author Alrie Middlebrook, co-author with Glenn Keator of a new book by the same name. A pot luck begins at 6:30 p.m.

Information: (831)459-3240, arboretum.ucsc.edu.

Friday Jan 11th, 2008
Arlie Middlebrook discusses "Designing California Native Gardens,"
Borders Books & Music, 11160 Rancho Carmel Drive, San Diego, 7 p.m. (858) 618-1814.

The California Native Plant Society hosts a California native plant sale, book signing and presentation at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at Casa del Prado, Room 101, Balboa Park, San Diego. Plant sale begins at 6:30 p.m. with plants from local native plant nurseries, including Tree of Life and Las Pilitas. Alrie Middlebrook, author of "Designing California Native Gardens: the Plant Community Approach to Artful Ecological Gardens," will discuss California native garden design and sign her book. Free. Visit www.cnpssd.org or e-mail info@cnpssd.org

..."Designing California Native Gardens" (University of California Press, $27.50), by Glenn Keator and Alrie Middlebrook, is a gorgeous full-color book with several chapters geared to Inland Empire gardeners. "Desert Gardens" and "Chaparral," for example, deal with drought-tolerant landscaping, while "Montane Meadows" and "Mixed-Evergreen Forest" feature mountain gardening. "Oak Woodland" and "Grasslands" are for foothill and valley environments, respectively...

Tomorrow Matters produced and hosted by Deborah and Spencer Lindsay, focuses on the local environmental solutions to the global ecological crises for a better world tomorrow. Topics include climate change, peak oil, permaculture, green business, alternative transportation, renewable energy and more. Listen to this daily program on www.deborahlindsay.com to learn how the Central Coast is lowering their collective footprint and how you can make a difference in your life, one step at a time, because for all of us, tomorrow really matters.

Last month, I transplanted about 200 plants. When finished, I asked myself, “Why was that necessary?” Since moving plants already stressed by the long hot summer is risky, I uprooted only those with compelling reasons such as: too big, or too close to neighboring plants, or too much or too little sun. I left those that were the wrong color, texture and shape. In most instances, the underlying reality was, I should have paid better attention to plant characteristics, needs and intended location before buying and certainly before planting. In the future, the question to be answered is, “Is this the right plant for this place?” It will help to avoid costly, time consuming mistakes and increase the likelihood that both the plants and I will be happier with the results...

The advantages of native plant gardening can't be dismissed — less water usage, longer life, better for the local ecology.
For native plant gardener and designer Alrie Middlebrook, the question is simply what style you are looking for...

San Jose native garden designer Alrie Middle brook will lead a Monterey Bay regional plant discussion on Oct. 18 in Pacific Grove.
The presentation, entitled "Designing California Native Gardens ...

My September column presented several reasons as to why a lawn, especially a large expanse of decorative lawn, is no longer appropriate in Sonoma County. A small lawn for toddlers or puppies to roll about on is wonderful ...

"Lose your lawn" has been the call of a campaign spearheaded by Alrie Middlebrook, a California landscape professional and native plants specialist calling on people to mitigate their carbon-footprint by replacing their lawns with native gardens.

Middlebrook is a founder and president of Middlebrook Gardens, the award-winning design and building firm located in San José. The company is an innovator and industry leader ...

Los Gatan Alrie Middlebrook, founder of Middlebrook Gardens, a design/build firm specializing in California native gardening and sustainable landscaping ...

"“Designing California Native Gardens" by Glenn Keator and Alrie Middlebrook, published by University of California Press, is full of color photos. Each chapter describes an ecosystem, such as ...

If you're a plant person, you just might think that Kathy Finley has about the coolest job in Silicon Valley. I sure do. Consider:

She has all of San Jose's swanky Santana Row as her "canvas" for creating horticultural displays in bedding areas and containers.

She gets paid to shop for plants at Northern California's eclectic collection of retail and wholesale nurseries and growing grounds.

She has a crew of five to help install and maintain what she dreams up.

Her supervisors are always encouraging her to "go crazy, Kathy!"

For Immediate Release  

March 16, 2007                   

Contact:  

Gabriel McDowell                                              Alrie Middlebrook

(408) 757-3445                                                 (408) 292-9993

gabe@808media.com                                     info@middlebrook-gardens.com

Native Garden Designer Teams with Renowned Field Botanist in Ground Breaking New Book
  - Alrie Middlebrook Launches Sustainable Garden Education Tour-

SAN JOSE- Alrie Middlebrook, the San Jose-based native garden designer, 
artist, and sustainable landscaper teams with renowned field botanist 
Dr. Glenn Keator announcing the release of their highly anticipated book, 
“Designing California Native Gardens - The Plant Community Approach to Artful,
 Ecological Gardens,” published by UC Press.

The book champions the diversity and beauty of California's native plants 
and demonstrates how they can be brought into ecologically sound, attractive, 
workable, and artful gardens. It features sample plans for native garden designs 
accompanied by original drawings, color photographs, plant lists, tips on successful 
gardening with individual species, and more.

The book is available now for pre-order purchase online at: 
 www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/9478.html, and will be on bookstore shelves 
starting June 1, 2007.

“California native gardens are sustainable gardens. They are ecological, beautiful, 
and at the same time fight global warming by reducing CO2 emissions." said Alrie Middlebrook. 

The book release marks the beginning of Middlebrook's yearlong tour of California, 
where she'll be promoting the beauty and horticultural complexity of native gardens. 
Log onto www.middlebrook-gardens.com for more information on Alrie Middlebrook's appearances,
workshops and classes throughout the year.

Glenn Keator is a free-lance botanist, teacher, and writer in the Bay Area. 
His specialty is California native plants and he leads field trips throughout 
the state and beyond. He is author of; 
Introduction to Trees of the San Francisco Bay Area (UC Press); 
The Life of an Oak; 
Plants of the East Bay Parks; 
Complete Garden Guide to the Native Perennials of California.

# # #

For Immediate Release
April 16, 2007

Contact:
Gabriel McDowell
(408) 757-3445
gabe@808media.com

Alrie Middlebrook
(408) 292-9993
info@middlebrook-gardens.com


Middlebrook Gardens Announces Nursery Grand Opening
- Offers California Native Plants, Sustainable Gardening Solutions, Local Art -


SAN JOSE - Honor California’s rich natural heritage.
Join the community to celebrate the grand opening of
Middlebrook Gardens Nursery. May 5 - 6, 2007, at
Middlebrook Gardens, San Jose.

Middlebrook Gardens Nursery grand opening, Saturday,
May 5, Sunday, May 6, 2007, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at
Middlebrook Gardens, 76 Race Street, San Jose, CA
95126, (408) 292-9993, www.middlebrook-gardens.com.

The nursery is organized by the natural plant
communities of the region, reflecting the local
ecology. It was established by Middlebrook Gardens to
celebrate the beauty and ecological appropriateness of
California native plants and increase their
availability to the gardening public.

Choose from a hearty selection of native plants, learn
to create beautiful California native gardens, view
demonstration gardens and sustainable landscape
solutions, learn how original art can be incorporated
into the garden.

50 percent of proceeds from plant sales benefit the
California Native Garden Foundation, whose purpose is
to educate the public on the use of gardening with
natives and bring people closer to the natural plant
communities in which they live; to install new ethic
in gardening.

Plants from local native nurseries will be available
from; Native Revival Nursery; Suncrest Nursery;
Annie’s Annuals; Santa Barbara Botanical Garden;
Theodore Payne Foundation; Mines Road Native Nursery;
Central Coast Wilds; San Marcos Nursery; Cornflower
Farms; Forest Farms; Watershed Nursery and many other
quality nurseries.

Middlebrook Gardens Nursery will be open to the public
the first and third weekends of each month, May
through September, 2007, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the
following dates: May 5 – 6, May 19-20, June 2-3, June
16-17, July 7 – 8, July 21 – 22, August 4 – 5, August
18 – 19, September 1 -2, September 15 – 16, May 5 – 6.
For more information please visit
www.middlebrook-gardens.com, or call (408) 292-9993.

Middlebrook Gardens is an award winning design/build
firm specializing in California native gardening and
sustainable landscaping.  Located in San Jose,
California, Middlebrook Gardens is a leading voice in
the rising native gardening and sustainability
movement.


###


		

For Immediate Release                    

September 22, 2006                                                        Contact:  Gabriel McDowell 

                                                                                            (408) 757-3445    

                                                                                            gabe@808media.com 

"California Colors" Celebrates Fall Colors, West Coast Style!

- Middlebrook Gardens, Native Revival Nursery Host Open House/Plant Sale

SAN JOSE, CA -  Fall is the time to plant a California native garden! Celebrate, learn, and appreciate the beauty of California's native rich natural heritage at the first annual "California Colors" fall open house, hosted by Middlebrook Gardens and Native Revival Nursery. The event features garden tours, demonstration gardens, presentations and native plant sale.

"California Colors" takes place Saturday, October 14, 2006. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Middlebrook Gardens, 76 Race Street, San Jose, CA 95126 ( 408) 292-9993. Open to the public, free admission. For more information, please visit www.middlebrook-gardens.com, info@middlebrook-gardens.com. A portion of proceeds benefit the California Native Garden Foundation. More info at www.cngf.org.

"Be good to mother earth and be good to yourself," said Alrie Middlebrook. "Bring the beauty of California into your garden by planting California native plants."

Alrie Middlebrook is founder and president of Middlebrook Gardens, the award-winning garden design and building firm located in San Jose, California. Middlebrook Gardens is an innovator and industry leader the use of native plants and sustainable landscape technology. For more information, please visit http://www.middlebrook-gardens.com/, or call (408) 292-9993.

Native Revival Nursery is dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Bay Area. Their goal is to offer both plants and information to allow individuals to restore the ecology of their own backyard. For more information please visit www.nativerevival.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA RELEASE

June 1, 2006

Contact: Gabriel McDowell
(408) 757-3445
gabe@808media.com

Thirteen Ways To Stop Global Warming

- Alrie Middlebrook Leads Groundbreaking Garden Workshop -

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA ¾ Alrie Middlebrook, the San Jose-based sustainable landscape designer and California native gardening expert, leads an informative workshop entitled “Thirteen Ways to Stop Global Warming, Save Water and Have a Beautiful Natural Garden," at the Smart Gardening Faire, in Scotts Valley, CA, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The Smart Gardening Faire takes place on Saturday, June 24, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Sky Park, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066, (831) 438-1010. For more information, please visit www.smartgardening.org.

In " Thirteen Ways to Stop Global Warming, Save Water and Have a Beautiful Natural Garden," Alrie Middlebrook conducts an enlightening review of the materials, techniques, and science of sustainable/native gardening. She discusses the benefits of native gardening and their impact on global ecological health.

Alrie Middlebrook said, "Don’t blame global warming only on energy consumption and industrial pollution. If you really want to do something positive about your own health and the health of the planet, rip out your lawn and plant a California native garden!" 

ABOUT ALRIE MIDDLEBROOK

Alrie Middlebrook is recognized the world over as a leading expert on California native gardening, and is a committed advocate and leading practitioner of ecology-based landscaping. She has designed and built over 150 California native gardens. Her award-winning firm, Middlebrook Gardens, specializes in sustainable landscape technology. For more information, please visit: www.middlebrook-gardens.com, www.losethelawn.com, or call: (408) 292-9993.

ABOUT SMART GARDENING FAIRE

The Smart Gardening Faire is a free, one-day Event offering research-based, up-to-date best practices for sustainable gardening and landscaping.

The event features highly qualified speakers and local, gardening-oriented non-profit groups and private businesses to participate in offering information and other resources to advance smart gardening practices. The Faire includes a wide variety of informational presentations and activities, and complements the Monterey Bay Master Gardener's ongoing educational programs and project.

THIRTEEN WAYS TO STOP GLOBAL WARMING
Save Water and Have a Beautiful Natural Garden

1.      Plant a California native garden utilizing plants that naturally occur at your site.  Native plants thrive where they have evolved and are accustomed to, it can survive on annual rainfall.  The establishment period is 2 years. 

2.      Protect your watershed.  The less impervious surface you retain on your property, the more rainfall will stay on your property.  When you create a garden, try to retain all of your rainfall on your property.  If you have concrete on site, renew, reuse or recycle it in creative ways, such as breaking it up and re-laying it for a porous driveway or patio, stacking it for raised beds or planters, staining it and re-laying. It as attractive stepping stones or recycling it for future use by others.  City recycling centers will accept your broken concrete: http://www.sjrecycles.org/business/cddd-certified-facilities.htm

These facilities will let you pick up recycled concrete as well.

3.      Don’t use new concrete in garden construction. After the burning of fossil fuels, the manufacture of cement is the number two contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.  If you must use concrete, limit its use and request that ‘fly ash’ be used as an additive, or use porous concrete.  Fly ash is a byproduct of burning coal and in addition to being a filler actually improves the concrete.  Ask your contractor to add it to the mix.  http://www.flyash.com/flyashenvironment.asp

Porous concrete is comprised of pea gravel and concrete.  Water drains through it.  Several local concrete companies now supply porous or ‘pervious’ concrete, e.g. http://centralconcrete.com/pervious_concrete.html

4.      If you must irrigate, do not use spray/sprinkler systems.  A sizable amount of the water is lost to evaporation.  Use drip, soaker, bubbler, microspray or an underground irrigation system.  The one exception is using overhead spray to establish a native bunch grass/wildflower meadow during the establishment period.

5.      Lose your Lawn! Up to 60% of household water is used on lawns.  And throw away your lawn mower.  Two cycle engines are the most polluting engines  in America.  Replace your lawn with a native meadow, native ground cover or a turf substitute.  FieldTurf makes a replicated grass product that looks just like grass and has a natural feel, yet is manufactured from recycled plastic and ground up recycled tennis shoes.  It is guaranteed for 15 years.  http://www.fieldturf.com/product/nikeGrind.cfm

6.      Don’t use oil-derived pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or fertilizers.  Compost and keep worm bins.  Break the chemical dependence cycle.  If it has the word “kill” on the package, be very wary of buying it. Your soil is alive and these chemicals can kill your soil (yes, even the fertilizers). Iron-based slug killer and safer ‘organic’ pesticides on the market including pyrethrins, essential oils and soaps may work more slowly, but you will come out ahead in the end.  Reminder: All pesticides should be handled with care.  Read labels carefully.

7.      Register your garden as a certified national wildlife habitat. (National Wildlife Federation http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/createhabitat.cfm).  Encourage children to visit your garden.  Create places for frogs, birds, butterflies, toads and lizards.  Create a small water feature.  Leave detritus for animal cover and protection.  Be a part of educating the next generation to feel connected to Mother Earth and learning the responsibilities of protecting Her.

8.      Use solar power to operate fountains, gates, lighting and power in garden sheds and cottages.

9.      Grow some of your own food organically.  Plant fruit trees and vegetables as landscaping plants.  If you can’t harvest your food, contribute it to those who need it.  Work with local non-profit harvesting agencies such as Village Harvest:  http://www.villageharvest.org/

10.    Use recycled material and products and certified sustainable products in garden construction. Trex, for example, is made primarily with recycled plastic grocery bags, reclaimed pallet wrap and waste wood.  Beware: not all composite woods use recycled products.  Use ‘Forest Council Certified’ wood and other recycled materials existing on site.  Check http://www.RecycleWorks.org for materials you need.

11.    Buy from local suppliers.  Limit your driving.  Order materials online.  Have materials delivered to your site.  

12.    Use tree trimmings for mulch or recycled products like Pro-Chip, which is produced from curbside recycled garden waste.  Apply generously to a depth of three inches minimum.  It keeps your soil moist, reducing the need for irrigation.  Many local tree service companies will give you mulch for free.  Pro-Chip is available at local landscape supply companies, like South Bay Materials, as well as from BFI  http://www.interquix.com/organics/decmul.htm 

13.    Use weed cloth under mulch.  This will allow the native plants to become established by repressing invasive weeds that can sneak through mulch.  Four hours of weeding in the sun will having you wishing you had used weed cloth.  Install it from the start and smile every time you walk by your weed-free garden beds.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA RELEASE

Mar. 8, 2006

Contact: Gabriel McDowell
(408) 757-3445
gabe@808media.com

SAN FRANCISCO -  Imagine a future where gardens flourish, fresh water percolates through lush urban avenues, birds color the air with song, and people live in harmony with nature, while enjoying all the wonders of modern life. Imagine no further, because,  "The future is NOW…"

In association with Windemere Real Estate, Alrie Middlebrook, award winning sustainable garden designer, author & California native plant expert, and Rick Driemeyer of Both Sides of the Door have designed a series of five revolutionary gardens, called "Smart Gardens," reflecting a new aesthetic and ecological awareness in gardening.  By using all native plants, and eliminating use of pesticides, herbicides, and petroleum products, Smart Gardens provide stylish gardens that promote ecological health, at a fraction of the cost associated with the archaic gardening of the past.

"These gardens link us to the natural beauty of California by providing smart, elegant solutions to people with limited space, limited resources and a green heart," said Alrie Middlebrook.

"Smart Gardens" can be viewed at The San Francisco Flower & Garden Show at Cow Palace, March 15-19, 2006, as apart of Windermere Real Estate “Destination Living” exhibit, which depicts ideal settings for second homes. The gardens provide a sense of place and authenticity for five unique locations throughout the West: an upscale Urban Oasis, an Alpine Hideaway complete with mountain stream, a Waterside Retreat nestled against a grassy meadow, a winter Sunshine Getaway with its own sports turf putting greens and a Seaside Escape on the bluffs above the beach.

Here are some of the special features, you'll see in these gardens:

· A great-looking-all-the-time lawn substitute made from recycled plastics and ground up tennis shoes that requires no water, no chemicals, no lawn mower and it's guaranteed for 15 years.

· Re-used broken concrete has been stained and stacked to resemble the rustic stone walls in European farm villages, referred to as "urbanite."

· Solar energy-powered garden fountains, landscape lighting and driveway and pedestrian gates.

· Porous concrete for patios, driveways and parking. It is decorative and allows rainwater to percolate through it, not run off it. This replenishes the local groundwater and reduces excess fresh water from flowing to the San Francisco Bay, which upsets the Bay's ecology.

 · Recycled plastic and wood pulp products substituted for wooden decking. They have a stamped wood grain and come in many designer colors. These products will last for over 50 years, and their use assures that the impact on forests is greatly reduced.

· Gardens designed with native plants that connect people to the natural beauty of where we live, while creating healthy habitats for wildlife and reducing water, fertilizer and pesticide use.

· Decorative edible gardens that are horticulturally appropriate to local soils and sunlight. You can grow your own food or donate foods you grow to other, less fortunate, local people.

· Original art made from discarded junk - old tires, broken tiles and glass that have been reborn as elegant garden objects. Christina Yaconelli of Yellow Cottage Mosaics, and Charles Goldman, sculptor, have created works for this exhibit.

· Curb-side green waste transformed into organic mulch.

· Resurfaced old concrete that looks like bamboo, wood, steel or wicker.

· Balanced soil structure in garden environment that uses compost, compost tea, second use mulch i.e. cocoa bean hulls, composted manure, composted green waste, used coffee grounds etc.

· Site-specific irrigation that focuses water use where needed, thereby encouraging a deeper root base and better ability to withstand the effects of drought, fire, etc.

· A list of commonly found birds in each unique garden habitat and ideas you can use to encourage their presence.

· Familiar bird sounds and water noise and the fragrances of a walk on the wild side.

The San Francisco Flower & Garden show is the sixth largest in the world with 27 incredible display gardens, hands-on workshops and seminars for all ages, a marketplace of plants and the world's finest garden products, as well as live entertainment, international food, a beer and wine garden, and a new

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA RELEASE

June 1, 2006

Contact: Gabriel McDowell
(408) 757-3445
gabe@808media.com

Thirteen Ways To Stop Global Warming

- Alrie Middlebrook Leads Groundbreaking Garden Workshop -

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA ¾ Alrie Middlebrook, the San Jose-based sustainable landscape designer and California native gardening expert, leads an informative workshop entitled “Thirteen Ways to Stop Global Warming, Save Water and Have a Beautiful Natural Garden," at the Smart Gardening Faire, in Scotts Valley, CA, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The Smart Gardening Faire takes place on Saturday, June 24, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Sky Park, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066, (831) 438-1010. For more information, please visit www.smartgardening.org.

In " Thirteen Ways to Stop Global Warming, Save Water and Have a Beautiful Natural Garden," Alrie Middlebrook conducts an enlightening review of the materials, techniques, and science of sustainable/native gardening. She discusses the benefits of native gardening and their impact on global ecological health.

Alrie Middlebrook said, "Don’t blame global warming only on energy consumption and industrial pollution. If you really want to do something positive about your own health and the health of the planet, rip out your lawn and plant a California native garden!" 

ABOUT ALRIE MIDDLEBROOK

Alrie Middlebrook is recognized the world over as a leading expert on California native gardening, and is a committed advocate and leading practitioner of ecology-based landscaping. She has designed and built over 150 California native gardens. Her award-winning firm, Middlebrook Gardens, specializes in sustainable landscape technology. For more information, please visit: www.middlebrook-gardens.com, www.losethelawn.com, or call: (408) 292-9993.

ABOUT SMART GARDENING FAIRE

The Smart Gardening Faire is a free, one-day Event offering research-based, up-to-date best practices for sustainable gardening and landscaping.

The event features highly qualified speakers and local, gardening-oriented non-profit groups and private businesses to participate in offering information and other resources to advance smart gardening practices. The Faire includes a wide variety of informational presentations and activities, and complements the Monterey Bay Master Gardener's ongoing educational programs and project.

THIRTEEN WAYS TO STOP GLOBAL WARMING
Save Water and Have a Beautiful Natural Garden

1.      Plant a California native garden utilizing plants that naturally occur at your site.  Native plants thrive where they have evolved and are accustomed to, it can survive on annual rainfall.  The establishment period is 2 years. 

2.      Protect your watershed.  The less impervious surface you retain on your property, the more rainfall will stay on your property.  When you create a garden, try to retain all of your rainfall on your property.  If you have concrete on site, renew, reuse or recycle it in creative ways, such as breaking it up and re-laying it for a porous driveway or patio, stacking it for raised beds or planters, staining it and re-laying. It as attractive stepping stones or recycling it for future use by others.  City recycling centers will accept your broken concrete: http://www.sjrecycles.org/business/cddd-certified-facilities.htm

These facilities will let you pick up recycled concrete as well.

3.      Don’t use new concrete in garden construction. After the burning of fossil fuels, the manufacture of cement is the number two contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.  If you must use concrete, limit its use and request that ‘fly ash’ be used as an additive, or use porous concrete.  Fly ash is a byproduct of burning coal and in addition to being a filler actually improves the concrete.  Ask your contractor to add it to the mix.  http://www.flyash.com/flyashenvironment.asp

Porous concrete is comprised of pea gravel and concrete.  Water drains through it.  Several local concrete companies now supply porous or ‘pervious’ concrete, e.g. http://centralconcrete.com/pervious_concrete.html

4.      If you must irrigate, do not use spray/sprinkler systems.  A sizable amount of the water is lost to evaporation.  Use drip, soaker, bubbler, microspray or an underground irrigation system.  The one exception is using overhead spray to establish a native bunch grass/wildflower meadow during the establishment period.

5.      Lose your Lawn! Up to 60% of household water is used on lawns.  And throw away your lawn mower.  Two cycle engines are the most polluting engines  in America.  Replace your lawn with a native meadow, native ground cover or a turf substitute.  FieldTurf makes a replicated grass product that looks just like grass and has a natural feel, yet is manufactured from recycled plastic and ground up recycled tennis shoes.  It is guaranteed for 15 years.  http://www.fieldturf.com/product/nikeGrind.cfm

6.      Don’t use oil-derived pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or fertilizers.  Compost and keep worm bins.  Break the chemical dependence cycle.  If it has the word “kill” on the package, be very wary of buying it. Your soil is alive and these chemicals can kill your soil (yes, even the fertilizers). Iron-based slug killer and safer ‘organic’ pesticides on the market including pyrethrins, essential oils and soaps may work more slowly, but you will come out ahead in the end.  Reminder: All pesticides should be handled with care.  Read labels carefully.

7.      Register your garden as a certified national wildlife habitat. (National Wildlife Federation http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/createhabitat.cfm).  Encourage children to visit your garden.  Create places for frogs, birds, butterflies, toads and lizards.  Create a small water feature.  Leave detritus for animal cover and protection.  Be a part of educating the next generation to feel connected to Mother Earth and learning the responsibilities of protecting Her.

8.      Use solar power to operate fountains, gates, lighting and power in garden sheds and cottages.

9.      Grow some of your own food organically.  Plant fruit trees and vegetables as landscaping plants.  If you can’t harvest your food, contribute it to those who need it.  Work with local non-profit harvesting agencies such as Village Harvest:  http://www.villageharvest.org/

10.    Use recycled material and products and certified sustainable products in garden construction. Trex, for example, is made primarily with recycled plastic grocery bags, reclaimed pallet wrap and waste wood.  Beware: not all composite woods use recycled products.  Use ‘Forest Council Certified’ wood and other recycled materials existing on site.  Check http://www.RecycleWorks.org for materials you need.

11.    Buy from local suppliers.  Limit your driving.  Order materials online.  Have materials delivered to your site.  

12.    Use tree trimmings for mulch or recycled products like Pro-Chip, which is produced from curbside recycled garden waste.  Apply generously to a depth of three inches minimum.  It keeps your soil moist, reducing the need for irrigation.  Many local tree service companies will give you mulch for free.  Pro-Chip is available at local landscape supply companies, like South Bay Materials, as well as from BFI  http://www.interquix.com/organics/decmul.htm 

13.    Use weed cloth under mulch.  This will allow the native plants to become established by repressing invasive weeds that can sneak through mulch.  Four hours of weeding in the sun will having you wishing you had used weed cloth.  Install it from the start and smile every time you walk by your weed-free garden beds.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA RELEASE

Mar. 8, 2006

Contact: Gabriel McDowell
(408) 757-3445
gabe@808media.com

SAN FRANCISCO -  Imagine a future where gardens flourish, fresh water percolates through lush urban avenues, birds color the air with song, and people live in harmony with nature, while enjoying all the wonders of modern life. Imagine no further, because,  "The future is NOW…"

In association with Windemere Real Estate, Alrie Middlebrook, award winning sustainable garden designer, author & California native plant expert, and Rick Driemeyer of Both Sides of the Door have designed a series of five revolutionary gardens, called "Smart Gardens," reflecting a new aesthetic and ecological awareness in gardening.  By using all native plants, and eliminating use of pesticides, herbicides, and petroleum products, Smart Gardens provide stylish gardens that promote ecological health, at a fraction of the cost associated with the archaic gardening of the past.

"These gardens link us to the natural beauty of California by providing smart, elegant solutions to people with limited space, limited resources and a green heart," said Alrie Middlebrook.

"Smart Gardens" can be viewed at The San Francisco Flower & Garden Show at Cow Palace, March 15-19, 2006, as apart of Windermere Real Estate “Destination Living” exhibit, which depicts ideal settings for second homes. The gardens provide a sense of place and authenticity for five unique locations throughout the West: an upscale Urban Oasis, an Alpine Hideaway complete with mountain stream, a Waterside Retreat nestled against a grassy meadow, a winter Sunshine Getaway with its own sports turf putting greens and a Seaside Escape on the bluffs above the beach.

Here are some of the special features, you'll see in these gardens:

· A great-looking-all-the-time lawn substitute made from recycled plastics and ground up tennis shoes that requires no water, no chemicals, no lawn mower and it's guaranteed for 15 years.

· Re-used broken concrete has been stained and stacked to resemble the rustic stone walls in European farm villages, referred to as "urbanite."

· Solar energy-powered garden fountains, landscape lighting and driveway and pedestrian gates.

· Porous concrete for patios, driveways and parking. It is decorative and allows rainwater to percolate through it, not run off it. This replenishes the local groundwater and reduces excess fresh water from flowing to the San Francisco Bay, which upsets the Bay's ecology.

 · Recycled plastic and wood pulp products substituted for wooden decking. They have a stamped wood grain and come in many designer colors. These products will last for over 50 years, and their use assures that the impact on forests is greatly reduced.

· Gardens designed with native plants that connect people to the natural beauty of where we live, while creating healthy habitats for wildlife and reducing water, fertilizer and pesticide use.

· Decorative edible gardens that are horticulturally appropriate to local soils and sunlight. You can grow your own food or donate foods you grow to other, less fortunate, local people.

· Original art made from discarded junk - old tires, broken tiles and glass that have been reborn as elegant garden objects. Christina Yaconelli of Yellow Cottage Mosaics, and Charles Goldman, sculptor, have created works for this exhibit.

· Curb-side green waste transformed into organic mulch.

· Resurfaced old concrete that looks like bamboo, wood, steel or wicker.

· Balanced soil structure in garden environment that uses compost, compost tea, second use mulch i.e. cocoa bean hulls, composted manure, composted green waste, used coffee grounds etc.

· Site-specific irrigation that focuses water use where needed, thereby encouraging a deeper root base and better ability to withstand the effects of drought, fire, etc.

· A list of commonly found birds in each unique garden habitat and ideas you can use to encourage their presence.

· Familiar bird sounds and water noise and the fragrances of a walk on the wild side.

The San Francisco Flower & Garden show is the sixth largest in the world with 27 incredible display gardens, hands-on workshops and seminars for all ages, a marketplace of plants and the world's finest garden products, as well as live entertainment, international food, a beer and wine garden, and a new

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