Mar 4, 2024
Set it, forget it. Give plants the nutrients without all the hassle.
Irrigation in California’s Central Coast is a crucial supplement to little rainfall. For plants and gardens that need more, applying controlled amounts of water also contributes to soil moisture from groundwater.
Fertilization, too, supplements its environment. Plants need a number of chemical elements to grow and thrive, from nitrogen to potassium. Fertilization can help otherwise struggling plants flourish by simply bringing the soil up to their needs.
Fertigation is the combination of both supplements, serving as a nutrient delivery system for landscapes. Fertilizer is delivered in the irrigated water and can use drip irrigation, spray nozzles, or heads.
How We Do It
Madrone Operations Manager Erik Gorham has provided fertigation services for almost a decade. He uses the EZ-FLO products to treat a wide variety of landscape issues. The process is as simple as our trained Madrone team installing a dispensing system in the valve box connected to the main line of a preexisting sprinkler system. “You really can forget about it, because part of our landscape maintenance program includes filling the unit with fertilizer every four to six weeks,” Erik shares.
We use Red Frog Compost Teas as part of our organic fertilizer program. The compost tea improves soil and plant health by improving nutrient availability and retention in the soil. “Biology feeds the plant,” explains Erik. “Typically, what plants need is in the soil. But if your soil is depleted, the worm castings offer an excellent soil amendment that is safe around children and pets.”
Savings on labor and energy costs can quickly offset the initial investment in a fertigation system. A homeowner who lives in an area affected by drought or water restrictions may prefer fertigation because they can better manage the nutrients and water supply going to their landscape—as well as increase water efficiency. It also gives them the ability to add nutrients directly into the root zone that may be otherwise difficult to access.
Erik sees it as an affordable investment to every landscape. “You chose your plants carefully. Help them mature more quickly and stay healthy by using this easy fertilizer system all year round.”
Learn more about our maintenance services. For more details, contact us at [email protected] or (805) 466-6263.
Mar 9, 2023
Motivated to reduce water and improve curb appeal, this United Staffing Associates landscape is a stylistic and drought-tolerant retrofit for a previously generic, high-water landscape. We removed all lawn and replaced with drip-irrigated planting, decorative cobble, and a small area of artificial turf.
As a high-traffic location right along the main street of the City of Paso Robles, we took great care in selecting plants that will be attention-catching but hardy. The symmetry of the planting layout is intentionally modern and clean with a blend of colors that complement the company logo.
All this was done without having to disturb any of the existing pavement or parking lot—including during our irrigation retrofit. This transformed landscape was delivered with care both for the future and the present, reducing maintenance costs, water needs, and above all, creating a beautiful outdoor environment for everyone passing through.
Want more information on our landscape design services? Contact our landscape designers at [email protected] or (805) 466-6263.
Feb 15, 2023
Perched on a hilltop in Templeton, this new residence boasts sweeping view back into the valley. Madrone Landscape provided design-build services to capture and encourage the beauty of both the site itself and the area.
The house sits just below a small grove of valley oaks, providing an opportunity to highlight their arching structure and blend the landscape back into their shade. Lighting along the entry drive highlights the oaks and new trees, as well as providing for function, safety, and beauty in stairs at night.
Looking out over the valley is a bench is nestled underneath the existing oaks, just below the infinity edge pool. Lavenders, sages, rockrose, and grevillea provide colorful interest almost year round, while muhly and miscanthus provide a grassy backdrop and transition to native landscape.
The project includes multiple levels, with a variety of stairs and steps to transition between. A fenced garden area is positioned in a sunny location near the back patio, with a network of paths connecting the garden, patio, pool deck, seating areas, entry, and parking.
Olive, bay, and sumac provide evergreen screening and color, while chitalpa offers a splash of color on a sprawling trunk. Madrone design provided planting, irrigation, and lighting plans, as well as irrigations for the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
Want more information on our landscape design services? Contact our landscape designers at [email protected] or (805) 466-6263.
Feb 13, 2023
The owners of this scenic Creston ranch property requested a master plan for select areas throughout in order to improve both form and function. The goal was to keep the space as natural as possible while adding ample and varied space for entertaining and family gatherings.
Our design focuses on aesthetics, efficiency, and usability. Key elements include eye-catching plants such as Agaves and Phlomis at the front entrance, trees and greenery along the driveway, multi-use entertainment spaces, natural stone retaining walls, and more.
Close to the house is the main covered patio area with a stone-veneer fireplace and outdoor kitchen, space for a hot tub, and plenty of seating. Moving away from the residence, the landscape transitions to green lawn for family play, then planting space and dg paths that feather out into the natural expanse beyond. Smaller seating pockets are spread throughout the landscape in order to enjoy the views and the new landscape’s beauty.
Every plant picked achieves the owners’ desire for aesthetics while still achieving drought tolerance and low maintenance goals. The plant palette includes many Central Coast natives such as Manzanitas, Coffeeberry, Carex and Calamagrostis grasses. A re-designed irrigation system achieves maximum efficiency while the lighting plan ensures enjoyment even after dark.
Want more information on our landscape design services? Contact our landscape designers at [email protected] or (805) 466-6263.
Nov 30, 2022
Madrone was hired to design a low-water landscape and irrigation plan for a new commercial building on an existing half-acre empty lot in Paso Robles. The placement of trees and shrubs was critical to creating an appealing front entry and visual screen for the sizable building.
Native plant species were selected for year-round interest with low maintenance requirements. Tree plantings were arranged to enhance views toward the building entry, screen certain areas, provide seasonal interest, and shade during summer months. The company color, visible in a band on the building, has been reflected in seasonal color accents within the landscape.
As part of the design package, Madrone created a 3D landscape rendering to visually communicate both the landscape and proposed structure.
Want more information on our landscape design services? Contact our landscape designers at [email protected] or (805) 466-6263.
