Click on any image for slideshow:
North Berkeley after, a lovely shady space with river stone path.
North Berkeley before. Another drought-dead lawn in the shade.
North Berkeley after detail.
Crocker HIghlands in progress.
Crocker Highlands after. The finished garden includes brick and slate patios, a small lawn, ornamental plantings and a gazebo.
Oakland front before. A dead lawn, ivy and failing steps and walkway.
Oakland right after planting, with rebuilt steps and walkway, raised beds, and a generous entry.
Oakland after a year of growth, with low-maintenance plantings now softening the entry.
Oakland back before. A crumbling staircase to the lower garden.
Oakland back after. A rebuilt staircase flanked by new plantings.
Martinez before. This newer house had been landscaped with a huge lawn and a motley assortment of inappropriate plants.
After Martinez. We removed the lawn, added drought-tolerant plantings, and built a large lobed flagstone patio.
After Martinez. We also opened up the deck to the garden with a broad set of steps.
South Berkeley round 1 before.
South Berkeley round 1 after- new brick patio with raised beds full of color and texture.
Before, South Berkeley, the second round. 25 years ago we built a garden for this family and when it finally deteriorated, they called us back for a redo.
Another S. Berkely round 2 before
South Berkeley after, round 2. This time we built new raised beds with built-in seating, extended the brick patio, and added all new planting.
South Berkeley round 2 after. A Star Jasmine wall screens the garden from the driveway.
Before in Kensington- neglected and uninviting.
After in Kensington. The useless lawn has been replaced with a 2-lobed gravel patio surrounded by color and texture.
Before in North Berkeley, an uninviting space with limited usefulness.
After in North Berkeley. Patio and paths of decomposed granite mix with colorful shrubs and perennials.
Before in El Cerrito- a very tired lawn and not much else.
After in El Cerrito, a perennial garden on a constructed berm.