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In the San Francisco Bay Area, rain showers are now off, and spring has shaken off its wet head to finally emerge in full glory. Current warm temperatures are hastening the growing season, which means beautiful blossoms, new leaves unfolding and weeds popping up. Here are five things to help spruce up your garden now. …

One of nature’s most magnificent playgrounds, Yosemite National Park is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we are so fortunate to be located close enough to drive to a place that people travel from around the world to visit.  When driving through Yosemite Valley, I …

On April 22, 1970, Earth Day became a movement as 20 million Americans gathered throughout the nation to demonstrate the need to protect the environment. Groups rallied against pollution, toxic dumps, loss of wilderness and wildlife extinction. This Sunday, April 22, 2012, is once again Earth Day. Today, more than one billion people around the …

“With so many paving material choices – which one should I use?” This is a common question people ask when planning a new paving project, such as a patio, pool deck, driveway or walkway. With all the beautiful choices available at such a vast range of pricing, the selection can feel overwhelming. The answer can …

I just returned from Palm Springs for a short R&R break and quality time with my Chicago-snowbird parents.  Spring comes early in the Coachella Valley desert with natural beauty all around. Hummingbirds, also known as flying jewels, are busy sipping nectar from flowering plants, such as aloe, yucca,  lantana, cape honeysuckle, grevillea, and arbutus with …

Today is California Arbor Day! It’s a great day to help the earth by planting a new tree. Trees offer beauty, shade, and homes to wildlife. Trees also produce oxygen through their leaves, thus literally providing a breath of fresh air. Be sure to carefully select the right tree for the right place. Trees that …

Thank you for entering the “Garden Gate”  to my Susan Friedman Landscape Architecture Blog page.  Here you will find articles, tips, and current events related to Bay Area landscaping, gardening, and nature.  The “Gate” is open to suggestions from readers with gardening questions or other topics of interest to you.  Any feedback is especially welcome …

If yard improvement projects are on your “to-do” list for this season, then right now is a great time to plan ahead. Whether you’re adding a few plants or designing your entire yard, a well-thought-out plan will save time and money later. It helps to write your ideas on paper, and here are a few …