Hardscaping & Surfaces in Landscaping: March 2008 Archives
We can learn so much about simple function from ancient techniques. Dry Stacked Stone Walls is one such elegant solution for landscaping.
Not only can you use your local supply of rocky rocks...you can put them to good use as HABITAT for small wildlife such as toads, caterpillars, skinks and other beneficial native wildlife.
There's a trick to building a strong, lasting dry stacked stone wall. So it pays to read up on it a bit before tackling this back-bending work.
TIP FOR BEFORE YOU DIG: Before you start this (or any other) digging project, call 811 if you're in the U.S. This is a new, federally-mandated national "Call Before You Dig" number. 811 was created to help protect people from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines while working on digging projects.
How about a wikiHow:
http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Dry-Stack-Retaining-Rock-Wall
Here are some interesting tips from experienced folks:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/700268/
Not only can you use your local supply of rocky rocks...you can put them to good use as HABITAT for small wildlife such as toads, caterpillars, skinks and other beneficial native wildlife.
There's a trick to building a strong, lasting dry stacked stone wall. So it pays to read up on it a bit before tackling this back-bending work.
TIP FOR BEFORE YOU DIG: Before you start this (or any other) digging project, call 811 if you're in the U.S. This is a new, federally-mandated national "Call Before You Dig" number. 811 was created to help protect people from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines while working on digging projects.
How about a wikiHow:
http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Dry-Stack-Retaining-Rock-Wall
Here are some interesting tips from experienced folks:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/700268/
Runoff is such a waste! Not only does it flush chemicals and debris into our surface water system (streams, rivers, lakes and oceans...) it flushes good fresh water supplies away from the roots of plants that need the moisture. Permeable or semi-permeable concrete is one solution to conserve water, protect watersheds and reduce runoff.
Pervious Concrete has been reviewed by the Federal EPA as a post construction Best Management Practice for parking lots and storm water management. The reduction of the “heat island effect” and the cleaning of “first flush” storm water events are two of the major benefits of the product.
If you have concerns for the environment you might like to visit the website of Environ-Crete to learn about permeable concrete: www.envirocreteinc.com
Pervious Concrete is not poured like conventional concrete, it’s compacted in place. The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association recommends that only qualified contractors attempt to place this sustainable product. Enviro-Crete, Inc. is providing certified and experienced operations throughout California. We are professionals at assisting in the success of a construction project, and helping new buildings achieve valuable LEED points!
If your project parking lot is 10,000 square feet or 50 acres, we have the equipment and resources you need.
The Pervious Concrete parking lot we built in Lake Tahoe is the largest one there yet, but watch out for dwarfing projects coming soon.
CONTACT INFO:
Pervious Concrete has been reviewed by the Federal EPA as a post construction Best Management Practice for parking lots and storm water management. The reduction of the “heat island effect” and the cleaning of “first flush” storm water events are two of the major benefits of the product.
If you have concerns for the environment you might like to visit the website of Environ-Crete to learn about permeable concrete: www.envirocreteinc.com
Pervious Concrete is not poured like conventional concrete, it’s compacted in place. The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association recommends that only qualified contractors attempt to place this sustainable product. Enviro-Crete, Inc. is providing certified and experienced operations throughout California. We are professionals at assisting in the success of a construction project, and helping new buildings achieve valuable LEED points!
If your project parking lot is 10,000 square feet or 50 acres, we have the equipment and resources you need.
The Pervious Concrete parking lot we built in Lake Tahoe is the largest one there yet, but watch out for dwarfing projects coming soon.
CONTACT INFO:
Continue reading Making Gray Concrete Environmentally Green!.
Green landscaping reduces water runoff, can preserve native species,
increase cooling greenery, and provide all the benefits of beauty!
Swales Are Just One of the Solutions!
Swales are densely vegetated drainageways with low-pitched slopes that collect and slowly convey runoff. They promote infiltration and reduce stormwater runoff volumes. Grass swales can replace curbs, gutters and storm sewer systems.
Grass swales typically cost less to construct than curbs, gutter or
storm sewer systems.
Green Building Landscape Info Sheets
Swales Reduce Runoff
Alternative Driveway Design
Porous Pavement Reduces Surface Runoff
Natural Landscaping Reduces Runoff
Saving and Amending Topsoil
Tree Cover Provides Multiple Benefits
DOWNLOAD these Info Sheets
When living green plants replace concrete driveways, retaining walls, sidewalks, and even planting bed borders, your landscape becomes greenscaping!
Cost-effective solutions that provide beauty at the same time are worth checking out. Soil Retention Systems, Inc. is a Southern California manufacturer, distributor, designer and installer of plantable blocks. "Fewer blocks per square foot mean lower cost. This is the only 100% plantable block available," says Niklas Jansson, Sales engineer.
"Drivable grass", a permeable, flexible and plantable concrete pavement system that increases on-site water storage and minimized water runoff into rivers, lakes and the ocean. This helps solve one of the biggest environmental problems facing our country today.
The Oceanside Fire Station needed an environmentally friendly solution to their wash down area run-off problem and they solved the problem with "Drivable grass" -- which stood up to the heavy traffic of fire equipment.
See Pictures and Contact this manufacturer.
Cost-effective solutions that provide beauty at the same time are worth checking out. Soil Retention Systems, Inc. is a Southern California manufacturer, distributor, designer and installer of plantable blocks. "Fewer blocks per square foot mean lower cost. This is the only 100% plantable block available," says Niklas Jansson, Sales engineer.
"Drivable grass", a permeable, flexible and plantable concrete pavement system that increases on-site water storage and minimized water runoff into rivers, lakes and the ocean. This helps solve one of the biggest environmental problems facing our country today.
The Oceanside Fire Station needed an environmentally friendly solution to their wash down area run-off problem and they solved the problem with "Drivable grass" -- which stood up to the heavy traffic of fire equipment.
See Pictures and Contact this manufacturer.
Continue reading Soil Retention with Plantable Driveways and Walls.
