CALIFORNIA
LANDSCAPE
DESIGN
NEWS FROM THE
ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL
LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS (APLD)
CALIFORNIA CHAPTER
FALL 2018
FROM THE CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Francesca Corra, APLD
Welcome to the Fall 2018 Business-themed edition of our newsletter!
The 2018 APLD Landscape Design Conference has just wrapped up in Toronto. Once again, as in previous conferences, I return inspired and rejuvenated. It was wonderful to see so many designers from California there, as well as meeting up with old friends from around the country and meeting new people.
California came away with lots of awards, which we are happy to brag about in this issue. I had the very distinct pleasure of being asked to present The 2018 Award for Leadership in Landscape Sustainability. This and the few other service awards are like the Oscars—kept secret until the actual presentation. The winner this year was Cheryl Buckwalter. People are mostly unaware of all that goes on behind the scenes, so it was very satisfying to see Cheryl’s efforts being recognized on a national level.
The lineup of speakers was excellent and quite diverse. Paul Zammit, Director of Horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Garden, had us practically falling out of our seats laughing the whole time. Another speaker that was very inspiring was Javed S. Khan, who discussed digital marketing trends. I came away with two words that I will share with you….
1. LinkedIn
2. Videos.
Get yourselves ramped up on LinkedIn and start practicing doing short personalized videos, Facebook Live, etc.
Another highlight of the conference happened during our private tour of the Toronto Music Garden. In the Gigue section, we were delighted by two private and spontaneous performances: a Puccini aria by Laura Morton, APLD, and a poem recited by new friend and Kentucky designer Andrea Mueller, APLD.
The 2019 Conference is being held in Seattle July 25–29, so mark your calendars now.
As I write this, the email came in asking for submissions for the 2019 APLD International Landscape Design Awards. The deadline is December 16, 2018. I have said this before—and I will say it again—I know that there are designers out there who have award winning gardens who are not submitting. I urge you to consider this. Go to https://www.apld.org/design-awards/ to see all the different categories. There are different ways to submit. For instance, “Details” and “Specialty Projects” could include just a specific section of the garden.
I truly believe that being a member of APLD—and taking advantage of the educational and networking opportunities, forging relationships, and being involved on a leadership level—has been the single most important aspect in the growth of my business.
I would like to end by saying this: We are in the business of Landscape Design. This is not a hobby, at least for most of us. We need to treat it like a business and the rewards will be greater still.
Cheers!
Francesca Corra, APLD
APLD California Chapter President
CONTENTS
Simply scroll down to read the articles.
You may also click on the section titles below.
What’s Happening with APLD Around California
A Special Offer From DIG Plant Co., an APLD CA Gold Sponsor
Generating Recurrent Revenue by Gerry Kiffee of GardenSoft, an APLD CA Bronze Sponsor
Letter from the Chapter President
Francesca Corra, APLD
TOOLS AND TIPS:
Branding for the Solopreneur by John Black
Garden Tours: A Perfect Marketing Opportunity by Laura Morton
Client Care: The Bedrock of Your Design Practice by Kristan Browne
Where We Work: A Look Into Member Workspaces
These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
Award Winning Californians
DESIGNER PROFILE: Steve Harbour, APLD
by David Clarke, APLD
Where Science Meets Art: Ecological Landscape Design
by Shawn Maestretti
The Designer’s Toolbox
BUILD YOUR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
AND NETWORK OF RESOURCES.
Photo courtesy of Jude Parkinson-Morgan.
TOOLS AND TIPS:
Branding for the SolopreneuR
John Black
Verdance Landscape Design
Palo Alto, CA
APLD Bay Area District Member
In this era of Twitter, Instagram, crowdsourced logos and turnkey websites, it’s never been easier for the “solopreneur” landscape designer to project a professional image. But for a company of one, developing a unique brand that predisposes your perfect client to hire you also requires a deep understanding of your client and yourself.
Whether you call it an ‘identity’ or a ‘personality’, a brand is really nothing more—or less—than a promise. It’s what your potential clients expect to gain from working with you, and the yardstick against which your current clients are measuring your efforts. Live up to that promise and your success is assured; break it, and your name is mud.
Beautifully detailed graphics promise beautifully detailed gardens.
Garden Tours: A Perfect Marketing Opportunity
Laura Morton, APLD
Laura Morton Design, Los Angeles, CA
APLD Greater Los Angeles District Member & CA Chapter Sponsorship Chair
As landscape designers, the results of our creative vision are often documented and shared through photographs. In fact, aside from the plans you might create, the photographs will capture the built space and act as lasting evidence of your work. As designers, the truth is that we rarely get to enjoy a space we have created or share it with others unless the owners invite us to a party. Garden tours, however, are a special opportunity to share the experience of your imagination and gently advertise your skills.
Participating in a garden tour can provide many benefits, whether as a volunteer docent on the day, or having one of your projects celebrated as part of the day’s events. Usually, garden tours act as a fundraiser for a non-profit cause, so your business name will be linked to their message as the event is promoted in the press around town. Throughout the process (usually a few months), new relationships will be made and reinforced. Potential clients of like mind will connect to your business and a reputation with your peers will be built. On top of all of that, even though the actual tour day is fleeting, it’s a lasting memory to bask in the sunshine of your creation and witness other people enjoying it.
Client Care: The Bedrock of Your Design PracticE
Kristan Browne
attriniti, Pasadena, CA
APLD Greater Los Angeles District Member, Immediate Chapter Past President, & APLD National Board of Directors
Good customer service is something that everyone appreciates. It has been my experience that landscape designers and architects can get confused between the project they are working on and the client they are working for. At the end of the day, the client is going to pay the invoice, talk about how much they love their new space to their friends and family, and refer you to their colleagues and associates. Client care is the foundation to building and growing a successful and sustainable practice.
The good news is that superior customer service is relatively easy, especially when you are clear about the types of clients and projects that are a good fit for you. This starts with your mission statement, your vision for your business, and your willingness to turn down projects that do not fall within your parameters.
The second part of excellent customer service is about communication. Be consistent and reliable in all your communications with potential and current clients. Have a comprehensive contract and stick to it. When the unexpected happens, and as we know it always does, then communicate immediately with the client. Stay solution oriented. When you do not get a response from a client, follow up; emails get misplaced all the time. Never assume, ask questions, AND be sure to listen.
Because a garden is a living and evolving space, we have the potential to work with the same clients over a number of years. I have had the pleasure of working with several families for more than a decade now. A successful and fun design practice can be built on a handful of really great clients.
WHERE WE WORK:
A Look Into Member Workspaces
Click images to enlarge.
Lisa Bellora
Ornamental Gardens by Lisa, Escondido, CA
APLD San Diego District Member & Programs Co-Chair
David Clarke, APLD
David Clarke Design, San Diego, CA
APLD San Diego District President
Francesca Corra, APLD
Dirt Diva Designs, Studio City, CA
APLD Greater Los Angeles District Member & APLD California Chapter President
John Beaudry
John Beaudry Landscape Design, La Mesa, CA
APLD San Diego District Member
Kate Stickley
Arterra LLP Landscape Architects, San Francisco, CA
APLD Bay Area District Member
Anna Wendorf
Anna Wendorf Design, Concord, CA
APLD Bay Area District Special Events Chair & Trade Show Coordinator
Linda Middleton, APLD
Terralinda Design, Walnut Creek, CA
APLD Bay Area District Member & Immediate Chapter Past President
Linda’s office assistant, Freckles.
Mario Herrada
Zacate Landscape Design
San Francisco, CA
APLD Bay Area District Member
Suzanne Murillo
Garden Design From the Ground Up, Orinda, CA
APLD Bay Area District Member
THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
The APLD Bay Area District recently held a roundtable discussion around a few of our favorite things (tools, plants, etc.) we use in our landscape design practice. The designers at the meeting agreed to share their favorite things with you all. Here they are:
Amy Griffiths
New Leaf Garden Design
Castro Valley, CA
APLD Bay Area District Member
3. A. M. Leonard Stainless Steel Soil Knife
1. Polygrids (or Coregravel available at APLD CA Gold Sponsor Lyngso).
“These honeycomb plastic grids are great for stabilizing gravel paths, patios and driveways. I love that it really helps keeping gravel where you want it and reduces the scattering effect.”
2. NDS Flo-Well
“This dry well is easy to install and a great solution for keeping storm water on site & filtering water naturally back into the ground water tables.”
3. A. M. Leonard Stainless Steel Soil Knife “Such as great alternative to the traditional wooden handled Hori-Hori. These are harder to loose in the garden with their bright orange handles. I buy them in bulk for my maintenance crew.”
Kathleen Olson
Kathleen’s Garden Landscape Design, Lafayette, CA
APLD Bay Area District Member
3. Stone Treads
1. Quicker Clicker Mechanical Pencils
“I’m using only these now for drafting. They are much easier on my hands, plus they have an eraser and side clicker which is much easier to advance the lead.”
2. My Design Group (‘Bay Garden Gals’)
“We all graduated from Merritt College Hort Dept 10 years ago and have been meeting every other month ever since. So inspirational and helpful to my career.”
3. Stone Treads
“So beautiful and dang useful. I will often fill in the treads with low groundcovers (pictured) or with ‘Nursery Crush’ gravel.”
Marlena (Molly) Weden
Muir Creek Design
Pleasant Hill, CA
APLD Bay Area District Member
1. Plant Master
1. Plant Master
(by GardenSoft, a long time APLD CA sponsor) “Such a time saver for building a plant palette and general plant research!”
Bonnie Brock, APLD
Bonnie Brock Landscape Design
Palo Alto, CA
APLD Bay Area District Member
1. & 2. Stone Universe pavers & Concrete Creations Fire Bowl
1. Stone Universe cut stone pavers
“I constantly specify these natural stone pavers in ashlar pattern. They are so precise and install easily on a compacted base with polymeric sand in between.” Available at Lyngso Garden Materials and Peninsula Building Materials (both APLD CA Sponsors).
2. Concrete Creations LA fire bowls
“I just love their 48” bowls with a 180K BTU burner (much higher than most) this creates a much warmer experience.”
3. Cercis ‘Rising Sun’
“Amazing leaf color – shades of orange, gold and yellow all at once.”
Anna Wendorf
Anna Wendorf Design, Concord, CA
APLD Bay Area District Member & Chapter Trade Show Coordinator
1. Razorsaw H200
1. Razorsaw H200
“This Japanese pruning saw is my current favorite tool. So amazingly sharp, I can prune with ease”.
2. My Lists – “I keep a binder of various lists that I’ve compiled over time. Some are general and some are very specific: ‘plants that never die’, ‘good plant combos’, and special palettes such as ‘Palo Alto Opal Garden’.”
3. Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’
“Amazing texture and super easy. This is my favorite plant for dry shade areas.”
Kim Raftery
Raftery Garden Design
Palo Alto, CA
4. Soil Sampler
1. Mark Concrete in Moss Landing
“They do beautiful custom outdoor kitchens, concrete counters, fire pits and planter boxes.”
2. Burlap Tree Wrap
“These 4” wide rolls of burlap are great for protecting tree trunks from sunburn. I especially like this for young fruit trees and espaliered trees when the trunks are exposed."
3. Pennisetum spathiolatum
“This small bunch grass blooms early, is drought tolerant, and really keeps its form. Great in mixed meadows – John Greenlee uses it as a backbone in many of his meadows.”
4. Soil Sampler
“I learned about it from my husband who is an arborist. He swears by it. He will be meeting with a client whose trees are failing and the client will say "but I water this tree a lot" and Kevin will check the soil with his soil sampler, and the soil is totally dry. Kevin doesn't trust the little meters that you can stick in the soil. He says the only was to know if there is enough or too much water in the soil, it to get a sample of the soil with the soil sampler. I use it often when I am helping clients figure out the timing for their controllers. My only word of caution when using it is to know where the inline emitter tubing is located in the soil because it you press the sampler into the ground too forcefully, you can put a small slit in the tubing. I know of no other way to reliably know how much moisture is in a root ball.”
Mary Fisher, APLD
Mary Fisher Garden Design
Alameda, CA
APLD CA Chapter Communications Chair, Bay Area District Programs Chair
2. Zip Level
1. Pea Gravel
“I just find good old 3/8” pea gravel to be the most economical and neutral of all permeable hardscape materials.”
2. Zip Level altimeter
“I can’t imagine doing a site measure without this fantastic tool. This tool paid for itself in the first year, with me hiring myself out to shoot elevations for other designers.”
3. Acacia fimbriata
“I don’t understand why growers are not propagating this fantastic tree. It is as beautiful as Acacia cognata, but more upright. Perfect as an evergreen screening tree in small gardens.”
Deborah Christman
O.W.L. Landscapes
San Ramon, CA
APLD Bay Area District Member
1. Permaloc Aluminum Edging
“Such a nice clean edging that really holds up well over time.”
2. Hori Hori Knife
“My all-time favorite garden tool for weeding, transplanting and so much more.”
3. Arctostaphylos ‘Howard McMinn’
“I love this and other Arctos pruned sculpturally as a Japanese Maple substitute.”
Member Highlights
APLD-CA MEMBERS MAKE NEWS WITH THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO LANDSCAPE DESIGN.
Photo courtesy of Jude Parkinson-Morgan.
Award Winning Californians
Bravo to all the APLD California members who recently received awards at the 2018 APLD International Landscape Conference in Toronto. All the winners and their gardens can be seen below, and in the latest issue of The Designer.
DESIGNER PROFILE: Steve Harbour, APLD
Interviewed by David Clarke, APLD
Steve Harbour, APLD
Steve Harbour Landscapes, Alpine, CA
APLD San Diego District Member
Tell us a little about yourself. (i.e., town you grew up in, early experiences, education, hobbies, etc.)
I am a Southern California native, born and raised in Fullerton, CA. When I was ten, an older neighbor bequeathed me his yard maintenance business, which I begrudgingly accepted. The six yards I inherited, including my own home, became the feeble beginnings of my experience in landscaping. Later on, I moved to Sonoma County to attend Sonoma State University (B.A. English). I found a summer job at a local Sebastopol wholesale nursery, then got hired to work after school at a retail nursery in Petaluma. Right after graduation, I got married and we moved to San Diego. I had wanted to pursue a career in journalism, but finding no work above minimum wage, I discovered San Diego’s vast network of wholesale and retail nurseries, and continued on in horticulture. That was 36 years ago.
How did you find a career in landscape design?
I had a great early career working in horticulture, yet felt the need to do something more creative. I had been working alongside several landscape architects while working in wholesale, recommending and locating specimen trees and hard-to-find plants for their jobs, and found myself more and more enamored with the thought of landscape design. So I enrolled at Cuyamaca College at night to study landscape design, then got my first job as a landscape designer and consultant, with Anderson’s La Costa Nursery in 1997.
Where Science Meets Art: Ecological Landscape Design
by Shawn Maestretti
Shawn Maestretti Garden Architecture, PC, Altadena, CA
APLD Greater Los Angeles Area District Member
I’ve been thinking a lot about carbon recently. Along with oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen, it is one of the essential building blocks of life. Through my journey of discovery, I have come to understand that we exist because of these elements, and that we are the same as the living creatures around us. Realizing that plants are made up of the same carbon atoms in our atmosphere was a life changing epiphany for me.
Why is that important? Our atmosphere is overloaded with more carbon than the current photosynthesizing life on earth can handle. Our climate is warming up too rapidly and our oceans are acidifying, killing off oxygen-giving phytoplankton. Currently, 1/3 of arable land is experiencing desertification and it is getting worse.
News from the Districts
CHECK OUT DISTRICT HAPPENINGS
THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA.
Photo courtesy of Jude Parkinson-Morgan.
News and Events from the APLD Bay Area District
Upcoming Events:
Click to zoom.
Got Shade? An APLD Bay Area Mini Vendor Fair
Join us for this vendor fair featuring companies that manufacture products that create shade and comfort in the landscape, including shade sails, arbors, pergolas, canopies, awnings and umbrellas.
September 26, 2018 from 3-5pm
at the Gamble Garden in Palo Alto
More Info Here
Click to zoom.
Kick Your Career Into High Gear
Get The Most From Your APLD Membership: a panel discussion with Patricia St. John, APLD and Maryanne Quincey, APLD
Are you ready to take your career to the next level?
Join us for a panel discussion about ways to use your APLD membership to advance your landscape design career through participation in APLD leadership and recognition of your talents with APLD awards and certification.
Have you always wondered if it was worth it to go through the process of applying for APLD awards or certification? Two veteran APLD members, who have been through it, Maryanne Quincy, APLD and Patricia St. John, APLD, will walk us through the process and benefits of each. They will also talk about how they were personally affected by getting deeply involved in APLD leadership and receiving APLD awards and certification.
November 13, 2018 from 4-6pm
at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center
More Info Here
Click to zoom.
Money Talks: Discussing Budgets With Clients
Landscape designers often have to deal with money issues from the first conversation with a client all the way through the installation (and even beyond) in a project. In this APLD MEMBERS ONLY presentation, Chris Grampp, who has practiced and taught landscape architecture and design for 30 years, will discuss strategies for bringing design fees and installation costs into the conversation at all stages of the design process: the initial client phone call and site visit, the writing of agreements and contracts, the design development phase, the bidding and contact award, and site observation during the installation.
November 28, 2018 from 3-5pm
at the Gamble Garden in Palo Alto, CA
More Info Here
News and Events from the
APLD Greater Los Angeles Area District
Upcoming Events:
Click to zoom.
The APLD Greater Los Angeles Designer Plant Fair
APLD Sponsors and non-sponsors will be introducing their new, unusual, and unique plant offerings at this Plant Fair, which is jointly sponsored with LA Arboretum.
Each vendor will have items for display and for sale. Vendors will each have an opportunity to speak about their favorites and/or new introductions. There will be a slideshow running simultaneously of all the plants on display. There will also be a Plant Raffle.
This is a chance to introduce (and buy/sell) new and unusual plants in time for the fall planting rush. The LA Arboretum and APLD Greater Los Angeles will work together to promote this exciting event. It will bring APLD Members from the So Cal region, Arboretum Members, students and educators, a plant-savvy public who is passionate about gardening, and of course, Los Angeles’s many horticultural groups and clubs.
September 29, 2018 9:30am-3pm
at the LA Arboretum in Arcadia
More Info Here
Click to zoom.
Ruth Shellhorn: Midcentury Landscape Architecture in Southern California
Kelly Comras will be talking about Landscape Architect Ruth Patricia Shellhorn. Shelhorn helped define the distinctive mid-century regional aesthetic of Southern California. Most well known for her work on the Bullock’s department stores and Fashion Square shopping centers, projects that redefined the commercial genre as a relaxing and entertaining activity, and for her work with Walt Disney on the original design of Disneyland. Shellhorn also designed a landscape master plan for the University of California at Riverside and other campuses, as well as a number of private gardens and estates for movie stars and the business and financial leaders of the Los Angeles region. She created landscape designs that refined the indoor-outdoor living concept, and she developed a palette of plant materials that perfectly expressed the exuberance and optimism of the post-war era, which became known as “the Southern California look.”
October 23, 2018 from 4-6pm
at the Palms/Rancho Park Library in Los Angeles
More Info Here
Click to zoom.
Tour of Waterwise Botanicals & Private Garden of Patrick Anderson
We’ll start the day with a tour of the delightful private garden of Patrick Anderson followed by a light lunch. Please note that Patrick Anderson's address will be sent out after ticket purchase.
At 1:00 pm we’ll make our way to Waterwise Botanicals where Tom Jesch, owner and proprietor of the nursery will take us around their 1.5 acres of demonstration gardens and display vignettes. After a Q & A session we will be hosted by Tom for dinner.
Bring water, a hat and comfortable shoes.
November 3, 2018 from 11am-6:30pm
in Bonsal, CA (San Diego County)
More Info Here
Save the Date:
Plant Swap Luncheon and Mixer
APLD GLA invites Landscape Designers, Landscape Architects and Contractors from the community for a luncheon and mixer at the Arlington Gardens, Pasadena.
Let's get to know the greater design community! Bring a friend and a plant to share with the group. In addition, El Nativo will present 2-3 new trial plant cultivars they are testing to the group. They will bring free sample to those interested. Lunch provided.
November 14, 2018 from 11:30 -2pm
at the Arlington Gardens, Pasadena, CA
APLD GLA Members Holiday Party + Cookie & Succulent Swap
December 15, 2018 from 4-8pm
Hosted by Johanna Woollcott
More Details to Come
APLD Greater Los Angeles District 4th Annual Garden Tour
April 14, 2019
Click Here to submit a garden for consideration by November 5, 2018
News and Events from the APLD Sacramento District
Recap of Recent Programs:
Taxes and Yew
by Bernadette Balics
Ecological Landscape Design
Davis, CA
APLD Sacramento District Member
In August, APLD Sacramento District presented ‘Taxes and Yew (Taxes and You)’, a chance for members to learn how the latest tax reform affects small business owners. CPA Elizabeth Osborne, of Osborne Accountancy, explained changes to the standard deductions; itemized deductions; and business meals and entertainment. Entertainment or meals with clients and prospects are no longer tax deductible. It is expected that lawmakers may tweak this and reinstate the 50% deduction for meals with clients and prospects, but that has not yet happened. Year-end parties for employees and spouses are still 100% tax deductible.
We also learned it is likely landscape designers will qualify for the new 20 percent deduction for business income. Those who operate their business as a sole proprietorship, partnership or S corporation and have a ‘defined taxable income’ of $315,00 or less if married filing a joint return, or $157,500 or less if filing as a single taxpayer. For example, a business producing $100,000 in defined taxable income would qualify for a deduction of $20,000.
Elizabeth also shared her experience applying for job creation tax credits for her clients through the California Competes Tax Credit. A new application period begins on January 2, 2019.
Upcoming Programs:
Trees For The Next 50 Years
Please join Sacramento APLD for an informative and interactive evening as Marcia Scott educates us about the trees we should be planting now for our future. What new varieties should we be on the lookout for at the nurseries? What trees are best suited for current climate conditions? What trees will be most impactful for our urban forest? If time allows, we will include a group discussion of new favorite plants as well.
September 27, 2018 @ 4:30PM
at the Sacramento Tree Foundation in Sacramento, CA
RSVP to info@changeofseasons.net
Click to zoom.
“Good Garden Photography”
with famed photographer Saxon Holt
Whether photography is new to you or you have experience and want to sharpen your skills, join us to learn about "Good Garden Photography" from famed photographer Saxon Holt. Attend some or all sessions.
8 a.m. to 12 noon - Morning Workshop - You and your camera (35 mm digital camera, iphone or similar) step into the garden with Saxon for this unique garden shoot experience. Learn how to capture a garden's elements and tell its story. After an hour-long photoshoot, it's off to the classroom at Sierra 2 for individualized photo critique and discussion. Space limited to 15 people. Workshop participants receive a free copy of Saxon's e-book, "Think Like a Camera". APLD CEUs* - 2
12 to 1 p.m. - Lunch at Sierra 2's Garden Courtyard - A relaxed gathering for networking, talking with other professionals about their photo experiences, and hanging out with Saxon. Space limited to 50.
1 to 2:30 p.m. - Lecture: Good Garden Photography Lecture - Saxon will unveil how to take provocative and intriguing photos that tell a garden's story through your eyes as a photographer. We will explore fundamental concepts of composition and balance, finding the best light, capturing the elements of the garden's function, and illustrating what makes the garden work. Space limited to 50. APLD CEUs* - 1.5
2:30 to 5 p.m. - Afternoon Workshop - Grasp this opportunity to apply the lessons from the lecture in a garden with personal instruction by Saxon. Also, Saxon will demonstrate how he would shoot the garden to tell this garden's story through his professional vision. Space limited to 35. Workshop participants receive a free copy of Saxon's e-book, "Think Like a Camera".
October 27, 2018 from 8am-5pm
at Sierra 2 in Sacramento, CA
More Info Here
Finding Purpose in Landscape Design
Martin Carrion van Rijn, Sacramento APLD President and owner of Landscape Symphonies will present an evening exploring how garden designers find inspiration and how inspiration transforms into a purposeful garden project. Martin will present some of his work and illustrate the "why" behind design choices.
November 15, 2018 from 4:30–6:30 pm
at Silverado Design Center in Sacramento, CA
RSVP to info@changeofseasons.net
News and Events from the APLD San Diego District
Recap of Recent Programs:
by David Clarke, APLD
David Clarke Design, San Diego, CA
APLD San Diego District President
The San Diego District took a little breather over the summer with many of us traveling, but still managed to engage our members with various events and activities.
First off, our Common Grounds occasional meetups have been a real success. These member-only coffee meet-ups debuted this past Spring and continued through the Summer.
We attended a Village Nurseries event this past June highlighting upcoming species introductions and current trends in low water plantings. Their “dry lush” palette has consistently proven to be popular with clients.
July introduced our first annual Summer Social for members. This is a time to meet current and new members, try to not talk shop (ha!), and just relax. We held this event in our city’s Balboa Park, a 1600-acre horticultural marvel that also happens to be where our world-famous zoo is located. Members were free to come and go as they pleased, share some of the delicious food provided on a potluck basis, and experience the cool tastes of Italian Ices. We hope to expand this event next year.
Our August event was a photography seminar on how to shoot your gardens. Taught by a local professional landscape photographer we gained some good tips and tricks to help us take better photos whether for portfolio or personal use. My own take-away? Hire a pro!
Upcoming Programs:
Common Grounds
A member-only coffee meet up to discuss site-measuring. This time-consuming—but required—landscape design step is something we talk about quite a bit. Some questions have been: “How much time?” “Do you use laser equipment?” “What about slope angles and measurements?”
September 28, 2018
at Native Poppy Coffee in San Diego
For more info email: sdcommunications@apldca.org
Fall Home/Garden Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds
This key event provides great exposure for APLD to the residential homeowner community, and the 30 minutes for $30 design consultations remain very popular.
October 5-7, 2018
at the Del Mar Fairgrounds
More Info Here
Save the Date:
San Diego District Annual Holiday Party and Mixer
This event brings members, guests, and sponsors together to celebrate the past year. We hold this event at a member’s home each year with a delicious members-supplied holiday potluck. Details to come!
December 1, 2018
More Details to Come
Our Sponsors
OUR SPONSORS HELP US DO THE IMPORTANT WORK OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN, WHILE SUPPORTING OUR CONTINUED EDUCATION AND NETWORKING.
Photo courtesy of Jude Parkinson-Morgan.
APLD California Chapter
2018 Sponsors
Through sponsorship of APLD California Chapter, these industry leaders declare their support for best practices, educational programs and events, and the highest standards in landscape design. From veteran materials suppliers to producers of cutting-edge landscape products, these companies have committed to connecting with professional landscape designers and our clients.
A Special Offer From DIG Plant Co., an APLD CA Gold Sponsor:
SPONSOR TOOLS AND TIPS:
Generating Recurrent RevenuE
(How to make a six-figure salary in Garden Design)
by Gerry Kiffe
General Manager
GardenSoft, an APLD CA Bronze Sponsor
The California Financial Challenge
If you are just starting out as a Garden Designer after college or high school, or after leaving your old profession and trying to make a living in California, you are looking down the gun barrel of these median home prices: Sacramento County $355,000; Sonoma County $643,000; Marin County $1,108,000; San Francisco $1,289,000; San Mateo $1,200,000; Santa Clara $1,283,000; Contra Costa County $612,000; Alameda County $875,000; Santa Cruz $868,000; Santa Barbara $1,128, Los Angeles County $615,000; Orange County $746,000; and San Diego County $604,000. Ouch!
So the question is, “How do I make my garden design business financially successful enough to afford to buy a home and raise a family in California?” One of the answers to the question is by generating recurrent revenue.
What is Recurrent Revenue?
Recurrent Revenue is the idea that once you secure income from a particular client, you hold onto them and create a pattern of generating revenue again and again in some cyclic pattern. It is far easier to sell something additional to an existing customer than it is to secure a brand-new customer. You have already laid the groundwork and gained their trust. You know the intricacies of their property and their preferences. Once you have established this level of trust with your client (and our profession is rather good at this), then the necessary threshold needed to convince a client to do further work with you is dramatically reduced.
OUR PLATINUM SPONSOR:
Rain Bird Corporation is the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services. Rain Bird has been committed to the "intelligent use of water" for more than 80 years. We offer the education and water-efficient products you need to make better use of our most precious resource.
OUR GOLD SPONSORS:
Simply click on a logo below to visit the website of one of our sponsors.
OUR SILVER SPONSORS:
OUR BRONZE SPONSORS:
Please contact Laura Morton, APLD, at sponsorship@apldca.org
Upcoming Events
APLD-CA, ITS SPONSORS, AND THE LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY OFFER YEAR-ROUND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS.
Photo courtesy of Jude Parkinson-Morgan.
APLD or APLD Sponsor events in BOLD.
SEPTEMBER
Got Shade? – An APLD Bay Area Mini Vendor Fair
A mini vendor fair featuring companies that manufacture products that create shade & comfort in the landscape in Palo Alto, CA.
September 26, 2018
The Re-Generation of Gardens
A presentation by Shawn Maestretti at the Los Angeles Arboretum.
Los Angeles, CA
September 26, 2018
The Autobiography of a Garden
An illustrated talk by Andrew Raftery with The Garden Conservancy in San Francisco, CA.
September 26, 2018
WaterSmart Workshop
Fall & Winter Landscape Pruning & Maintenance with ReScapeCA in Citrus Heights, CA.
September 27, 2018
State of the LA River Watershed Symposium
Los Angeles, CA
September 27, 2018
The 8th Annual Succulent Extravaganza
Castroville, CA
September 28-29, 2018
International Japanese Garden Conference
Portland, OR
September 28-October 2, 2018
The APLD Greater Los Angeles Designer Plant Fair
at the Los Angeles Arboretum.
Los Angeles, CA.
September 29, 2018
Rainwater Harvesting Workshop with The Urban Water Group & The Landscape Architecture Alumni Connection of UCLA Extension at Tree People in Beverly Hills, CA.
October 13, 2018
Randy Baldwin Lecture on Native Plants at The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Santa Barbara, CA
October 13, 2018
Garden Goddesses: Four Californian Women and Their Legendary Gardens at UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley, CA.
October 14, 2018
Garden Dialogues 2018
An event with The Cultural Landscape Foundation in Pasadena, CA.
October 14, 2018
Building Resilience with Native Plants: Right Plant, Your Place with Lili Singer for the Theodore Payne Foundation in Los Angeles, CA.
October 17, 2018
Westedge Design Fair
Santa Monica, CA
October 18-21, 2018
American Society of Landscape Architects Annual Meeting and Expo
Philadelphia, PA
October 19-22, 2018
Ruth Shellhorn: Midcentery Landscape Architecture in So Cal with Kelly Comras, presented by APLD Greater LA District.
Los Angeles, CA
October 23, 2018
The Re-Generation of Gardens
A presentation by Shawn Maestretti at the Los Angeles Arboretum.
Los Angeles, CA
October 24, 2018
Good Garden Photography with famed photographer Saxon Holt, workshops with APLD Sacramento District.
Sacramento, CA
October 27, 2018
International Pool, Spa, and Patio Expo
Las Vegas, NV
October 28-November 2, 2018
OCTOBER
11th Annual WaterSmart Innovations Conference & Expo with Watershed Wise Landscape Professional Training by G3.
Las Vegas, NV
October 2-5, 2018.
Secrets for Landscaping Success with Mountain States Wholesale Nursery in Mission Viejo, CA.
RSVP to jessica@calligari.com
October 3, 2018
Screening of “Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudulf” at the Gamble Garden in Palo Alto, CA.
October 3, 2018
Re-Oaking Silicon Valley with Erica Spotswood for CNPS
San Francisco, CA
October 4, 2018
San Diego Fall Home/Garden Show
San Diego, CA
October 5-7, 2018
Three-Part CA Native Garden Design with Carol Armour Aronson at Theodore Payne Foundation in Sun Valley, CA.
October 6, 20 & November 3, 2018
The 2018 Long Beach Landscape Expo
Long Beach, CA
October 10-11, 2018
Alliance Outdoor Lighting Showcase
Temecula, CA
RSVP to rlebaugh@allianceoutdoorlighting.com
October 11, 2018
Hardy Californians: The Life of Lester Rowntree
A lecture with UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley, CA.
Las Vegas, NV
October 11, 2018.
How To Design a Fire-Wise Garden at the Huntington Gardens in San Marino, CA.
October 11, 2018
The Fire-Safe Landscape with Kate Frey at Annie’s Annuals in Richmond, CA.
October 13, 2018
Kick Your Career Into High Gear
Getting the Most From Your APLD Membership
Layfayette, CA
November 13, 2018
Trees of the UC Berkeley Campus Walk with Jim Horner
Berkeley, CA
November 14, 2018
Building Resilience with Native Plants: Gardening for Wildlife with Theodore Payne Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
November 15, 2018
Pacific Horticulture Tour of New Zealand
New Zealand
November 15-30, 2018
Money Talks – Discussing Budgets with Clients
A presentation by Chris Grampp for APLD Bay Area in Palo Alto, CA.
November 28, 2018
American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) Annual Conference
San Diego, CA
November 28-December 1, 2018
NOVEMBER
Pacific Horticulture Tour of Chile, Gardens, Wine, Forests & Glaciers
Chile, South America
November 1-12, 2018
The CA Garden & Landscape History Society’s 2018 Conference
Marin County, CA
November 204, 2018
Vectorworks Design Summit
Phoenix, AZ
November 4-6, 2018
Submission deadline for APLD GLA 2019 Garden Tour
November 5, 2018
Arbor Day Foundation’s Partners in Community Forestry Conference
Orange County, CA
November 7-8, 2018
Soil, The Soil of Your Garden: The How’s and Why’s of Building Healthy Soil with Richard Hayden at the Gamble Garden in Palo Alto, CA
November 10, 2018
Exploring the World of Horticulture with Karl Gercens from Longwood Gardens of Pennsylvania for San Diego Hort Society
San Diego, CA
November 12, 2018
Screening of “Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudulf” at the Sherman Library and Gardens
Pacific Palisades, CA
November 13, 2018
Restore America's Estuaries' National Summit on Coastal and Estuarine Restoration and Management
Long Beach, CA
December 8-13, 2018
Building Resilience with Native Plants: Essentials of Native Plants with Theodore Payne Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
December 11, 2018
APLD Greater Los Angeles District Members Holiday Party + Cookie & Succulent Swap
Los Angeles, CA
December 15, 2018
DECEMBER
APLD San Diego District Annual Holiday Party and Mixer
San Diego, CA
December 1, 2018
The Re-Generation of Gardens
A presentation by Shawn Maestretti at the Los Angeles Arboretum.
Los Angeles, CA
December 1, 2018
Irrigation Show & Education Conference
Long Beach, CA
December 3-7, 2018
JANUARY
The Re-Generation of Gardens
A presentation by Shawn Maestretti at the Los Angeles Arboretum.
Los Angeles, CA
January 19, 2019
Bay-Friendly Training & Qualification Program for Landscape Maintenance
Oakland, CA
January 8-29, 2019
FEBRUARY
“The Best of Miami & Naples’ Gardens” with Pacific Horticulture Society
APLD member Amelia Lima & Raymond Jungles lead a tour in South Florida.
February 12-17, 2019
Nor Cal Landscape & Nursery Show
San Mateo, CA
February 14, 2019
MARCH
The AEHS Foundation's Annual International Conference on Soil, Water, Energy, and Air
San Diego, CA
March 18-21, 2019
APRIL
16th Annual Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour
Los Angeles, CA
April 6-7, 2019
Welcome New Members
Please give a warm welcome to these new members of the APLD California Chapter.
Student Members
Valeria Vincent Sancisi
Berkeley, CA
Bay Area District
Jeffrey Milestone
Belmont, CA
Bay Area District
Jorge Morales
San Diego, CA
San Diego District
Brenda Quintero
Los Angeles, CA
Greater Los Angeles Area District
Professional Members
Irving Tamura
Tamura Designs, San Jose, CA
Bay Area District
Allied Members
Mary Muszynski
Landible, Emeryville, CA
Bay Area District
Contributors to Fall 2018 Edition:
Call for Submissions
We invite your participation in the California Landscape Design magazine Winter 2019 edition. Please send your story ideas to us before December 1, 2018 to be included in the winter edition. Send email to: newsletter@apldca.org.