A private yard where native and mediterranean plants will grow full, provide seasonal colors, and attract wildlife.

Initially, the backyard was empty with weeds and a few perimeter trees. Now, it's a wonderful place to hang out and enjoy the sunshine.

From piles of dirt with debris from prior construction work to sifted soil transformed into fertile painting beds.

A new wing had been added to the home. We cleaned and amended the piles of 'dirt' and concrete, removing little from the site --a key 'Bay-Friendly Landscaping' practice.

Screening piles of soil already on site from prior construction of a new wing on the home.

here we screened the piles, removing rocks and other debris. The result was excellent native soil to be used to build planting beds.

Simultaneous activities, building the new patio and cleaning the pre-existing piles of soil.

In the background, you can see us building the new raised beds, or berms, created from the screened native soil.

Building out the new paver patio.

After selecting pavers that nicely match the home, we demo'd out the original broken concrete patio to install a nice modern one.

Building out the patio while the soil continues to be screened and preserved.

Lots of work going on simultaneously.

Almost done with the main patio.

The soil is used to build flowing, interconnected planting beds around the perimeter of the yard.

Stabilizing the finished patio.

Notice one of the other paver paths installed in the background. Can you guess what it's for?

Beginning to build up the planting beds with the freshly screened soil.

Pre-existing surface gravel and weeds, yet we had a plan to eliminate them permanently.

Installing steel edging to the planting circle in the middle of the yard.

Notice the other paver path radiating out to future seating areas under the trees in the back corners of the yard.

Installing and testing the new drip irrigation system.

Notice the wet spots as we ensure all is working now that the plants have arrived.

Drip irrigation on a 'smart' irrigation controller plus low-water use plants.

The plants were carefully chosen to provide colorful seasonal flowers and to attract birds, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial wildlife.

Watering in the new, drought-tolerant ground cover.

This bed has efficient overhead sprinklers for which the water district provides a rebate. The perimeter beds are all planted, too.

Weed cloth to prevent old weeds from reemerging.

All non-planted areas were covered with weed cloth to minimize future maintenance requirements.

Attractive mulches pull it all together.

Notice how attractive mulches calm and beautify what's now a balanced and flowing 'garden' with destinations, not just a flat, open lot.

Another perspective from one of the new garden sitting areas.

Notice the flowing, integrated planting beds, or berms, interrupted only to enable easy walking from place to place.

Another perspective looking back to the home and its new versatile patio.

Another perspective to the new design, plants and garden (still in its infancy.)

The flowing planting beds will evolve into a verdant and colorful ring around the yard as the new plantings grow in the coming seasons.

Flowers, colors, and foliage were chosen to evolve seasonally.

A nice new place to hang out and catch some rays.