April 2014 Newsletter

FormLA Newsletter

VALUED CUSTOMERS & FRIENDS+

Garden tour season is in full swing, and we are filled with gratitude for the amazing clients at our sides as we work to promote sustainable landscaping practices throughout Los Angeles!

The Rosen and Weiss-Lindberg families both hosted and educated hundreds of Theodore Payne Foundation Native Garden Tour goers this month. We are also oh-so-grateful to Jeanie Kay, Jean Cheng, and Nancy Feldman, who will bring their design savvy and passion for sustainability to the Pasadena Showcase House of Design as volunteer docents in the Rain Cascade Garden.

Sincerely,
Cassy and Kirk Aoyagi

LATEST NEWS+

View LEED®ing Rustic Canyon Garden
Gallery: Los Angeles Times. Anne Colby explores a LEED® property in Rustic Canyon. As playful as it looks, from the carefully shaded water features to the rainchain-fed infiltration pit, this garden is a water-saving powerhouse. Read More
Copy Natures Designs (Part 2)
Tips: Copying nature’s designs is a no brainer for homes with a wildland interface, but what about properties that are decidedly urban? Here the benefits may be even more profound! See examples of how we designed from nature at the Weiss-Lindberg garden, in mid-own Santa Monica, one of our two 2014 Theodore Payne Foundation Native Garden Tour homes. Read More
Exchange Now for May Blooms
Wet-to-Dry: April showers bring May flowers, but what happens when no one turns on the spigot? Exchanging Carpenteria californica for Camellias will bring blooms to your garden in May, come what may in April. Read More

WHAT TO EXPECT+

April brought more sunshine than showers, and May may bring more fires than flowers. We don’t need to tell you how important preventative measures are in protecting homes, particularly those that are adjacent to wild space.

Please fax your fire inspection notice to us (818-353-6837), and we’ll take care of the rest. If you are going it alone, please join us in taking the following steps:

Protect homes from fires:

  • Raise low branches on shrubs, keeping foliage off the ground
  • Open shrubbery and reduce flammable material with structural pruning
  • Remove all dead material and weed growth
  • Clear foliage away from rooflines and eaves
  • Maintain proper spacing among plants
  • Follow fire code restrictions within 200 feet of structures

Protect your health… and your wallet:

  • Eliminate sitting water to avoid mosquito breeding
  • Eliminate run-off and overspray by inspecting common sprinklers for leaks
  • Ensure optimal coverage via drip irrigation and timer management
  • Mulch to maintain soil moisture and prevent weeds
  • Water by hand where necessary

Ready gardens for summer:

  • Replenish vegetable and herb gardens…. Mmmm basil!
  • Evaluate Oak tree pruning needs for July and August
  • Take time to smell the salvia!

 

LATEST NEWS+

LEED®ing Rustic Canyon Garden
Copy Natures Designs (Part 2)
Exchange Now for May Blooms

UPCOMING EVENTS+

Pasadena Showcase House
Drought Tolerant Maintenance Workshop
Dwell on Design Exhibits
Indoor Outdoor Aesthetics

WHAT TO EXPECT+

Protect homes from fires
Protect your health… and your wallet
Ready gardens for summer

TEAM UPDATE+

Theodore Payne Foundation
Pasadena Showcase House
Job Openings

UPCOMING EVENTS+

April 13-May 11:Pasadena Showcase House

May 17: Drought Tolerant Maintenance Workshop

June 20-22: Dwell on Design Exhibits

June 22: Indoor Outdoor Aesthetics

Save the Dates
Request FormLA Speakers

TEAM UPDATE+

The Theodore Payne Foundation Native Garden Tour drew record crowds, and we enjoyed seeing so many new families. Thank you for joining us – and bringing your friends!

Pasadena Showcase House 2014 opens with great fanfare and a garden party!

In the coming months, we’ll hire a landscape designer/architect, a construction technician, and a third maintenance care manager passionate about client service, sustainability and design. Thank you to all of those who have sent candidates for our open maintenance care and design positions. We know the candidates coming through you share a passion for our mission, and we appreciate your help!

About FormLA Landscaping+

FormLA® Landscaping is transforming Los Angeles, one beautiful, sustainable landscape at a time. Learn more about sustainable landscaping in our Resource Center, see vibrant landscapes in our Project Gallery, or check our Events page to tour our work and meet the FormLA Team. We look forward to connecting with you!

CONTACT FORMLA+

Cassy and Kirk Aoyagi, Principals: Cassy@formlainc.com

Mark Britten, Production Manager: Mark@formlainc.com

John Avakian, Bookkeeping: John@formlainc.com

Ed Woodbury and Katarina Eriksson, Maintenance and Horticultural Team Leaders: Kat@formlainc.com and Ed@formlainc.com

USGBC FormLA on Facebook

 

info@formlainc.com • PO Box 441 Tujunga, CA 91043
phone 818.353.7030 • 310.979.9002 • fax 818.353.6837 • www.formlainc.com
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