Entries by Root & Branch

Maintenance Crews in HOA’s

If you live in a community with a homeowner’s association, you might wonder if your Maintenance Crews is doing the best job possible for your landscape. There are various practices that are considered beneficial for the long-term health and viability of plants and soil, and they are often disregarded by professionals. These include pruning methods, […]

Summertime . . . and the Watering is Easy

Well, summer has arrived and so have the drought restrictions, a regular part of living in Southern California! The Summertime Our local water municipalities are good at reminding us to water on certain days of the week. But we at Root & Branch wanted to give you some information and tips to make sure your […]

How to Choose Healthy Succulents

Shopping for succulents, especially at first, can be overwhelming with all the fanciful shapes and amazing colors. But how do you know if the plant that’s caught your eye is a healthy one that you want to bring home to add to your garden or collection? First, does the plant have nice, fat leaves? Many […]

Landscape Design 101

We’ve all been home for a while now, staring out our windows at what surrounds us. If you’re like most people, your view may be less than impressive. Or at least in need of “sprucing” up. Several people have asked me, “Where do I begin?” Well, here goes…     Best Landscape Design 101:   […]

The Fallacy of Turf

As a child I spent summer days laying on the grass or turf in the backyard, staring up at the blue sky with not a care in the world. My biggest concern would be if a half hour after lunch had yet passed so I could continue to swim “laps” in the blow-up pool. I […]

“How to” Plant a Container Garden

There are few things in life that bring me as much joy as a beautiful container garden with thoughtfully arranged planting material. Hmmm, well maybe a good bottle of red wine or a vodka martini, oh, sorry, never mind. Plant a Container Garden:   Start with a clean container. If you’re re-using a pot, wash […]