Welcome to the Landsystems Landscapes blog! We’ll be covering a variety of topics related to landscaping, sustainable techniques, outdoor gardening and living, and enjoying our amazing little piece of the world known as the San Francisco Bay area.

This is our first entry, and we figured you’d like to get to know us a little better. Landsystems was founded over 25 years ago in Redwood City, and we’ve been proudly serving Silicon Valley and the Peninsula ever since, specializing in complete landscaping design and solutions – from backyard cooking areas, to gardens, arbors, gates, fences, driveways, water features and even pools & spas – all designed to make your home more liveable and satisfying.

To get a better feel for the company’s beginnings, I asked founder and principal Tim Vine a few questions….

Tim, how did you get started in Landscaping?

My horticultural leanings began early with an entrepreneurial endeavor growing vegetables south of London and selling them to neighbors, friends and family. Having graduated college (in Horticultural management) I worked within the green industry in the UK, Sweden and France. My father was a great gardener and his sister’s mother use to (allegedly) grow oranges in Dundee, Scotland. On a whim I applied for, and received, a J1 visa for the US and, well, I have been here mostly ever since.

What types of projects do you enjoy most?

I enjoy projects that change people’s lives either by creating outdoor spaces that the family can use as an additional room, barbecue areas and bars that move the entertaining outside, or by creating customized spaces specific to the desires of the client….bocce ball courts, fun swimming pools, fragrant gardens, tranquil spots to relax under a grove of trees…anything to let people enjoy the amazing Mediterranean climate of the Bay Are!

Landsystems been interested in environmental sustainability for years. Now, the State of California and water agencies may begin to limit water use (some say by as much as 20%) even in non-drought years. Can you talk a little bit about the Green/Sustainable techniques that Landsystems utilizes?

We have been interested using green techniques for a while because it’s the right thing to do. Some of our sustainability efforts include:

• Using low water drip irrigation for nearly all planting for 20 years+

• Utilizing grey water systems & underground cisterns, when practical
• Promoting recycled mulch in all planting areas
• Suggesting plants that are adapted to this area (including indigenous/native species or those from other Mediterranean areas of the world)
• Recycling concrete when possible for use as retaining walls
• Balancing fill company wide so little is taken to landfills
• Chipping as much vegetative waste material as possible for use as mulch
• Designing projects to existing topography so retaining walls are minimized
• Implementing permeable hard surfaces where possible to minimize run off
• Selecting plant species that do not need regular insecticide/fungicide spraying

Thanks for sharing Tim! Please feel free to comment or contact us directly with any questions or ideas for blog topics.  And don’t forget to bookmark this site and our home page for updates: http://landsystemslandscapes.com