So I realize that a lot of the hits I get on my blog aren't actually real people, they are little "robots", programs designed by the search engines to troll websites and rank them. I'm glad those robots look at my blog. But, I suspect that some of you are actually real people, and I'd be so much more excited if real people were reading this.... You are real, aren't you? I'd love to know who you are, and more than that, I'd love to know what you want to know about!
I'm an obsessive reader of Slate.com and on there they have a weekly advice column. Would you guys be interested in the garden design advice column? As in, you send me your garden questions and I'll answer them... what do you think?
Do you like some of my articles but hate others? Maybe there is something you wish I'd touch on... if so, write a comment! Ask and you shall receive!
Or just write me a comment and introduce yourself. Are you a fellow designer? If so, I want to see your website! Are you a homeowner looking for ideas to implement in your own garden? I could write more about do-it-yourself projects. Are you in San Diego and hoping to learn more about what grows here, or where to buy pottery, or how to find a contractor? Let me know that and I'll get you answers! Want to see what I am working on? I can show before and afters. Right now I'm working on a design in google's 3-D drawing program, sketchup, wanna see it?
Its a lonely word blogging for the robots. If there are real people out there, say 'hello' and it'll make my day. Tell me something about who you are and it'll make my week!
By the way, the awesome metal grate in this photo is from a design by Jeffrey Gordon Smith, who I stalk... well, I stalk photos of his designs I should say. I think the grate might be made by Iron Age Designs.
© Kate Wiseman 2012. In San Diego? Want your own waterwise landscape design? I'd love to help! Please visit www.sageoutdoordesigns.com for more info.
Hello, I blog about well designed things at CleanSheetsAndDirtyGirls.blogspot.com. Recently, I've been getting into gardening in the hopes of growing my own food.
ReplyDeleteNow following.
T. Roger, I'll admit I was nervous to actually look at your blog... it sounds a lot more scandalous than it is, though. It sounds like you are a real, live, San Diegan?
ReplyDeleteHi Kate we just can't blame these people because its a part of their promotional tactics to create a back links for their sites, and you're fortunate because your readership and page authority is high. I am also impressed in your vast knowledge in gardening. How did you learn all of those? did you read a lot of book or do you took up a specialized course for that?
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, and for the most part I let people do that on my blog since I'm a small business owner too, and I can sympathize. Google has so much sway in all of our lives now!
DeleteI have been learning about gardening my entire life. My Dad has a green thumb that puts mine to shame, and my grandma passionate loves Japanese gardening and Bonsai, so I have been hanging out with plant nerds my whole life. But I also do have degrees- one in Botany and a masters in Landscape Architecture. Are you local? I'd be happy to recommend some ways to start learning about plants!
Kate, you should write what you feel to write about, and I have enjoyed looking at your posts, just a normal bloke, beginning with the development of my garden by the ocean, mad about succulents - both garden and hobby, love seeing other peoples work as inspiration as I develop mine. LT
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you!
DeleteIf you love succulents, check out Waterwise Botanicals (http://waterwisebotanicals.com). They have a great informative website with lots of photos, and they have some demonstration gardens up at their nursery that show how to integrate succulents with low water perennials.
Thanks, had a look - lovely gardens.
DeleteHey, Kate!
ReplyDeleteI found your blog late last year and read it almost entirely in my RSS feed reader (I use Vienna), so you probably never even see my traffic — though I'm a big fan.
I live in Salt Lake City, and I'm an urban development aficionado with a love for gardens (public and private). So I follow a number of horticulture-related blogs, including yours and Oehme van Sweden. I love the ideas, and will pin ideas I find here to my Pinterest boards for urbanism, architecture, horticulture, and a couple projects.
http://pinterest.com/dcharrison/horticulture/
http://pinterest.com/dcharrison/home-balcony/
http://pinterest.com/kentinitiative/granary-district-granary-row/
http://pinterest.com/dcharrison/urbanism-transit/
http://pinterest.com/dcharrison/design-architectural-details/
Nice to meet you, too!
DeleteI've been a huge fan of Oehme van Sweden ever since I got their book Gardening with Nature. I was just starting out in the field and it just floored me and completely changed the way I looked at design.
Thanks for sharing your pinterest links. I've been thinking of trying it out as a better way to share the images I come across and fall in love with. If I get there, I'll let you know!
Oh! Speaking of Pinterest — I love the photo up-top, of the drain gate integrated into the door lintel. I'd love to pin it, and wonder if you have that same image in another blog post. Preferably one that talked about that image. :-)
ReplyDeleteShoot, I don't. I think I took that image from Jeffrey Gordon Smith's website. I don't know how pinterest works, can you link to it there?
DeleteI'm so glad I asked! There are real people out there!
ReplyDeleteIt means a lot to me to get to see and hear just a little bit about who you are. For those of you still hiding in the woodwork, say hello. I would really love to meet you.
Cheers,
Kate
Pinterest is so easy — and addictive. I think you'd do very, very well on it.
ReplyDeleteIf it's daunting, feel free to reach out to me; I'd be happy to do a phone or Skype chat to walk you through the particulars.
My e-mail is my name on the gmail.com network.
— Christian Harrison
Hi I'm Amy, a fellow San Diegian. I love plants and secretly wish that I had your job! I am in real life a web designer. I come here because I like the photos and your perspective on landscape design. We are buying a new house and I would love a QA type thing. I specifically have a question about how you incorporate drainage. The side of our house drains toward it and we need it to drain away obviously. It is only about 5 or 6 feet wide but I'd still like it to be somewhat aesthetically pleasing.
ReplyDeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing yourself! I secretly wish I had your skills! I have just been redesigning my website to get it onto a wordpress template and I'd love to know what you think.
There are a few options for you but your best bet might be a french drain. That is basically a trench that you fill with gravel, and in the bottom of the trench you put a pipe that has holes in it (and is wrapped in filter fabric to keep out dirt), so the water can seep in. Then you run the pipe out to the storm drain.
The issue that comes up sometimes, though, is if your property is too flat, like if you live in Northpark. Then you can't get the pipe part of the system to work because there isn't enough fall between the problem area and the storm drain inlet. If that is the case, you can drain to a bigger gravel-filled pit in your backyard that basically allows the water to slowly percolate into the ground. This is actually the most eco-minded solution, because it keeps pollutants out of the storm drain system, and hence out of the ocean. If you need more help, send me an email or give me a call- all my contact info is on the Sage website!
Cheers,
Kate