Greetings!
 "April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks Go." ~Christopher Morley, John MistletoeYes, it's true, spring is here at long last! I am enjoying the sunshine and looking forward to working in spring gardens old and new.
My April calendar is almost 100% full already, but I will do my best to try and squeeze everyone in this month or next. The earlier you let me know your plans, the more flexibility I will have in scheduling something. So, if you're the procrastinating type who likes to wait until April 15 to schedule an installation for April 17, consider this fair warning that those dates may already be taken. Thanks and happy gardening!
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Tribeca Modern
Design Spotlight 
This roof garden in Tribeca was a blank slate when we first started work on it. The primary concerns were the lack of privacy caused by windows overlooking the roof from an adjacent building and the lack of shade caused by a full southern exposure.
The client's tastes were very modern, so in keeping with that I recommended this dining set with stainless steel trim. It looks great with the stainless steel portable heat lamp on the right, which helps keep the roof warm on cool nights.
We addressed the need for privacy using long planters filled with tall bamboo plants. Free-standing bamboo canes were also used to fill in any gaps.
The pergola and the containers were both built out of long-lasting ipe wood and painted a matching color. The pergola provides a cool respite on this very sunny terrace.
The plants are all watered using an automated drip irrigation system for a garden that is truly low-maintenance and hassle-free.
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All Systems are Go for Spring!
Automated drip irrigation systems take the guess-work out of plant watering and can make even the sunniest gardens maintenance-free. April is the month to turn your irrigation systems back on for the season, but I would wait until after the 15th to prevent any hose bursts caused by late-season cold snaps.
It's a good idea to check the 10-day forecast on or around the 15th and just make sure that temperatures are not expected to drop below freezing again. I recommend replacing the old batteries. You should also clamp the end of the line and do a test run of the system at least once before setting it to automatic watering.
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Teak Meets Metal
Planter of the Month 
Okay, I've seen a lot of wood planters out there on the market, and I've seen a lot of metal ones, too, but seeing a combination of the two was a first for me. I must admit that I really do love the look of this teak and metal planter. It looks very contemporary and sleek, which is almost impossible to do with ordinary wood planters. It also has the organic, natural feel of the wood, which offsets the more modern metal element in a really nice way. The raised legs of the planters help prevent rotting by keeping the wood up above any standing pools of water. This is a smart design with a great aesthetic.
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