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Harvest Landscape Enterprises, Inc.

Newsletter

May 2014

Landscaping Trends Over the Decades
 
 Steve Schinhofen

I love looking at old family photos.
  
Beyond the smiling faces of relatives standing in their Sunday best beside the front porch, are nuances of the times reflected in the landscaping.
  
Community was big in the 1920s, and the front yard was typically considered something for the public to enjoy during evening strolls past flowerbeds teeming with foxgloves, phlox, pyrethrum, hollyhocks, roses, columbine and delphinium. The backyard was more utilitarian in design: a large open space to hang the laundry to dry, to burn trash or store it, to play a game of croquet or do some lawn bowling.
  
The Great Depression and World War II saw flowers being replaced by victory gardens. We started planting vegetables, not to be healthy, but out of patriotism, because most efforts were going into the war.
  
The 1950s saw a booming economy, and with it came larger homes, larger yards, bountiful green lawns dotted with pink flamingos and lined with evergreen shrubs. The backyard became a more social space with barbecues and swimming pools. This continued into the 1960s as the rage for the greenest lawn continued.
  
The 1970s brought with it a desire to get back to nature. Native plants and edible landscaping started to become popular: herbs, shrubs and trees that bore fruit.
  
In the 1980s, shade trees and flowers were gradually replaced by Mexican fan, queen, and many varieties of palms, which still dominate much of the landscape today.
  
The new millennium brought about a growing concern for the environment, the need to conserve water, and an appreciation for creating landscapes that also serve as habitat for animals. In some ways, we have seen a return to the 1920s, but we're incorporating a blend of all that was good from the other decades as well.
  
We still enjoy our lawns.
  
Many of us now boast vegetable gardens of our own at home, and palms are still iconic to the relaxed and friendly lifestyle we enjoy here in Southern California.
  
Next time you're going through the old photo albums, take a look beyond Aunt Sally and Uncle Bob and look at the landscaping around them. If you're lucky, you might spot a children's toy, an old car or bicycle, a bird bath, maybe even a croquet mallet. 
      _____________
  
Steven Schinhofen is President and CEO of Harvest Landscape Enterprises, Inc.
 
Severe Drought Conditions
Heighten Call for Conservation 
California is in its third consecutive dry year and there is no real relief in sight.
In January, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency. Last month, he issued a second executive order to make sure there's enough water to fight wildfires, assist cities and farmers.
More than 96 percent of California faces severe to exceptional drought, compared to just 30 percent one year ago.
"The driest months are still to come in California and extreme drought conditions will get worse," the governor warned. He called on all Californians to redouble their efforts to conserve water "in every way possible."
Harvest has been on the forefront of water conservation for many years. We have researched and developed a smart approach to landscaping that has saved many of our clients up to 70 percent in their water use. If you're looking to save water in your community, contact us to find out how. For tips on conserving water at home, visit Orange County Coastkeeper Garden at Santiago Canyon College. It's the county's largest demonstration garden and a project we are proud to have been involved with from the very start.

Who Says Work Can't be Fun?

We are grateful for the friendships we've formed over the years with so many great people who work hard, play hard and are dedicated to giving to others in order to make the world a better place. We enjoy working beside you at charity events, sharing laughter and celebrating each other's successes. Thank you for making us a part of your lives! Shown here (top left to right) are Tina Zurrica of Cardinal Property Management a raffle winner at a recent CAI-OC luncheon, representatives from First Service (who won the Management Company Challenge air hockey tournament at the CAI-GRIE Indoor Olympic Games), and Lindsay Dyer of PCM, another of our raffle winners. In the photo below, Team Harvest enjoys joining forces at the PCRF 5K, which raised money to cure pediatric cancer.

  Create a Colorful Garden to Last through the Summer

Getting ready to transform your Spring garden for the warmer weather ahead? Here are 10 plants that beat the Summer heat! Plant these heat-loving, hardy plants that thrive in hot weather. Simply water them once a week to enjoy their blooms all summer long. From Left to Right: Sun Eyed Susans, Mealycup Sage, Threadleaf Coreopsis, Madagascar Periwinkle, Lantana, Portulaca, Blanket Flower, Verbena, Zinnia, and Angelonia Angustifolia.

 

 

 

 

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