Considerations for Landscaping in Alameda

Being an island, Alameda has a few unique characteristics that must be factored into a landscape design there.

Like much of the East Bay, Alameda typically has warm, sunny weather throughout the spring, summer and fall. However, due to its location the town is privy to mild breezes off of the Bay, which serves to moderate temperatures and support a broader range of plants one can grow.

Additionally, the general east-west orientation of most neighborhoods and the many trees throughout the island create a fair amount of shaded environments. These characteristics are beneficial for water conservation and allows for a landscape design in Alameda to include attractive, shade-loving plants like California’s native ferns or flowering currant species. For those interested in cultivating edible species, broccoli, leafy greens and many other vegetables will also grow well in mixed shade gardens.

Properties that receive more sun will be suitable for beautiful-yet-rugged species such as California natives Ceanothus, Mimulus and Yarrow, or non-native, drought-tolerant plants like Lantana and Salvia.

The soil in Alameda is unremarkable on its own, typically sand or clay, and deserves to be amended. A garden or yard with clay soil is best modified with lime, gypsum/pumice and compost manure, while sandy soils require an infusion of organic matter, such as manure, grapeseed compost or even fallen leaves from the street.

Creating a serene garden landscape in Alameda is a natural fit with the town’s relaxed atmosphere and tree-lined neighborhoods, perhaps including hardscaping elements like a patio for a barbecue along with an artfully crafted fence and gate to define the space. If you’d like some ideas, please see our portfolio page.

  • "Michael and his team have transformed our yard into an oasis. From the start Michael was a co-creator in our vision, helping us to refine what we really wanted, make sensible decisions to meet our budget, and then using his vast experience to bring it to life. You can see the attention to detail and craftsmanship that his team applied in their work. We highly recommend engaging Planted Earth for your landscape project."

    Rob, El Cerrito

  • “Mick and the crew at Planted Earth are simply the best! Stunning, high-quality work. Accurate estimates. Timely completion. A trusted source for all our jobs, both big and small.”

    Joshua, Kensington

  • “Michael has done a number of projects at my home. In every case we have been thrilled with the results. He and his crew are easy to have around and do their work professionally and on schedule. I have also seen several of Michael’s projects at other sites and have come away impressed every time.”

    Geoff, Berkeley

  • “Michael has vast experience in all aspects of landscape; there is nothing he and his crew can’t handle. He has a great eye for design and the skills to make the ideas become reality. He is flexible, reliable, and very easy to communicate with. His crew and sub¬contractors are equally skilled and professional. Two years after the official completion of my yard, he is still available for even the smallest of requests for modifications or technical expertise with irrigation, lighting, and planting.”

    Donna, Piedmont

  • “We had a huge, slightly overwhelming landscaping project on a big lot that hadn’t been touched by anyone but deer for years. The team at Planted Earth was able to take our jumble of ideas and create for us a multi-¬staged plan so we could budget it bit by bit. Our garden now is so gorgeous; people driving by will often slow down just to check it out.”

    Amanda & Frank, Berkeley

  • “Planted Earth and Michael McFadden are the absolute best. They took our shabby, dated and overgrown backyard, and turned it onto a work of art. They worked extensively on price and design with us — we wanted something that looked awesome from a design perspective, but also worked with our lifestyle (we have a very active yellow lab). He came up with a design we loved, made it fit in our budget, built us a gorgeous redwood deck and arbor, installed paving stones and decomposed granite, worked with us to choose plants that we liked and suited the landscape, and handled all of the irrigation and sod.”

    Chloe, Walnut Creek

  • We've done multiple projects with Planted Earth. The outcome is not only beautiful, but structurally sound. They allow plenty of time for planning and budgeting to ensure you get the outcome you're looking for and remain available for questions after your project is finished. They also have crews who can come out to keep our yards beautiful and properly irrigated as needed. You can't go wrong with this level of skilled, attentive and personal service.

    Sheri, Oakland

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