We’ve just started some new plant beds at home and we used the White Lightning and Mushroom Compost. I can not tell you how exciting it is to look out my windows and see the plant life flourish! It is truly amazing what a little dirt and time will develop.

So put your boots on… It’s TIME to plant, re-seed, amend, or start that new garden!

Don’t let the rain get you down. It might take a day, week, or month, but you’ll love your spring makeover when the sun stays and it’s time to fire up the BBQ.

In the past, the city builders just focused on getting the water out of our way. Depositing it as quickly as possible into the sewer-runoff systems laden with many chemicals from our parking lots and over-fertilized lawns which , we now know, to be very harmful to our natural environment.

What can we do? Rip up all the roads/ parking lots and over stimulated lawns???

It takes time to make changes, but Portland is among the most progressive and motivated sustainable city in the nation. Runoff from streets and all types of hardscape surfaces are being diverted into Bio-swales. The chemically laden water is being filtered BEFORE it re-enters the rivers

On the home front, many of our clients are breaking out that solid block of concrete in their driveway, and installing alternative solid surfaces. They are using Portland gravels for pathways, and as the foundation to the environmentally friendly paver systems. A  solid, yet permeable, surface intended to slow the rainwater down and allow it to naturally percolate down into the soils getting filtered before r-entering the aquifers below.

This change alone is helping tremendously to reduce the amounts of waste pouring into the creeks and rivers.

WAY TO GO PORTLAND HOMEOWNERS !!

You are living in Portland, you are a part of the solution….. what are you doing this year to improve our collective water systems? Installing more gravel patios and walkways? De-commissioning your downspouts and creating your own mini-bios-wale?

Whatever the project, we have the drain-rock or gravel you need for the project !

So give us a call and let’s get you started  using our superior Portland gravels, organic soil amendments and organic mulch products.

Dean Innovations Landscape Supply (503) 281-1637.

…just like you, they are preparing for winter….

Leaves are nature’s food factories.  Plants use sunlight to create a kind of sugar which they use as building blocks to grow. Leaves contain a chemical called Chlorophyll which helps them make the food, the process is called Photosynthesis which means, “putting it together with light”. Chlorophyll is what gives the plants their green color.

As summer ends and autumn comes, the days get shorter and the trees begin to shut down their food making factories in the leaves. The trees do this because in winter they will not receive as many hours of sun and they must rest and become dormant, essentially going into slow mode until the season changes and they can make more food to sustain their bodies. The green Chlorophyll disappears from the leaves,  but there is a small amount of remaining sugars in the leaves .  These trapped sugars have a chemical reaction stimulated by the cool evening temperatures and turn red, yellow, purple. Some trees do not have any sugars left in their leaves, only waste product- those trees such as Oaks, turn brown.

These colors have been inside the leaves all summer, yet because of the large amounts of green chlorophyll present, we cannot see them. As the Chlorophyll vanishes, the other colors are revealed.

It is the combination of all these things that make the beautiful fall foliage colors that we enjoy each year.

Now, don’t forget to get your home prepared for winter- we have all the hardwoods you need to keep you happy…. Until the sun, once again, returns !

Call us today at Dean Innovations for firewood and all your organic landscape product needs – 503-281-1637

As we head into another winter season, don’t’ forget to get your clean, dry, perfectly spilt hardwood from our fantastic selection at the “yard”. We have the very finest quality of Juniper, Lodgepole, and premium hardwoods available for u-haul or delivery to you home.

Dean Innovations Landscape Supply (503) 281-1637.

Be sure to review the best operating practices for burning in your home:

• Burn only clean, dry, and seasoned wood that has been split and dried for at least 6 months.
• Burn hardwood rather than softwoods. Hardwoods are denser and burn more slowly and evenly, which produces less smoke. Hardwoods also provide more heat energy.
• Never burn garbage, trash, plastics, rubber, petroleum products, paints, solvents, charcoal/coal, or treated woods. Burning these materials can be toxic and extremely harmful. These toxins can also foul catalytic combustors and flues.
• Burn small, hot fires instead of large, smoldering fires.
• Use small pieces of wood and do not overload the appliance.
• Watch the chimney for smoke. Properly burning fires should give off only a wisp of white steam. The darker and thicker the smoke, the more pollutants the fire emits, and the more fuel it wastes.

Do not burn wood when the air quality is poor.

Good for you !

That’s all I have to say, no chores to consider, no projects to plan, just enjoy and let the certified organic garden compost do its thing. You done good, buddy !!

See you next week….. !

If you are still in the project planning, get going on the woodpile area of your driveway or shed. We have LOTS  of beautiful dry firewood to fill up your woodbox…..

So give us a call and let’s get you started  using our superior Portland organic soil amendments and organic mulch products for garden development and Cedar chips for those play zones !

Dean Innovations Landscape Supply (503) 281-1637.

This world that we live in has created a disconnection from natural environments that truly is a mistake. We at Dean Innovations believe that our natural products can help our society become whole and balanced …. One project at a time.

Gardening does not have a beginning and an end…. It is  an ever evolving cycle that we consciously choose to be a part of. We are garden crafters, honing our skills, editing our mistakes and always improving year after year.

Give us a call so we help you build on your success.  We are ready at all times to help you with your new projects or renovate any older garden areas that you may have.

Gardening with organic products makes you part of the solution and is a way of life that will make a difference for many years to come.

So give us a call and let’s get you started  using our superior Portland organic soil amendments and organic mulch products for garden development and Cedar chips for those play zones !

Dean Innovations Landscape Supply (503) 281-1637.

I must replace my tired, moss infested play lawn with a new updated lawn.

I have had too many water fights with my children, too many picnic lunches in the sun, too many garden tours, I must kill, till, and renovate the beloved play area before the season really gets in full swing.

After the soils are conditioned with organic compost and gravel for excellent drainage, my contractor will be using a revolutionary spreading perennial ryegrass. It has a fine, tight-knit texture, a rich, deep green color, low water usage, and if damaged can self rejuvenate it self (thus the name I suppose)

It is perfect for high traffic use areas and I can hardly wait to give it a trial run in my play area lawn.

So give us a call and let’s get you started  using our superior Portland organic soil amendments and organic mulch products for garden development and Cedar chips for those play zones !

Dean Innovations Landscape Supply (503) 281-1637.

As the sun begins to come out and warms the earth and surrounding air, you will no doubt, begin to catch the mingling of flower scents wafting around your nose. “Where is that fragrance coming from”…. It’s lovely ! “mmmm… it reminds me of my Grandma’s house when I was a child”…

Many people experience fond memories associated with garden fragrances, and these memories can be useful when you are designing your organic outdoor living space and gardens.

Locate your scented garden where you can frequently take advantage of its luxurious smells, allowing you to rejuvenate your spirit and unwind from a stressful day. Design a new summer seating area, plant them near your front door or close to a frequently opened interior window.

Excellent choices include:

Daphne, Choisya, Philadelphis, Sarcococca, Lilacs. Perrennials and fragrant groundcovers can also add fragrance as you move about and brush by their aromatic leaves, filling the air with a variety of subtle scents to tickle your nose.

Organic gardening is much more about taking care of yourself as well as the earth and should be considered in all areas of your landscape… not just the vegetable gardens.

So give us a call and let’s get you started  using our superior Portland organic soil amendments and organic mulch products for garden development and Cedar chips for those play zones !

Dean Innovations Landscape Supply (503) 281-1637.

The sun comes out, we are weeks behind our vegetable planting schedule, you really never thought the sun was going to come out and  then BOOM- it is here!!!

You have got to get those vegetable beds in full gear right now !  Do not wait another weekend .

What you need is a super, duper, jumpstart garden amendment. Something that has everything you need to support the new seedlings that you just purchased at the market.

Give us a call TODAY, because what you want is our WHITE LIGHTNING blend of garden soil. This is a “gourmet blend” designed with Laura Crocket of Garden Diva Designs.  This soil has a little bit of everything that Laura recommends  for the very best garden production. You will find worm castings, pumice, compost, manure, and Micorrhizal  fungi in this soil in just the perfect amounts. It is so delicious ( at least that is what your plants with think) and nutritious that your plants are gonna grow fast and strong. No garden bug will even THINK of trying to take them down.

Believe me, It’s a proven winner !

Note: for best tomatoes, be sure to provide cold protection in the early season, and plant them with a little lime to prevent blossom end rot.

So give us a call and let’s get you started  using our superior Portland organic soil amendments and organic mulch products for garden development and Cedar chips for those play zones !

Dean Innovations Landscape Supply (503) 281-1637.

Over the last few years, I have really made the financial investment in my comfort while relaxing outdoors.  I have built water proof structures and purchased all weather cushions,  furniture, portable heating elements and… even an outdoor rug!

I am sooooo happy when I am cuddled up on a weekend morning, rain or shine, in my outdoor space. My eye wanders around the garden watching the birds come and go, listening to their chatter. My Kitty comes for a visit and  a snuggle before wandering off to chase an irresistible bug.

I have worked hard for many years on this outdoor space of mine, and I have to say it is worth every penny I have spent, every hour of toil- truly.

Be sure to consider your old age when you begin to plan your garden landscape.  It happens to all of us…. Soon or later.

Creating a seating terrace out of pavers or gravel with a roof for shade and protection from the rain is a must for all Portland area gardens.

Invest in your happiness… believe me, you will be glad you did !

So give us a call and let’s get you started  using our superior Portland organic soil amendments and organic mulch products for garden development and Cedar chips for those play zones !

Dean Innovations Landscape Supply (503) 281-1637.