Soil Amendments
Soil amendments are added to improve the fertility, structure and water-holding capacity of the soil. The type of amendment varies with the conditions, type of soil and type of plants to be used. We generally get our soil amendments from American Soil Products and Acapulco Soil and Stone, in Richmond. We also use Diamond K when we are in Orinda, Lafayette, Walnut Creek and Concord.
Mulch
Mulch improves the water holding ability of the soil, adds nutrients and in many cases helps to control weeds. The type of mulch varies with the conditions and the type of garden. We often use shredded cedar mulch or Walt Whitman compost from American Soil Products, but many other mulches are available.
Plants
We install a broad pallet of plant material from flats and 4” pots to 36” box specimens. For most installations, we will order plants from a wholesale nursery such as Ogawa-Mune Nursery, in Fremont, or Devil Mountain Nursery, in San Ramon. When the wholesale nursery is out of stock or does not carry a desired species we will find it from a specialty nursery such as Soquel Growers, in Soquel, or Emerisa Gardens, in Santa Rosa. We also shop at local retail nurseries such as Berkeley Horticultural Nursery, Dwight Way Nursery, The Dry Garden and East Bay Nursery, in Berkeley, and McDonnell Nursery, Orchard Nursery and the Moraga Garden Center, in Contra Costa (see Nursery Reviews).
Stone
Patios and retaining walls built of stone are two of our specialties. We hand select the stones from American Soil Products or Acapulco Soil and Stone. We generally get bricks and pavers from Larm’s Building Materials, in Oakland, or from Morgan Bros., in San Leandro.
Irrigation and Lighting Supplies
Mu Landscaping believes in using the finest irrigation and lighting materials available. The irrigation system protects your landscaping investment. We buy our irrigation and lighting materials from Irrigation Equipment Company, in Berkeley, Ewing Irrigation, in San Leandro and The Urban Farmer, in Richmond.
Recycling
Wherever possible, materials and debris are recycled. Clean plant debris is taken to the recycling center where it is made into compost. Concrete and bricks are sorted and taken to the appropriate landfill. Extra reusable materials are taken to Urban Ore. Plant pots are taken to Berkeley Horticultural Nursery where they are recycled.