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530-321-9715
530-828-6390
This property is about 1 acre and holds many different micro-habitats allowing for a lot of creativity in our design.  The entire project was completed organically using ecologically sound methods for its living sustainability.

  • Design with pergola, retaining walls, diverse gardens and drip irrigation
  • Installation using FSC  redwood and other materials purchased locally
  • Subsequent HLM with no mowing services (Clients do it themselves!)
FSC redwood was purchased for this pergola.  The wood was 'antiqued' to give it a rustic appearance.  The hardware was also chosen to accentuate the raw feel of the wood.  3 wine barrels were  designed with the posts placed inside for drip irrigation of self sowing climbing deciduous vines.  The shade created for this patio is nicely filtered by the wooden slats of the pergola to allow for light to enter but not the intense heat of this southern facing wall.
Looking from the patio out into the sun gardens the pool is actually elevated about 5 feet above the surrounding terrain.  Narrow turf areas enclose the pool in a curvy half moon shape as burmed garden beds slope down to the vegetable gardens and pump house below.   A native stone retaining wall surrounds much of the elevated turf area intermingled on each side with steps down into the Oak woodland shade garden or over to the RV pad and vegetable gardens.
MORE of the Coots Project...
Coots Backyard Project 2007
(mouse over photos below to see the before images)
FSC constructed pergola with solar panals in view. **Patio furniture was made by our Clients father from wood he reclaimed. A beautiful and eco-friendly addition to this already resource efficient outdoor living space!Pergola construction up close with annual self seeding vines. When the vines have seeded out and died back more sunlight can penetrate the home creating additional warmth in the winter seasons. The opposite applies during summer months, effectively cooling the home.The post for the pergola is well protected inside a pipe within the wine barrel allowing for drip irrigation to be easily added to this 'planter bed'. Multi-function is the key to any efficient design element.A mass of perennials fills the area just beyond the lawn creating a nice sloping edge down to the landscape below. Edges are important to establish in the landscape as they increase habitat and beneficial populations of insects and soil organisms.The dense shade created by the huge Valley Oaks is the perfect woodland garden. Oakleaf Hydeangea, native Dicentra and all varities of ferns are a brilliant contrast to the Oak leaf mulch all season.The turf is elevated to the surroundiung terrain here and retained by stone. The minimal turf care required is managed completely by the owners. Organic fertilizers are added as needed for health and vigor.Eco-design considerations: * Solar outdoor lighting * Mulch produced On-Site * FSC constructed pergola (not local but FSC non the less) * Plants purchased locally * Organic fertilizers only / no pesticides ever applied * Compost produced locally * Addition of edibles and habitat to landscape
© Gaia Creations Ecological Landscaping & Permaculture Solutions 2007-2011 * PO Box 3358 Chico, CA 95927 * 530-321-9715
"In nature, there are no rigid borders, the edge is more a diffuse region of exchange, an interchange of elements and a net for new information, in the form of nutrients, seeds or cultural exchange.  Edges are extremely important. They are the most productive areas in terms of species as well as actual physical production. At the edge of two ecosystems, species from both systems as well as special species adapted to the conditions of the edge are found." (Tippett 1993)