Steve Snedeker’s Landscaping and Gardening Blog

It is always a dance to determine the best look for stairs within the scope of a wall.  Here, we opted for the curved look, something somewhat dramatic to open out as one climbs down them, witnessing the incredible view of this place.  Notice the waterfalls at each side of the stairs, which I posted earlier.  These are uncommonly interesting when they flow.

Same timing as the preceeding days, just before the planting process involving plants and perennials.  This project has become a labor of love, I have serious “pep in my step” when I visit here.  We are suspecting we have something very special ongoing, as does the client.  I will post finished pictures as we develop.

Another view of the Washoe Valley project, the 10 acre landscape for our good friend.  I will keep these going, especially inasmuch as these are actually “progress pictures”.  We are now beginning to add plants and perennials which we have not yet addressed, owing to such a severe Winter and the drainage issues which we were forced to deal with.  This is recently taken and is something of a “before” picture.

This and the next three shots are of a house currently under construction, here in Reno.  Check out the fabulous views!  The stage we are at was, prior to our recent dismal Winter, having installed almost all the major trees for the entire 10 acres of this marvelous setting.  This is a project for a great guy and friend, who hit it sort of large in home building and decided he wanted to make his Home Of Dreams.  We are trying to make that work. 

I hesitate to call this something along the lines of standard, because this place has a backyard to die for.  However, for purposes of clarity, this is sort of a great example of a very nicely done front yard.  Welcoming, quite expansive and open, lots of green and some cool colors in the perennial mix.  Sam, here, used interesting rock mulches, darker rocks, very shiny, which made the plants and grass stand out in a nice color contrast. 

These shots are a part of the preceeding project, one from the other direction in the rear patio and, of course, our ubiquitous water feature. 

Here’s a little patio project, complete with water feature and a pathway around most of the house here in Reno.  This was a labor of love for a truly cool couple, new to the area.  A reference from friends/clients, the design and installation were an utter treat throughout the entire process.  They plied us with Cokes and beer, lol, a secret to having a contented crew, then we had this wonderful dinner to celebrate the completion.  Some projects just work so well and remind one that the personal side of things is at least as important as the objective results.  When they both work well, you gain friends as well as maybe make a bit of money and indulge one’s ego.  All of that is good, lol. 

This is another cool Vancouver project we did specifically for the owner.  He paid enormous attention to the very high rent condominium project, fussing over details, lol.  In the end, we had a great time and everyone loved the job.

This is the same project as the prior picture , just another spot in the seemingly never-ending rows of retaining walls.  I loved the project then and it has turned out magnificently, over time. 

This site is also provided in another section of this blog, under Northwest Landscaping/Commerical.  This is the same project, just another location within it.  We made the walls from Railroad Ties, using an immense quantity. Very satifying, if laborious, work.  The pictures here are about 8 years following completion.