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"Where Should I Sit?" with Garden Seating
by: Josie Duval

Garden seats aren't merely a sensible inclusion for the backyard, but they have in actual fact develop into popular features of your garden décor.  Read more >>
Related Topics: Benches, Material Choices, Outdoor Rooms

Find out What to Prune
Late winter is the best time to prune almost everything, giving cuts a long time to heal before the following winter where they would be susceptible to infection and disease.  Read more >>
Related Topics: Winter Plant Care, Tools

Design the Perfect Water Garden
by: Douglas Hoover

A water garden can be the most enjoyable investment you could ever make, or the biggest wet nightmare.   
Read more >>
Related Topics: Waterfall Design, Pond, Koi, Filtration Systems

Good Container Gardening Ideas
by: Donald Piccinich

Container gardening is great for those that rent their home and are not allowed to dig up a place in the yard, or those with a small space for gardening.  Actually, it's great for everyone.  
Read more >> 
Related Topics: Container Gardens, Container Water Gardens, Gardening for Renters

Attracting the "Good" Bugs
by: Mike Podlesny

Learn more about the benefits of beneficial insects and how they can save you time and money this growing season.   Read more >>
Related Topics: Lady Bugs, Preying Mantis, Biological Pesticide

"Taking Back Your Garden" or "The Many Ways to Kill a Weed"
by: Rudy Silva 

There are many ways to kill weeds, including using commercial chemicals specifically designed to kill grass weeds.  Read more >>
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Star Apple Edible + Fine Gardening creates aesthetically designed, organic edible gardens in the SF Bay Area and will be regular contributors to our site so check back often for more updates!  
Persimmons
Stefani of Star Apple edible+fine gardening
Many people grew up thinking there was only one type of persimmon, one that wasn't all that tasty.  Star Apple points out there are two varieties!  So get out there and plant a persimmon tree, not only as an attractive landscape tree, but also an edible delight.
The Chicken Diaries - Part 1
by: Stefani of Star Apple edible+fine gardening
It all started with the Coop.  It led to seven baby chicks spending eight weeks in my guest room shower, discovering that a heat lamp really can melt plastic, seven chicks means a lot of chicken poop, heartbreak when two grow into roosters, and discovering that chickens really can make great pets.  But I am getting ahead of myself.

Grow Your Own Rhubarb

A few of you have asked us about rhubarb recently. You’ve seen it in the nursery, eaten it at a restaurant or we’ve planted it for you in your garden – however you started thinking about it, you know you want it but are not quite sure of the next step!  If you are thinking of planting some rhubarb in your garden, here’s some basics to get you started. Read more in this article from Star Apple Edible + Fine Gardening.

Our Services


We provide consultation services for landscape enhancement.  We open the possibilities of design in even the smallest of spaces creating emotion and movement.  Any outdoor space has the potential for greatness, it simply needs to be unlocked.  That is what we are here for.  Our services are for the homeowner, the creative types who know what they want, but don't know how to get it.  Exterior by Design can help.
Exterior by Design drawings are created for the homeowner, written in simple english, not contractor-ese.  Colored plans are accompanied with plant suggestion lists, each specimen carefully chosen for maximum enjoyment and placement.  These drawings can then be handed off to a contractor or completed by a do-it-yourselfer.  Lighting plans can also be added to maximize the experiential time each of our designs create.  

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Garden Consulting

A garden consultation includes:
  • A home visit by one of our team members
  • Suggestions for any space you have questions about*
  • A detailed post visit report recapping our suggestions
Garden consulting is priced per hour of visit with a 90 minute minimum.  

*All suggestions are merely that, suggestions.  Exterior by Design is not responsible for the construction, upkeep or maintenance or issues a homeowner may come across while following our advice.  This advice is not a contractual document and may be followed as a homeowner or contractor sees fit.
Learn more about our drought tolerant gardening services here.

Landscape Design

The landscape design package includes:
  • A detailed spatial arrangement plan drafted for your space with suggestions for building materials and color palettes
  • A planting plan with plant suggestions based on sunlight exposure, geographical location, and water restrictions
  • A lighting plan for low voltage installation*
  • A list of local suppliers and contractors to complete your project
* Extra fees apply.  Landscape design is priced by project size, and will be agreed upon after initial site visit.
Gallery of Past Projects

Email: Exteriorbydesign@gmail.com

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Exterior by Design - P.O. Box 4796 - Thousand Oaks, Ca. 91359