Eco-Green

From Green to Good Health

Photo Source: Unsplash.

Did you know that people who live with access to a green space have been found to be healthier than their peers living day to day in the concrete jungle? It’s true! The benefits of living in an green, urban space have been proven to have long term positive effect on your health.

Researcher Mathew White, of the European Centre for Environment and Human Health at the University of Exeter in the UK, has discovered that people living in greener urban areas were displaying fewer signs of depression or anxiety. Research has also come out of the University of Washington, where scholars have made a clear case for the benefits of cultivating urban green spaces.

“Having quality landscaping and vegetation in and around the places where people work and study is a good investment. Both visual access and being within green space helps to restore the mind’s ability to focus. This can improve job and school performance, and help alleviate mental stress and illness.”

Access to urban parks was cited as a helpful tool to help people gain proximity to this beneficial kind of environment. Work with TBO and bring the same water features and green space you'd find in a park to your own backyard! 

Our clients often come to us so that we can help them design the most peaceful and relaxing space possible for whatever space and budget they may have. Water features such as the installation of floating steps, a basalt gurgler, or a mid-sized garden falls nestled in a wood have been found to transform backyards into beautiful spaces of retreat for our clients.

Just recently we designed and installed our first zen garden. Located in beautiful White Rock, British Columbia, this peaceful space is located on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Tasteful lighting, urban, statues, rock structures, and vegetation were used to create a soothing backyard oasis.

Share with us, do you find that you feel less anxious and on the whole more healthy after spending time in your garden? What aspects of your garden to you find to be the most enjoyable and/or relaxing? We would love to hear from you.

Interested? Chat with us today!

Harnessing Your Green Potential

Photo Source.

Are you taking hold of your green potential? Perhaps you’ve heard that Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has vowed to make Vancouver the “greenest city in the world.”  All over Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, stories of people harnessing their green potential are emerging.

Photo Credit: Metro Vancouver News. 

The University of British Columbia and the Vancouver Fairmont have opened up rooftop gardens, companies like Inner City Farms are taking off, and Heritage Vancouver has just wrapped up its 5th Annual Garden Tour.

Often people feel as though their options are limited because they live in an apartment, own a townhouse with a tiny yard, or have an awkwardly shaped backyard thanks to poor city planning in the suburb. But gone are the days when you have to have a mini hobby farm or acreage to participate in this green revolution. TBO is here to help you dream!

Do you live in a 15th floor apartment but miss the look of a lawn? No problem! Let us install a synthetic turf on your porch, achieving the effect of a tiny manicured lawn all year round! Needing a little peace in a week filled with looming deadlines and a hectic commute? Let us build you a peaceful waterfall to sit by, or better yet, a zen garden of your very own! Let us build you a pergola to grow your own grapes for wine or a terraced garden to grow strawberries to mix in those margaritas served at your next dinner party!

Just listen to our colleagues over at BC Basalt, “TBO'S builds gorgeous, methodical landscapes. They are a great company to work with!”

It doesn’t matter how small your space is or how impossible your vision seems, let us help you harvest your green potential, bring you happiness, and make your dreams a reality!

Interested? Chat with us today. 

A Definition of "Green" Terms

Green. Sustainable. Eco-friendly. Conservation. Years ago, these “green” terms were used to represent images of un-kept, chaotic landscapes with big compost bins. The well-maintained properties that had big driveways and unique features were viewed as damaging to the environment and unsustainable.

TBO's Landscaping has found the “sweet spot” between the two extremes: we create eco-chic landscape designs which are eco-friendly and breathtaking. Eye-catching features with sustainable practices and products give our clients the best of both worlds. This is how we can accommodate your lifestyle and the environment!

Green landscapes are a perfect combination of materials, methods and maintenance procedures. The ultimate sustainable garden is made up of all eco-friendly materials, installed using low-impact methods and is maintained in a way that conserves resources such as fuel and water.

What qualifies as "eco-friendly"?

Eco-friendly supplies are those that are being reused, are sustainable, or have been created from recycled materials. Reuse of materials often saves money and is a great way to keep potential waste out of the landfill.

Our method.

We can achieve a green garden by simply creating a clear and concise plan that outlines the correct materials for the upcoming project. Our green landscape construction methods are designed to conserve soil quality, existing root systems for plants, and protect any water sources nearby. When creating a design we do our best to limit dramatic changes from the existing landscape to minimize our environmental footprint.

Making a greener landscape comes down to simple choices like adding pavers instead of concrete or asphalt. Interlocking pavers allow rain water to percolate into the ground below helping to restore the local water table. Another simple example of going green is to add some fruit, herbs, or vegetables amongst your garden beds! Why not eat food grown on your property? Eco-chic landscaping has plenty to offer anyone with a yard and, oftentimes, these designs become the showcase and conversation piece of the neighbourhood!

Rainwater Harvesting 101

Rainwater is one of the most precious resources in the world. Fortunately here in B.C. we are gifted with an abundance! Unfortunately, the building industry has convinced most home-owners that water is a major threat to their homes and properties, therefore it being important to get rid of it A.S.A.P.! The truth is, if you were to use the correct tools to harness this priceless gift you would be years ahead of the building and development industry! Rainwater Harvesting systems are perfect for indoor use such as flushing toilets and washing clothes, or outdoor use to wash vehicles and pets. Best of all, you can water your lawn and gardens whenever you want in summer months as this no longer controls you by the city watering restrictions! If we install an in-ground drainage system you can additionally reclaim and filter any excess run-off water and use it again!

One of the best ways to use this system is to include a water feature! In doing this, you are able to enjoy and show off the water you are secretly storing underground! If you were to choose to include a pond with fish and plants, this would add even more nutrients to the water for irrigating your landscape! At this stage you would have a mini eco-system on your very own property. A holistic approach based on nature’s intelligent design is always the recommended route, but something as small as a single rain barrel does make a difference in the world.

Excavating the pit for the drainage system.

Installing the modular storage basin.

City storm-water systems have been created to take the water from our roofs and street to direct it into our streams, rivers and oceans carrying harmful chemicals at high velocity. This is extremely damaging to our local eco-systems and is causing greater destruction to plants, fish, and animals than the average person would guess. It’s through small steps like residential rainwater harvesting that will help to heal our local eco-systems and prevent local flooding. We aim to change the world with our clients to create a better world for tomorrow. We hope to partner with you on a rainwater project soon!

The rainwater storage system is underneath the grass lawn to the left of the pool!