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Liz & Don Oakley

Sep 11, 2005, 5:09 PM

Post #1 of 4 (1830 views)

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Landscape Architect

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Can someone recommend a landscape architect in the Chapala / Ajijic area? We've purchased a lot in Vista del Lago and will be starting the house fairly soon. The lot is going to require some grading and we want to make sure that we anticipate requirements for raised beds, trees, drainage, topsoil, etc.

patricio_lintz

Sep 13, 2005, 10:18 AM

Post #2 of 4 (1788 views)

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Re: [Liz & Don Oakley] Landscape Architect

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Welcome to the neighborhood, Liz & Don!

Just remember two things, 1. Water always flows downhill.! 2. Water always seeks a level! :}

Seriously, plan on level planting beds, except for citrus & grapes, which like drainage. Slope for drainage from the house& use "French Drains" close to the house. I make these by using 4" tubos plasticos. Cut a saw cut every one to two inches (pulgadas) halfway through the pipe. Bury them cut side up in a sloped trench and fill with gravel (grava).

It is against colonos rules to drain your runoff into a neighbor's property. Therefore, route all water toward the street gutter, or into a dry sink, seepage pit, part of your septic system or into the sewer connection if there is one at your lot. There is not one up the hill to my place.

Stop by at the construction site some time & talk. One albanil speaks very good english, should we not be there.

Liz & Don Oakley

Sep 13, 2005, 10:42 AM

Post #3 of 4 (1783 views)

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Re: [patricio_lintz] Landscape Architect

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Thanks Patricio. We've been working on "getting to the neighborhood" for about 18 months now.

My wife and I both have black thumbs - if there is a way to kill a plant we can find it. A friend here in LA told us that plants don't do well if the beds are built directly on top of cuts from the grading. We're on the south side of the street, so the back yard will be all cut. I have visions of the roots rotting off of evrything.

We had planned on French drains around the foundation.

Unfortunately we're not going to be around much for the first part of the construction. Not our preference, but getting out of Los Angeles has proved to be more complicated than we thought. We'll definitely stop by when we're down.

dgaronson

Oct 14, 2005, 7:04 AM

Post #4 of 4 (1704 views)

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Re: [Liz & Don Oakley] Landscape Architect

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I´m new to the forum, so have just read your posting...there´s a woman named Cuca who works, with her family, out of a small vivero in Riberas del Pilar. It is located right beside Telecable.