San Mateo
Project Summary
This project was a collaboration with our friend Patricia Algara of Base Landscape Architecture. Farmscape focused on the edible garden portion of the design, located on the downslope of the property to avoid interfering with the spectacular views of downtown San Francisco and the Bay Area. We grow hundreds of pounds of food here annually as part of our weekly maintenance, all with rainwater and greywater, courtesy of the unique irrigation system installed by the building contractor.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Location Details
| LOCATION | SAN MATEO |
| PROJECT AREA | 3,500 SQ FT |
| SUNSET ZONE | ZONE 17 |
| CHILL HOURS | 600 HOURS |
| WINTER SUN | 6 HRS/DAY |
| SUMMER SUN | 8 HRS/DAY |
| ANNUAL RAINFALL | 19 INCHES |
Project Goals
This was a fun one, as we got to collaborate with our longtime business bud Patricia Algara and her great team at Base Landscape Architecture to revegetate and reinvigorate the land surrounding this historic compound. Base handled the major site elements, which let us focus on food and farming. This was the first site we did that is fully irrigated with rainwater — a collaboration with WaterSprout, a local engineering firm we worked with again at the Core Agrihood.
Photography by Caitlin Atkinson
“We wanted our landscaping to focus on food production, but we also were in the midst of the worst drought California had ever experienced, so water conservation was key.
Neighbors and guests just say one word when they come in: ‘Wow!’ When we show them the extent of our work, including the orchards and the terraces out back with annuals, the general feedback is, ‘I wish we would have done this. We didn’t know that this type of resource, people who would plan landscapes for food, existed.'”
—David Leventhal, homeowner
Quit landscaping.
Start Farmscaping.
Are you ready to start enjoying fresh produce from your backyard year round while supporting pollinators and saving water? Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
