Landscape Architect Articles

Committed to Green: Profile: Ray Thengvall of The Frog Hollow Green Group08-01-07 | News

Committed to Green:
Profile: Ray Thengvall of The Frog Hollow Green Group

By Leslie McGuire, managing editor

He and his wife started the business in 1978 in Orange County, Calif. but left for a slower paced lifestyle in the Gold Country in 1989. However, he did not escape completely. The region has experienced a steep growth curve in the past decade. Photos courtesy of The Frog Hollow Green Group

Ray Thengvall, president and founder of The Frog Hollow Green Group, believes water is a precious commodity in the West and should never be wasted, even though his area is not under any restrictions.

Today, water is at the forefront of limited resources, with state and county agencies continually working to manage and preserve the finite amount of water that is available for human use. Numerous laws affecting how consumers use water?EUR??,,????'??+including the Clean Water Act and the California Environmental Quality Act?EUR??,,????'??+have been set forth in an attempt to preserve the quality and quantity of water available.

Plant designs integrated with the surrounding environment lead to a self-sustaining landscape. The Frog Hollow strives to introduce appropriate plants that are well-adapted to climatic conditions. ?EUR??,,????'??Our plant palette links environmental conditions with client lifestyles to produce an extension of the home that is in harmony with self and nature,?EUR??,,????'?? says Thengvall. Their plant choices and arrangement minimize water and maintenance requirements?EUR??,,????'??+providing a high-quality and sustainable setting.

Frog Hollow?EUR??,,????'???s plant choices and arrangement minimize water and maintenance requirements?EUR??,,????'??+providing a high-quality and sustainable setting. Specimen trees, accents, shrubs and vines are chosen to provide landscapes that enhance privacy, guide eyes towards points of interest, and evoke feelings of serenity.

History

Frog Hollow is the oldest large-scale landscape contractor in the area. Even today, Thengvall?EUR??,,????'???s only competition comes from the Central Valley?EUR??,,????'??+not the foothill area. He and his wife started the business in 1978 in Orange County, but left for a slower paced lifestyle in the Gold Country in 1989. However, he did not escape completely. The region has experienced a steep growth curve in the past decade with new resorts, golf courses, housing developments, and Frog Hollow has grown along with the area.

Plant designs integrated with the surrounding environment lead to a self-sustaining landscape. The Frog Hollow strives to introduce appropriate plants that are well-adapted to climatic conditions.

Current operations

The Frog Hollow Green Group has nine crews running at all times, plus an office staff of five. They do mostly installations and design, with very little maintenance. Generally, there are five or six jobs going at once. Most of them are commercial and housing developments with a few residences.

Frog Hollow serves several surrounding counties, but also has a new project in Napa, a Westin timeshare resort in downtown Napa. Thengvall plans to open a satellite office in Napa or Sonoma county this fall. The Westin project is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2008. A special feature of this project will be the plant material and sod which will be installed on the second floor of the building.

Thengvall?EUR??,,????'???s biggest client is Castle & Cooke, a developer whose commitment to Green Building carries over to the landscaping, according to Ray. Frog Hollow installed the landscaping at Saddle Creek, a Castle and Cooke resort community with a golf course in Calaveras County, nearly 10 years ago.

The use of state-of-the-art equipment gives them the ability to irrigate landscapes in conjunction with satellite monitored weather data. Studies show this method of irrigation can lead to annual water savings of between 10 and 60 percent, and reductions in runoff of up to 70 percent. Here, irrigation technician Raul Ziranda Rauda installs the Toro 570PRX nozzles that Thengvall prefers for their water-saving characteristics.

Another water conservation technique used is adding Zeba, a super-absorbent cornstarch-based granular soil amendment, to each new planting. Thengvall says it can cut down frequency of irrigation in new plantings from eight to nine times a day to one to three times.

Their Philosophy? ?EUR??,,????'??Green Landscaping?EUR??,,????'??

The Frog Hollow employs water-wise practices, while its knowledgeable staff designs hydraulically engineered systems. The use of state-of-the-art equipment gives them the ability to irrigate landscapes in conjunction with satellite monitored weather data. Studies show this method of irrigation can lead to annual water savings of between 10 and 60 percent, and reductions in runoff of up to 70 percent. This leads to substantial savings and healthier landscapes. ?EUR??,,????'??We believe our clients deserve cost-effective systems that bring the beauty of a multifaceted landscape to their homes,?EUR??,,????'?? says Thengvall.

Using Water Conservation Techniques and Tools.

Since 1979, Ray has used Toro irrigation products in all projects Frog Hollow designs or installs. ?EUR??,,????'??They are on the cutting edge of water conservation and use. Following their guidelines (or any manufacturer?EUR??,,????'???s guidelines) are the keys to a cost-effective system,?EUR??,,????'?? he says.

For example, 570Z fixed-spray nozzles have zero-flush seals to prevent flushing on pop-ups thus saving on water. Flushing after each irrigation can waste nearly a half-gallon of water per nozzle. This nozzle has a filter basket to keep out dirt. It can also be fitted with a shut-off device to conserve water in case of a broken nozzle.

Another product he uses: MPR Plus spray nozzles that allow matched precipitation rates. This ensures that all nozzles (every arc within a family) apply water at approximately the same rate on the same line and put out the same precipitation.

Intelli-Sense controllers automatically adjust to the plants?EUR??,,????'??? actual requirements with downloads of weather information. They can be programmed with plant type, soil type, sun exposure, etc. to refine the needs.

Another water conservation technique he uses is adding Zeba, a superabsorbent soil amendment, to each new planting. Thengvall says it can cut down frequency of irrigation in new plantings from eight to nine times a day to one to three times.

?EUR??,,????'??The best method is to group plants with similar needs in the same irrigation zone,?EUR??,,????'?? says Thengvall. ?EUR??,,????'??Then you can regulate water flow for each plant?EUR??,,????'???s needs. For instance, put all drought-tolerant species in one zone, water-loving plants in another zone.?EUR??,,????'??

Choosing the Correct Plant Material

He goes on to say, ?EUR??,,????'??It?EUR??,,????'???s also important to choose plants suitable to the climate and terrain. Don?EUR??,,????'???t put plants with large growth habits in a small space because you?EUR??,,????'???ll end up cutting back the plant and creating excessive yard waste. Also, you will have more efficient water use with correct plant choices.

Many of Ray?EUR??,,????'???s projects that are now eight to ten years old are still in great shape, regardless of the degree of maintenance, because of his good choices and quality installation.

Even More Services

Frog Hollow provides value-engineering services for architects. ?EUR??,,????'??We check their plans for suitability and make recommendations, such as a plant that is likely to die in a bad freeze,?EUR??,,????'?? says Thengvall. Frog Hollow also provides maintenance guides for owners, including a plant material list with photos, details of locations and date installed, with recommendations for fertilizer and other cultural needs.

Regarding the sustainability and longevity of his projects, Thengvall says, ?EUR??,,????'??We?EUR??,,????'???re in it for the long haul, and our clients are, too.?EUR??,,????'??