Landscaping & Design/Expert Profile


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Expertise

I can answer questions about water-wise landscaping, xeriscaping, and using native vegetation, cactus, and succulents to create a home paradise that won't increase your water bill.

Experience in the area

My wise ol' grandmother got me started with cactus and succulents 42 years ago. The rest, as they say, is history.

Organizations

National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, Better Business Bureau of San Diego

Education/Credentials

After graduating from Texas A&M University, I started a plant-sitting business in Houston to take care of the house plants when people went on vacation. That went on for five years before I moved back to College Station and started several businesses, one of which was a landscaping business specializing in "dry" landscaping.

Awards and Honors

The privilege of working with people.

Average Ratings

Recent Reviews from Users

Read More Comments

    K = Knowledgeability    C = Clarity of Response    T = Timeliness    P = Politeness
UserDateKCTPComments
Nancy10/23/0910101010Russel was very helpful and very clear .....
Veronica10/23/0910101010 
Judy10/04/0910101010Thank you once again for a rapid .....
Judy10/04/0910101010I was pleasantly surprised with the very .....
DON & JUDI WEISCHEDEL08/20/0910101010 

Recent Answers from Russel Ray

2009-11-19 Artificial Turf-Residential:

Hey, Sara. As with anything new (carpet, cars, paint, etc.), there might be a residual odor, but you should notice it outdoors. I had one of the first Astroturf lawns in Houston way back in the late

2009-10-23 Wildflower planting:

Hey, Veronica. I think you're going to have problems getting the wildflowers to do well if you're starting with seed in goundcover bark. If you want to start with seeds, let the seeds get a good

2009-10-22 Lawn fabric and mulch:

Hey, Nancy. Home Depot sells some excellent mulch in all sizes. It's by EarthGro. It's all I use here in San Diego. You'll have best success with it if you cover the ground with at least an inch, and

2009-10-22 Lawn fabric and mulch:

Hey, Nancy. Why do you "need to put at least three inches of mulch on the ground"? I can tell you from experience that it won't have any effect on the gophers. However, mulch will help control

2009-10-04 non native Australian Pine trees:

Hey, Judy. The Australian pine is not a true pine, but I'm not aware of it producing new trees through suckering of the roots. Rather, you probably just have a lot of seeds sprouting, especially if

 

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