Garden Rain Landscaping

Garden Rain Landscaping is owned by Doug Heilman, who has never felt comfortable referring to himself in the third
person so I'm stopping here at the start. I'm intimately involved in every project, however large or small. No one cares
like an owner, and I love what I do! I believe that translates into my service, whether it's directly done by me or
supervised. Garden Rain emphasizes native plants and sustainable practices and is passionate about efficent water use. A
landscape is so many things - a sanctuary, a connection to your environment and wildlife, a place of relaxation and play,
and let's not forget an investment. We help you define what YOUR space will be with maximum creativity and minimal
amount of inputs. Landscapes are by nature human focused (otherwise we would just let nature take over!), but they are
also a complex living system that never remain still. Understanding about the unique features of your space, working with
natural elements and not against, and good plant choices for the long term are key to successful landscape. A successful
landscape is a win-win-win-win: For the client, the landscaper, resource protection and of course...the plants and critters
living in the landscape! Garden Rain is committed towards this kind of success.

My Little Story...
I took the curvy path to the landscaping profession. Originally in the Landscape Architecture program at UC Davis, I was
inexplicably seduced by Econ 101 to the extent that I ended up switching majors with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics. But
summers were spent landscaping; outdoors, hot sun, hard work but great satisfaction. I only realize now what effect that
experience had on me. When I had my own garden, it became something very special. My understanding of a garden
grew by observing the simple wonders of a dynamic and living system. The creative outlet of landscaping, working with
stone, the interaction of plants, color and form became a weekend passion. After 10 years in cubicleland, I found myself
staring at the office plants too often, and realized there was a dream to pursue. I went back to school and completed the
Environment Horticulture program at Foothill College. During that period I was fortunate to intern at Sunset Magazine
for a summer and work part time at Gamble Gardens as a horticultural garden assistant. Not long after finishing Foothill,
I got my Landscape Contractors License and Garden Rain Landscaping pushed up from the soil to greet the sun. My focus
on natives and sustainability come from a life long passion for hiking and the outdoors. You may run into me sometime
on one of the many wonderful trails the Bay Area offers.

Garden Rain Landscaping is bonded and licensed (#887899)