If you’re a gardener that has an unlimited supply of water, consider yourself lucky. Many people live in areas experiencing severe drought condition where the garden and lawn watering restrictions make it difficult to grow healthy, lush gardens. Many people just give up when they find out how few gallons of water they are permitted […]
Category: Gardens & Ecology
Erosion Control
Soil erosion is considered to one of the most important environmental problems facing the planet. According to some studies about half the topsoil in the Us has been lost in some due to improper farming techniques. Soil takes hundreds and even thousands of years to form and the loss of such an important resource should […]
Invasive Plants and Their Alternatives
Many plants used in the gardens today can create havoc in our native landscape. Some plants, when they escape the garden, can crowd out our native species and take over entire entire ecosystems. There are, however, beautiful alternatives to these species. Lythrum salicaria – Purple Loosestrife AlternativesAsclepias incarnata – Swamp MilkweedEchinachea purpurea – Purple ConeflowerEupatorium […]
Permaculture
Permaculture is the study and practice of the sustainable design of human habitats and food production systems. It is a land-use and community building movement which strives for the integration of architecture, gardens, plants, animals, soils, and water into enduring, productive environments. Permaculture is, in part, the design of ecologically sustainable landscapes that produce food. […]
Productive Gardens
Gardens, along with being aesthetically pleasing, can be productive. The most common productive garden is by far the vegetable garden. There are, however, many garden trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcovers which are both edible and attractive enough for use in your landscape design. Consider planting trees and shrubs which produce fruit. Apple trees and pear […]
Native Plants
There are many benefits to planting native species of trees, shrubs and perennials in the garden. Though all require some maintenance, landscapes which draw inspiration from the natural environment require much less care than more traditional landscapes. Lawns, for instance require frequent fertilization and even more frequent mowing. The more traditional shrub borders or perennial […]
Wildflower Meadows
Wildflower meadows are noted for their stability, low maintenance and wide diversity of plants resulting in vibrant colors, textures and an increased awareness of seasonal change. The meadow approach to the landscape requires a clear understanding of a site’s natural conditions, more so than say a formal perennial garden bed. Wildflower meadows are a constantly […]
Natural Gardens
Natural gardens utilize native species of plants which are often quite easy to grow. These plants have adapted to certain environments and are generally self sustaining. They’ll need little, if any, fertilizer and no more water than is provided by rain. Natural gardens consist of a rich and varied mix of plants. They introduce a […]
Compost
Compost, an essential part of organic gardening, is formed when garden debris is allowed to decay. Compost is nutrient rich so its quite beneficial to plants when added cultivated into garden soil. The nutrient value of cost depends on the fertilizers and other nutrient-rich materials which are added to it as it goes through the […]
Energy Efficient Gardens
There are a myriad of ways to conserve energy in your efforts to beautify your home and gardens. Use fewer resources in the garden. Lawn mowing uses up millions of gallons of fuel each year. If you have an acre of lawn to mow there may be other design ideas which will reduce the maintenance […]