Date post: | 24-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | noel-terry |
View: | 214 times |
Download: | 0 times |
Sustainable Landscapes
Ramsey County Master Gardeners
Advantages of Sustainable Landscape Practices Improve environment by conserving
resources and reducing chemical applications
Reduce labor inputs, making it less expensive to implement and maintain
Possible with modest planning efforts
Five Considerations for a Sustainable Landscape
Functional Maintainable Environmentally Sound Cost Effective Visually Pleasing
Functional Design Allows for easy movement, work,
recreation, and leisure in and around the landscape
Thus, specific to how landscape used (e.g., family home, public place, business) and how people move in/through it
Non-functional elements Steep steps with improper rise
Non-functional elements Narrow service roads, limited space for
turning
Non-functional elements Turf areas on steep slope difficult to maintain
Maintainable Design Related to function, but more
involved with taking care of the landscaped area
Provides for reduced maintenance, lower costs/efforts, reduced inputs (e.g., fertilizers, pesticides, water)
Maintenance problems Sidewalks too narrow for snow removal
Maintenance Problems Turf areas too difficult to mow and maintain
Maintenance Problems Edging that interferes with mowing
Environmentally Sound Design Addresses quality of landscape over
time Takes into consideration growing
conditions needed by plants and stresses they can tolerate
“Right plant, right place” and “right plant, right purpose”
Problems, environmentally sound design Structures make safe application of fertilizers
or pesticides difficult.
Problems, environmentallysound design Lawn clippings discharged on hard
surfaces/phosphorous run-off.
Cost Effective Design Impacted by processes, plants, and
hard-goods used in the landscape and the quality of each
Takes into consideration costs of both installation and maintenance
Designs that aren’t cost effective Overplanting and improper spacing
Designs that aren’t cost effective Wall lacks function and will make
maintenance difficult
Visually Appealing Design Previous four factors provide a
framework to create a visually pleasing landscape
Requires integration of more variables but shouldn’t negatively impact the final outcome/design
Design lacking visual appeal Poor foundation planting, no key plants, no
open space, no concept lines
Strong visual appeal Use of retaining wall to reduce slope
Strong visual appeal Proper plant spacing along foundation
Strong visual appeal Use of edging to eliminate mowing problems
Base Plan Builds from the five design elements
and incorporates information from six sources: Interviews Site Survey Site Analysis Plot Plan Site Plan Structure and Utility Blueprints
Interview and Site Survey Interview gathers information from
client/gardener and provides a needs assessment with a focus on sustainability Who will be maintaining property? How will space be used? How much time/labor is available to
maintain? Site survey includes an evaluation of the
space (existing plants and structures, soil, drainage, topography, measurements)
Site Analysis Addresses challenges and potential benefits; combination of sketches, plans, and notes
Plot PlanDrawn to scale;shows structures,property lines, sidewalks, etc.
Site PlanMay be the same as,or include updates to,the plot plan
Structure and Utility Blue Prints Includes information important to design plan
(gas, electric, sewer, etc.)
Strategies for Maintaining/Managing Sustainable Landscapes
Composting (home, community) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Managing/saving water
Rain gardens, rain barrels Mulching Soil Testing
Composting Process of “composting” is decomposition
of plant remains and other once-living materials into compost, a dark, crumbly substance with an earthy odor
Compost is an inexpensive soil amendment that :Supplies nutrients and organic matter Improves soil structure and water holding capacity
What Can Be Composted? Clean paper and paperboard, newspapers Cotton rags, dryer lint Coffee grounds and filter, tea bags Hay, straw, wood chips, sawdust Leaves Garden debris (old plants) Grass clippings Egg shells Fruit and vegetable waste Nut shells
What Shouldn’t Be Composted Black walnut tree leaves or debris Coal or charcoal ash Diseased or insect infested plants Weeds with seeds Dairy products Fats, grease, lard, oils Meat or fish scraps Pet or human wastes Yard trimmings with chemical pesticides Plastic wrap and aluminum foil
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Considers all aspects of interactions
between people and pests to find the easiest way to resolve a pest problem with the lowest overall risk to people’s health and our environment.
Uses a combination of cultural, physical, biological, and chemical pest management strategies
Four Basic IPM Components Monitoring – consistently inspecting and
monitoring for pests to determine the location and degree of infestation
Setting Action Levels – determining what number of pests can be tolerated before action is necessary
Applying IPM Control Strategies – integration of several strategies to combat a particular pest
Evaluation – review monitoring data, actions taken, treatment impacts, and effectiveness
Residential Rain Garden A shallow sunken garden that recycles rain
Less than 8” deep Gently sloping sides
Rainwater runoff is directed toward it Runoff soaks in
Functions of a Rain Garden Diverts runoff from paved surfaces
(driveways, roofs, streets, patios, walks)
Water moves “sideways” Keeps runoff on site instead of
flowing untreated into streams and storm sewers
Soil acts like a living sponge Water moves “down”
Benefits of a Rain Garden Soaks up 30% more run-off than
lawns Filters polluted runoff Recharges groundwater Helps prevent flooding Provides habitat/food for butterflies,
birds Beautifies a low spot in the yard
Rain Barrel Container used to catch water flowing from a
downspout Provides alternative to tap water for lawns
and gardens
Benefits of Rain Barrels Help reduce peak volume and velocity
of storm water runoff reaching lakes and rivers
Help reduce peak water demands during summer
Help improve the health of gardens, lawns, and trees Naturally “soft, and devoid of
minerals, chlorine and other chemicals often found in city water
Mulching Consists of covering soil with material that
provide a variety of beneficial gardening results
Materials may be organic (e.g., compost or wood chips) or inorganic (e.g., plastic sheeting)
Benefits:Conserves moistureReduces weedsDecreases soil compactionModerates soil temperatureOver time, builds a better soil structure
that helps increase plant health and vigor
Soil Testing Why test your soil?
Takes the guesswork out of fertilizer recommendations
Makes good economic sense Ensures fertile soil without excess
fertilizer application or pollution of the environment
Taking and Submitting a Sample How to prepare a soil sample:
Take samples from several places in a yard or garden.
Mix thoroughly and place two-cup subsample in a clean container
Results will include a recommendation for fertilizer needs
Doing a test every five years generally adequate
U of M Soil Testing Lab can be reached at [email protected] or 612 625-3101
Sources: SULIS, University of Minnesota Extension
http://www.sustaland.umn.edu
U of M Soil Testing Laboratory
Minnesota Department of Agriculture