Managing Water The Other Half of the Irrigation Equation
Planning a water-conserving landscape Figuring out the best irrigation schedule Following some easy tips for managing water m t isn't enough to build a water-conserving irrigation system if you still water every day. The other half of the equation is behavior. Savvy water management isn't complicated, and it can save you big bucks while you do the sustainable thing for the environment. Keep in mind, too, that water management isn't just for folks with a fancy irrigation system it's just as...
Using Sustainable Hardscape Features to Build an Outdoor Room
Hardscape features combine with plantings to create outdoor rooms, places that serve particular functions similar to indoor rooms eating, entertaining, working, and so on. The idea of the outdoor room goes far back in the history of landscape design. Cro-Magnon caveowners in the Paleolithic Era had spacious outdoor rooms that they used for eviscerating woolly mammoths and entertaining visiting troglodytes. Over time, the idea evolved into the modern outdoor room equipped with 50 square feet of...
Knowing what to consider for the succulent garden
Consider these factors before you start buying every cactus in sight Placement Locate succulents on the sunny south side of a house or building, where reflected heat and the warmth retained in the walls will help them endure cold nights. Choose a location with good air circulation as well. Place thorny plants away from paths and other traffic patterns. Arrangement Succulents and cacti rarely grow only with others of their kind in nature. It's okay to have an all-succulent cactus garden, but...
Poultry in motion The chicken tractor
Chickens are multipurpose garden elements, providing cultivation, weeding, pest control, fertilizer, eggs, and cuteness all in one feathery, clucking package. Three or four hens will keep a family well supplied with eggs. Roosters will get you busted in most places, though. A classic henhouse around 4 by 8 feet, made very sturdily to keep predators out is a wonderful addition to the sustainable garden. But another approach is even more sustainable because it performs more tasks than a henhouse....
Determining how much maintenance Work to create with your design
A sustainable garden is by definition undemanding. But any living system requires some care, and you need to consider this important fact now, not later, when poor design decisions have left you with a mess that forces you to spend way more time and money on maintenance than you ever intended. I talk more about the specifics of maintenance in Chapter 20, but for now it's important to realize that the amount of care that your landscaping requires is a direct result of design. Plants that are too...
Building earthen retaining Walls
Generally speaking, using earth to hold up more earth is not the smartest thing to do. You need something stronger. Yes, you can make a low wall out of any earthen materials, but keep it 18 inches tall or less, preferably without a surcharge a slope above the wall . Refer to the earlier section Raising Earthen Garden Walls for more on creating earthen walls. One pretty amazing earth technology called superadobe really works for retaining walls, however. Visionary architect Nader Khalili...
Keeping cost in mind
The amount of money you need to spend depends on a number of factors. Check out Chapter 1 for some more budgeting advice, and keep these elements in mind as you tabulate costs Location Prices are generally higher in big cities and where property values are high. Regional prices vary considerably. Size Naturally, the larger your property, the more you'll spend. Who does the work Doing the job yourself can save you 30 to 80 percent. The company you hire Bids from landscape professionals can vary...
Passive versus active water features
A passive water feature is still and pumpless, such as a lovely urn with standing water and a plant or two. Because they use no energy, passive water features are the more environmentally friendly choice they create a serene mood with no negative impacts and cost very little money. An active water feature is one that uses a pump to move water for filtration purposes or for the beauty of sound and movement of the water. The most effective filter for an active water feature is a 10-inch-deep...
Creating a bubble diagram
When you're ready to write down your landscape design ideas, make a rough sketch of your property on a sheet of paper. This rough sketch, or bubble diagram, doesn't have to be to scale at this point, but try to make it reasonably accurate. Then start writing words and phrases in appropriate locations new patio, remove tree, dog run, vegetable garden, and so on. The ideas you write down can include anything from problems, opportunities, and needs to desires and specific features you know you...
Integrating grasses sustainably into the landscape
Ornamental grasses make great specimen plants, ground covers, and mass plantings. They even grow in containers. Mixing grasses with perennials and shrubs gives your landscaping a natural feel. Here are some basic considerations for working grasses into your plantings Cool and uncool grasses Grasses fall into two categories cool season which are most active at . . . guess what time of year and warm season which do better in that other time of year . Mix cool- and warm-season grasses for...
Irrigation plans
The most sustainable irrigation approach of all is a water-harvesting system. You don't really need to draw plans for that part of the project. However, you do need to understand how it all works and how to create a system on your property. I cover that thoroughly in Chapter 8. If you decide to install a permanent irrigation system, there are a couple of ways to determine how it all goes together. For most small systems, an understanding of basic irrigation design principles and a little time...
Adding an automatic irrigation controller
The busy folks at the American Water Works Association found that installing an automatic controller on a manual system increases water use by 47 percent. This statistic seems to indict controllers as being very nonsustainable. But when properly used, controllers really can save lots of water. Don't assume you need a controller. It isn't a requisite component of a good irrigation system, and there's no shame in having a manually operated system that you turn on and off yourself. Still, if you...
Knowing your termites
These wood-eating pests fall into two categories subterranean termites, which are quite widespread, and drywood termites, which live in warm climates. The Southern United States and California are at highest risk for both kinds of termites. Within these categories are a number of species, each with its specific behavior patterns. Check with local organic pest-control professionals for details on what works against the termites in your area. Subterranean termites generally are controlled with...
Construct fake fences and walls with corrugated cardboard or sheets of plywood
Materials from your mock-up can come from the waste stream, of course. Buying them new and using them once would be the antithesis of what sustainable landscaping is all about, so use what you have or look to neighbors or local businesses. Dumpster diving is no shame. Oh, and that gypsum or lime is good for the soil, so no harm done there. Observe the finished landscape from every angle. Walk the paths and sit on the patio with a cool drink. See how you like it. Live with it for a few days or...
Piling up stone retaining walls
Lucky is the property owner who has an abundance of good solid stones on the land. Stones are useful for many landscaping applications, especially for retaining slopes. Even if you don't have stone on your land, local stone is low in embodied energy and delivers a durable result at little environmental cost. Speaking of cost, stone can often be had for the hauling, especially from farmers' fields and construction sites. If your soil is stable and your wall isn't too tall, start with a base...
Caring for your water feature
Bringing a new water feature into balance takes a little time. High nutrient levels and alkalis leaching from the pond shell must dissipate before you introduce permanent organisms. You'll have a big algae bloom at first, but it should diminish with time. Start with some water hyacinths, which grow very quickly and absorb nutrients and contaminants. After the growth of these plants has slowed, fojl remove them and bring in the permanent residents. You have many plant species to choose from. Be...
Brushing Up on Design Basics
Examining the elements of design Picking up design secrets from the pros Considering special design situations Designing a safe landscape ustainable or otherwise, a proper landscape has to look beautiful. And to make it look beautiful, you have to rely on the elements of design. You may be intimidated by the design aspect of your landscaping project, thinking that artsy stuff isn't your thing. But not only is design easy it's also a lot of fun. After you get the hang of it, you may find...
Exploring Lawn Alternatives
Suppose that you're ready to scrap your lawn and do something more sensible. Bravo That's a smart move, especially considering the wide of variety of low-maintenance alternatives that use much fewer resources after they're established. Everywhere you look, people are taking out their lawns and replacing them with meadows. The transformation has been described as a revolution, and it's surely one of the bright spots in modern horticulture. Instead of fertilizing and watering to make grass grow...
Fighting Lawn Pests and Diseases without Chemicals
Like giving yourself a healthy diet, exercise, and good living conditions, taking care of your lawn's soil makes all the difference. An overfertilized and overwatered lawn is the perfect place for pest and disease problems to develop. So is one that isn't mowed at the right height or isn't mowed often enough. The traditional approach is to attack the problem with chemicals, but that doesn't work if the cause of the problem isn't resolved. Pests and diseases are present in every lawn, but they...
Applying the water Sprinkler and drip systems
Sprinkler heads and drip emitters are the end of the line for the system they deliver water to your plants. Sprinklers spray water overhead and are supplied by a system of underground pipes. Drip emitters apply water very slowly, fed by tubing that's installed between the soil and the mulch. I explain both in the following sections. Refer to the later section, Applying Sustainable Watering Concepts to Your Permanent Irrigation System for more on how to sustainably use sprinkler and drip...
Walking on Living Carpet Perennial Ground Covers
In some ways, ground cover is a dubious term. As the term is commonly used, it means a low-growing nonwoody perennial plant that sprawls across a wide area. Meadows are a special type of ground cover see Chapter 19 for more on them. The idea of ground covers seems to be twofold To play the role of lawn, visually and sometimes functionally. To outcompete weeds for a carefree sward of greenery and flowers. These ideas are lovely, and in some situations they actually work. At other times, the...
Making a concrete patio
Without going into a whole short course on concrete work, here's some critical information on creating a patio. I recommend that you have a professional handle this work, but if you're determined to do it yourself, keep these tips in mind Safety first Avoid all skin contact with wet concrete, which can be toxic. Prepare your soil. If your soil is expansive or unstable, place a layer of sand or base material under the slab to isolate it. In any case, install your patio on undisturbed or...
Spreading loose paving materials
If you want a paved surface that's easy to install, loose paving materials, such as gravel or decomposed granite d.g., as we affectionately refer to it in the business , are the way to go. However, don't apply loose materials to slopes where they can slide downhill and be dangerous to walk on they're only meant for level or nearly level ground. ttNG Many people put a layer of weed control fabric under the gravel. This practice isn't such a great idea because weeds come in from the top, their...
Remaining within the Law Considering Legal Issues
The long arm of the law doesn't reach as far into landscaping as is does into other aspects of modern life. But you certainly need to consider specific legal issues when planning your sustainable landscape. Here are a few of the most important issues to keep in mind Architectural review boards A major landscaping project may require community approval to be sure its appearance is consistent with neighboring features. Check with your community's building or zoning department for specifics....
Controlling lawn pests Grubs bugs and other subsurface lurkers
Sometimes good conditions aren't enough to stop a problem and other times it isn't possible to optimize conditions for one reason or another. That's when you step in with some natural controls, which are available from nurseries and insectaries. The following are tips on dealing with some of the most common lawn insect pests see Figure 22-3 Grubs, armyworms, and cutworms These soil-dwelling larvae cause patches of lawn to die off and also attract varmints that dig up the lawn looking for them....
Erecting Wood and timber retaining Walls
Timber walls, properly installed, can be quite strong and very handsome. They don't require a concrete footing just a first course of timbers laid below grade that is, below the surface of the ground . Leave the timbers long and stack them one layer on the next, overlapping them halfway with courses above and below as though you were laying bricks. The best way to connect them is to drill through two or three courses and drive 4 steel rebar or galvanized steel pipe down through them. This...
Getting Down to the NittyGritty with Construction Details
Construction detail drawings are images of the guts of a piece of work, laid out like an X-ray so you can see exactly what to do. Nearly anything from tree staking to electric valves to patios can be the subject of construction details. See Figure 6-7 for two examples. Drainage gaps ft rn Landscape '. .'-.' ' . . .' - Bedding b material Permeable base Details are partnered with specifications, which are written instructions that cover what can't be drawn, such as how soon to water plants after...
Treating lawn diseases
Many species of fungi and other diseases attack lawns that aren't in good condition. Lawn diseases usually announce their presence with patches of dead grass. The way the patches spread and the shape and color they take on can indicate to a trained eye the type of problem that's lurking beneath the surface. See Lawn Care For Dummies for details on identifying diseases. Lawn diseases are nearly impossible to control with chemicals, but good lawn care usually keeps the diseases at bay. The best...
Timing it right Irrigation controllers
If you have an automatic system, you can install the controller in the garage or another protected but accessible location. You can also place it outdoors where your gardener or others can get to it when you're not home. For detailed information on smart versus dumb controllers and on how to choose a controller, refer to Chapter 7. I strongly suggest that you consider a smart controller it really works, and it saves a lot of water and money. Installing a rain sensor a little cup located in an...
The WatershedFriendly Landscape
We all live on a watershed. The rainfall that hits your roof and land runs into the street, where it contributes to urban flooding and pollution of streams, lakes, and oceans. If you make your landscaping absorbent, the ground soaks up that good water instead of wasting it. Provide plenty of planted areas instead of just pavement, make pavement permeable see Chapter 12 , create low spots in the terrain that will soak up water see Chapter 8 , build rain gardens any planting that's irrigated by...
Top it off with your swale or dry streambed
You can also run pipes from your downspouts or from your underground drainage system into the percolation chamber. Before you dig, check for any utilities in the area, and make sure you aren't digging on top of a septic system or any other underground structures. See Chapter 11 for details on who to call before you start work. If you're going to build terraces, first check with a civil engineer or a geologist to ensure that it's safe to do so. They can also help you develop a design that will...
Elements of sustainable water features
You need a vessel of some kind to hold the water a birdbath, a fountain, a ceramic pot, a prefab or custom in-ground pond made of concrete or plastic I prefer concrete , or a running streambed. Some water features are kept free of plants and fish, but the sustainable garden is about nurturing life, so consider populating your water feature. Plants and fish provide for one another and keep the system in balance so that it requires little input from you. Water features can be formal or informal,...
Dry rot
Dry rot is a fungus that, despite its name, occurs in the presence of moisture. Why it's called dry rot is anybody's guess. It can spread through a deck like cancer, turning it to powder in seemingly no time at all. Many a homeowner has stepped through his deck one sunny Saturday afternoon. It's easy to poke at your deck with an awl or screwdriver to find rotted portions, but the deck usually has concealed damage as well. All the methods of keeping a deck dry to protect it from termites are...
Surveying the types of mulch
Mulches fall into two general categories organic and inorganic. In this usage, organic has nothing to do with purity or pesticides it refers to the nature of the material. Organic mulches come from living sources inorganic ones come from minerals or other nonliving origins. Organic mulching materials include tree chips, shredded bark, pine needles, leaves, straw, nut shells, and compost. Organic mulches are the best way to go because they're part of the living cycle of nutrients. Organic...
Getting the scoop on succulents and cacti
Generally, succulents and cacti like sun, but some varieties tolerate shade. They prefer warmer climates USDA Zones 8 to10 see Chapter 4 for details on hardiness zones , but some grow as far north as parts of Canada. Because they hold water in their tissues, they're very drought tolerant, though many can accept limited regular watering under otherwise good growing conditions. They use one third to one half the water of turf. Pests and diseases are rare and there are few, if any, invasive...
Using Materials and Resources Wisely
Putting resources to good and efficient use not only reduces the impact of your landscaping project, but it also saves you money. After all, you're buying cheaper materials and using less of them. Creating a conventional landscape requires lots of materials, and over time it requires more and more resources to keep it going. Why Because most landscapes aren't designed along the lines of nature and its life cycles and systems. Nature is really good at fostering ecosystems that are...
Planting plans
A planting plan is simple. After you know exactly which plants you want to use check out Chapters 16, 17, and 18 for ideas , you draw them to scale. The planting plan accomplishes three things. First, it helps you to see how many plants you'll need to purchase. Second, it helps you visualize the final planting design. And third, it becomes a reference that you can use at planting time to remember exactly what you had in mind. Oh, and if you're getting a permit for your landscaping, you need a...
Nonstorage systems
The conventional landscape is often flat or mounded in shape, which causes it to spill water rather than absorb it. A water-harvesting landscape is concave bowl-shaped , with plenty of low points to hold valuable rainwater on the site and keep it out of the streets, where it can cause flooding and wash pollution into nearby bodies of water. This type of landscape is well suited to a nonstorage water-harvesting system. Nonstorage water harvesting involves making your landscape as absorbent as...
In this part Xtv
he sustainable landscape is a living system that's dependent on plants and all the other elements of a living ecology. Plants don't just look pretty they also do stuff that actually matters, like making food, preventing erosion, reducing energy demand inside your house, attracting beneficial insects, and a whole lot more. Of course they're pretty too, aren't they There's nothing unsustainable about that This part shows you how to use plants effectively, create beautiful plantings that demand...
Sweeping and recompacting decomposed granite
Decomposed granite also known as d.g. is a compacted granular material that develops loose particles on the surface. For safety's sake and to avoid tracking the particles into the house where they can do a number on hardwood floors , it's a good idea to sweep the particles off. An alternative method is to recompact the surface periodically with a lawn roller filled with water or with a vibratory place compactor. This compactor is, as you might guess, a big vibrating metal plate, the sole...
Weeding pavers
Weeds come up in between pavers, especially ones with open joints that make them more pervious. Naturally, you'll be tempted to spray the joints with herbicides, but instead, you can spray something quite innocent on young weeds to kill them. The secret, believe it or not, is vinegar. I'm not talking about just any vinegar although the grocery-store kind will kill very young weeds pretty well . I'm JOJ1 talking about horticultural vinegar. Horticultural vinegar is an ultrastrong version of the...
Building materials Turning one persons trash into your landscaping treasure
Your first step when trying to minimize your building material inputs is to consider how much hardscape you really need. It isn't necessary to pour a patio big enough to accommodate a wedding reception when you really just need someplace for the family to have dinner. Get into the habit of self-restraint. After deciding how much hardscape you need, determine what you already have that you can use to build it. The first place you should look for materials is in your own backyard. What you have...
Choosing a Permanent Irrigation System
After you've decided to invest in a permanent irrigation system, you have to decide what kind to get. Unfortunately, irrigation systems don't come in a nice tidy box with all the parts and instructions and special tools, as if you were buying a piece of furniture. Instead, you have to design the system to fit your particular situation, and then you have to build it from hundreds of parts gathered up from bins at the irrigation supply store. It's challenging, but anyone can do it. Your first...
Replacing an Old LaWn
At some point, a lawn gets old. The exact longevity of a lawn depends on many factors local growing conditions, type of lawn, level of care, degree of use, and the presence of pests, diseases, and weeds. Unfortunately, there comes a time when it's necessary to turn the old clunker in for a new model. In some cases, renovating and overseeding your washed-up lawn with fresh grass is sufficient see the earlier section Aerating and Renovating Your Lawn for details . But when you're faced with a...
The Food Forest
You eat, right Well, why not eat from your own land Growing food is easy, especially if you develop a stable food forest that uses the laws of nature to support a permanent edible ecosystem made up primarily of fruit trees and perennial plants that are durable, easy to care for, and well adapted to your climate and soil. A food forest also includes compatible animals, pollinators, water-harvesting systems, and annual food plants, such as broccoli and tomatoes. It's a complex ecosystem that...