What is sustainable landscaping?
By Rick Mathews
Published in the Tribune, March 30, 2002.
How do the principles of sustainability relate to our gardens? Let’s take a look at:
1. what a sustainable garden would be
2. the principles that guide a sustainable landscape design approach
3. the inputs and outputs that comprise such gardens some examples along the way, of both what to do and what not to do.
Landscape architect Owen Dell asks us to: “Imagine a garden that rarely needs pruning, watering or fertilizing. One where natural controls usually take care of pest problems before the gardener even becomes aware of them. A peaceful garden where the sounds of blowers, power mowers, or chain saws never intrude.
Imagine a garden that also serves as a climate control for the house, keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter; a garden that traps rainwater in an attractive streambed to deeply irrigate the trees and recharge the groundwater; one that provides habitat for wildlife and food for people.
Imagine a garden that truly works. This is the sustainable garden — not barren or sacrificial, but as lush and beautiful as any other without all the struggle and waste.” Sustainable landscaping is low-impact landscaping, resource efficient, minimally polluting, stable over time, in harmony with local environment all aspects helping to reduce energy inputs and outputs.
One of the most important things I hope you can get from this discussion is encouragement to get out and enjoy your gardens. They offer unique opportunities to unwind and relieve stress, to reconnect with things natural, beautiful and up close.
Realize how even in our gardens we are connected in a very real way to the larger landscape. That realization includes the responsibility to do our part to sustain the health and beauty of our beloved Central Coast. Making our gardens more sustainable is a good step in that direction.