Transcript SULIS
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, environmentally sound 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 Plan Drawn to scale; shows structures, property lines, sidewalks, etc. Site Plan May 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 moisture Reduces weeds Decreases soil compaction Moderates soil temperature Over 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