There is a growing recognition, that the expanding suburban landscape is having a negative environmental impact. Suburban development frequently includes enormous energy dependent monocultures (perfect, grass lawns). They consume a major amount of naturally occuring resources, (water to keep them green and gasoline to keep them trimmed), and they cut back the amount of habitat available for native wildlife. Over use of fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides can leach into water supplies and be damaging to youngsters and pets. Trends toward ecological landscaping and organic lawn care are lessening the detrimental effects of these designs. Many landscape designers are suggesting local plant species, and even golfing course bosses are moving toward organic lawn care.
In practical terms our target should always be to move away from designs that depend on an intensive use of energy, without asking people to give up their grassed areas entirely. There are a bunch of options:
* Buffer sectors and open space necessities in subdivisions make allowance for wildlife corridors and bird habitats.
* Leaving a part of each lot in a natural state will invite birds and beneficial insects into the yard, while reducing the quantity of grass to water and mow.
* The utilization of local plants in the design will considerably cut back the amount of care needed for the plants to thrive.
We should stop sweating about whether our gardens looks like the eighteenth fairway of the local country club. Lots of the "weeds" that appear in our gardens are thought to be medicinal, by herbalists, and others attract advantageous insects.
We should stop over watering our grassed areas. Don't worry about your grass dying. Grass will turn green when it rains. Trust me.
If you must have an all grass lawn, there are organic methods which profess to do as well as chemicals will. It's possibly a brilliant idea to test any cure before applying it to your complete yard. Spot treating troublesome areas will most likely be all that is needed.
Ecological Landscaping Points to consider
The first and most vital thing to consider in an ecological landscape design is an environmental assessment of the site. Is it rather more like a sunny meadow or shady woodland? Is it wet and marshy or dry and well drained?
Secondly, discover which local plants flourish in your individual environment. This is easily done by taking a closer look at what is growing in undeveloped areas around you. Look at areas that most seem exactly like your website. Species that are flourishing in the wild in similar ecosystems nearby are much more likely to do well, with little care, than species growing in different ecosystems, not to mention different areas of the country or world.
Some purists would disagree that only native species be considered, but I feel that non-invasive species from other parts of the world are sufficient if employed in the right environmental setting. Whenever it's possible choose species that are propagated hereabouts and select types that are disease, pest and drought-tolerant. This could preclude the need for intensive care and over the top watering.
Many local plants are commonly found growing as a part of a larger community of plants. For reasons we do not comprehensively understand, plants appear to form symbiotic relations with each other. This may be for shade, nutrient contribution or defence against pests to name 1 or 2. When studying the local landscape, pay attention to plant relations. In the wild, vegetation happens in layers from groundcovers to taller plants and plants and frequently to a tree canopy above. These layers supply a diverse habitat for a selection of wildlife. Recreating these conditions in even a small bit of your internet site will really help to reinforce the overall health of the environment around you.
In numerous instances house owners will would like to deter certain wildlife species, while captivating others. While it may be possible to discern which plants attract different species in natural habitats, it might not be as simple to figure out which plants will deter them. Local landscapers and plant nurseries will probably be in a position to advise you about this.
Wherever you live and no matter what your landscape consists of, a little thought about working with the natural environment and a dedication to organic lawn care practices, will save on upkeep cost and benefit the larger community landscape.
About the Author:
Jack Durden's organic lawn care company provides purely organic lawn fertilizer to his purchasers. When you landscape is transitioned to organic, weed control issues are minimized.
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