Environmentally Friendly Landscaping

The first rule of environmental landscaping is to use native plants; that is, the actual plants that were originally found in your own region prior to European settlement. These plants are not only used by wildlife for food, and shelter, they can save you energy, time and money in the long run.

Exotic Plants
Americans, over the last several hundred years, have imported exotic plants from around the globe, sometimes intentionally and sometimes by accident. A number of these species have reproduced aggressively, and become an "invasive plant." These invasive plants tend to overpower the native plants and take over the surrounding landscape.

Native Plants
Native plants often require less work to maintain than exotic plant species because they have adapted to the growing conditions of an area and are better able to handle stress. Because a native plant garden does not require mowing (remember, gas powered lawn engines contribute 5% of the nation's air pollution), they actually help to reduce air pollution. Combine this with the air cleaning ability through photosynthesis, and it is a win-win situation. Plants grown from local seed sources or taken as cuttings from existing native plants are best suited to the soil and climatic conditions of the area.

The first step to reducing the need for chemicals is to have your soil conditions tested, this will help you choose the right plants for your landscape.

According to the Natural Lands Trust, there are other steps that can be taken:

- Use a natural enhancer, such as lime, to balance acidic soil.

- Dress your soil with 1/8-1/4 inch thick top dressing of organic matter, such as garden compost, well seasoned manure (never use fresh) or leaf compost. The organic matter adds nutrients, holds water and improves drainage.

- If fertilizer application cannot be avoided, apply after the last mowing of the year and before Thanksgiving, as this will feed the roots, helping to establish a strong lawn. Spring fertilizing feeds the leaf and weed species, which means growth, not strength or health. Follow the instructions on the labels when adding chemicals, it is erroneous to assume more is better.

- Consider using integrated pest management to control unwanted species.
* Dig out unwanted plants by hand. Discard properly so they don't spread.
* Place landscape fabric on bare soil around shrubs and trees and anchor with mulch. This will reduce unwanted plants.
* Introduce beneficial insects to control unwanted insects.
* Try biological or physical controls to treat unwanted pests. For example, a plate of beer in the garden will reduce the number of slugs.

- Aerate soil to reduce the amount of compacted soil, which often inhibits root penetration, as well as the amount of nutrients and water reaching the roots.

- Reconsider the definition of a perfect lawn. Are dandelions and violets really bad? Does your lawn have to look like your neighbors?

Sources: http://www.norganics.com, http://www.epa.gov/region03/greenkit/landscap.html

Trees are wonderful additions to the landscape. Not only can they provide shade to reduce cooling costs in the summer, and block the wind to reduce heating costs in the winter, they also remove carbon dioxide from the air, purifying the air we breathe. Trees also provide food and nesting areas for a variety of wildlife.

Trees can be divided into six basic shapes: round, columnar, oval, umbrella, weeping, and pyramidal.

- Large trees with round canopies look great against the skyline. Because of their spread, round trees make good background plants and compliment single story houses. Round trees also offer more summer shade and erosion control.

- Columnar trees resemble soldiers standing at attention. Typically, these trees are about one third as wide as they are tall. These trees make good windbreaks, screens and background plants, and are particularly attractive when grouped. Columnar trees also make good street trees, as they do not spread.

- Oval trees look stately in fall foliage and complement other geometric forms, such as round or pyramidal shaped trees.

- Umbrella shaped trees provide a graceful appearance to the landscape and complement two to three story houses.

- Weeping trees work well as specimen plants in the landscape or along waterways, walls or embankments, where their weeping branches can cascade dramatically over the structure.

- Pyramidal shapes can be found in many types of evergreens and provide year-round color and habitat in the landscape.