10 steps to a sustainable home landscape
TRANSCRIPT
10 Steps to a Sustainable
Home Landscape
Sustainable Living Festival – May 16, 2015
Carolyn Edsell-Vetter, MCH, [email protected]
1. Right Plant, Right Place
Sun/shade Soil moisture pH Size & shape Functions
Image: Audubon Society
2. Less Lawn
Mixed Plantings “Steppable” Plants Groundcovers
(mulch, pea gravel) Permeable
Hardscape Meadow / Wild
Photo: Jesse Edsell-Vetter; Design: Barbara Popolow
3. Water Wisely
Choose drought-tolerant plants
Group plants by water need
Capture rainwater Use smart controllers
Urn-fountain with 1,000 gallon storage system
4. Pave Permeably
Reduce run-off Recharge aquifers Protect waterways
and wildlife Harness water for
reuse on site
Image: Unilock Company
5. Go Native
Choose plants native to New England
Source materials locally to reduce freight
Partner with locally-owned service providers
Photo: Susan Young Photography
6. Save Your Soil
Assess: Soil test Build: Compost;
leave grass clippings & leaves; skip synthetic chemicals
Protect: Plant in layers to control soil erosion & compaction
7. Hatch a Habitat
Food Water Cover Places to raise young
Photo: Jesse Edsell-Vetter
8. Be Sun Smart
Passive solar planting keeps the house warm in winter & cool in summer
Image: University of Oregon
9. Lower Lights
Low-voltage, low-light lamps
Shielding to horizontal or narrow beam
Aim down or graze structures/plants
Image: P. Cinzano, F. Falchi (University of Padova), C. D. Elvidge (NOAA National Geophysical Data Center, Boulder). Copyright Royal Astronomical Society, 2010.
10. Greener Gardeners
People power - hand-pruning, raking, weeding
Electric power tools Biodiesel fleet Compost on site Site-specific plans NOFA-Accredited Organic
