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, environmentallysound 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 PlanDrawn to scale;shows structures,property lines, sidewalks, etc.

Site PlanMay 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 moistureReduces weedsDecreases soil compactionModerates soil temperatureOver 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 soiltest@umn.edu 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