Have you ever wondered if there was an eco-friendly alternative to manicured lawns? Ecological landscaping offers a variety of ways to maintain your home’s landscape that benefits the wildlife and plants that share the space. According to the Ecological Landscaping Alliance,
“The objectives of an ecological landscaper are to reduce water consumption, preserve water quality, prevent soil erosion, protect biodiversity, diminish the use of toxic pesticides, and minimize the use of non-renewable resources.” It is similar in its philosophy to permaculture farming, which is about integrating human and natural systems in a holistic way for the benefit of all creatures. Let’s have a look at some different components of ecological landscaping that align with principles of permaculture: Watering Systems The idea with permaculture is to use the resources that you have on site. So how can you maximize the use of rain on your property? With a rain barrel or a water cube. Rainwater is excellent for watering your garden because it has extra nutrients. Learn how to build your own or find one for sale at your local hardware store. The plants you choose for your gardens should be matched to the soil type, hardiness zone, and amount of water the ground receives. If you want a landscape that needs little watering, choose drought tolerant plants, shrubs, and trees. Even better, choose native plants where possible as they will be best adapted to the local climate and soil. Weeding It takes a lot of effort every year to remove those pesky flowering native plants that we call weeds. But what would happen if we just embraced them? Better yet, encouraged them! Many people are switching from manicured lawns to wildflower meadows. Through seeding, planting, and removing grass, many beautiful flowers can be added. The dandelions, lupins, daisies, forget-me-nots, and foxgloves can make a beautiful scene when they are all inter-mingled. They provide food for bees, hummingbirds, and other wildlife. The trick is to make the no-mow-lawn look intentional. Consider adding a bird bath or adding a couple mown paths and a bench. When people see that it is being cared for and it is not simply being neglected, the transition to a no-mow-lawn can be made more smoothly. Fertilizing Stay away from carbon-intensive fertilizers that pollute the atmosphere and consider some natural alternatives. For starters, you can make your own composting system using vegetable, fruit, and other food scraps from the kitchen (just not meat or dairy). Layer the organics with dried leaves or grass clippings for an ideal nutrient ratio. Line the composting container with chicken-wire to keep out wily raccoons. Another alternative fertilizer is composted manure from your local farmer. Cow, horse, and sheep manure are all good examples. Chicken manure can be good but in smaller quantities because of its nutrient balance. Stay away from using ashes from the fireplace unless you’ve tested your soil and found it to be too acidic. Then the basic ashes can be useful. If you have a lawn, leave grass clippings on lawns to act as a natural fertilizer. Pest Control Stay away from toxic herbicides and pesticides and consider managing pests in a more eco-friendly way. The best way to avoid pests is through prevention. Strong healthy plants that are well-suited to their environment are less likely to get stressed and have issues with pests. If you do find aphids or whiteflies you can use an insecticidal soap spray. Predatory insects like ladybugs and lacewings will feed on soft-bodied insects like aphids. Predatory wasps will feed on beetle larvae and caterpillars. If you have a well-supported, thriving ecosystem of plants and insects on your property the predator-prey relationship will keep your pests in check. Mulching In permaculture circles there is a saying that bare soil is like an open wound on the Earth. Mulching is a way to cover the soil and to prevent the overgrowth of unwanted plants. It keeps the soil moist for longer which reduces the amount of watering you need to do. You can use mowed leaves, seaweeds such as eelgrass, and natural bark mulch. Keep the mulch away from shrub and tree bases to prevent rotting. Ensure a thick layer so that light doesn’t reach the soil. Planting There are a variety of eco-friendly strategies that you can use when selecting plants for your garden. Do you want there to be many flowers for pollinators? Do you want to support native plant communities? Do you want to have some edible plants? How about drought-tolerant plants that don’t need watering? You can have different gardens for different spaces on your property according to the needs and characteristics of your homestead. For example, you may choose to convert part of your lawn to xeriscaping which includes rocks, mulch, and drought-tolerant plants. You may want another section with fruiting shrubs and trees which provide both your household and local birds with fruits. The ecological potential of your landscape is only limited by your imagination. Ecological landscapers Are you interested in learning more about ecological landscaping and considering it for your property? I recommend checking out the Ecological Landscaping Alliance for resources. Consider identifying a local ecological landscaper who can consult with you on your ideas for your landscape. Helping Nature Heal is an example of an ecological landscaper located in Nova Scotia. I am just starting my journey in ecological landscaping. I took a course with Helping Nature Heal in 2016 and have designed and implemented three gardens so far. I’d be happy to discuss your projects with you and offer a free consultation.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMay is a sustainability coach, consultant, and gardener working in Nova Scotia. Archives
July 2023
Categories |