principles
planting the future
Landscaping through the lens of sustainability requires a different set of principles than horticulturists previously engaged and is changing the way that everyone does business. The fundamentals driving this future-minded method are:
- landscape locally
- bring less to the landfill
- conserve resources
- protect the surrounding environment
- create habitat
There are basic considerations and practices that achieve these core principles of sustainability.
plant selection
Plant selection is key to creating a landscape that will decrease overhead and your carbon footprint by cutting down on maintenance needs, lessening the use of chemicals, reducing irrigation, and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. Selecting the right plant can create a beautiful garden that works in harmony with nature. Important factors to consider when selecting the right plant:
- Location - Choose plants to match the microclimate, soil conditions, and sun exposure. You will experience less maintenance and less health issues when you select plants that will thrive in their new location.
- Maturity - Design your landscape with plant maturity in mind and avoid over-planting for instant effect. This will allow plants to assume their natural form. Maintenance – Choose plants that can grow to their natural size in the space chosen which will lessen the amount of pruning and create less waste.
- Eliminate shearing by eliminating hedges - One of the reasons why hedges are sheared is because the shrubs out-grow their area. Shearing increases labor, fuel, and waste. Shearing removes all new growth and blossoms.
- Conserve water – Choose California natives, drought tolerant, and Mediterranean plants for a portion of your landscape. California natives such as Manzanita and Ceanothus are adapted to our soils, wildlife, and climate. Plants such as Yeddo Hawthorne, Euphorbia and Wild Lilac look beautiful and once established don't require any summer watering. Mediterranean plants like Ornamental grasses, Bush Germander, Lavandin Hedge Lavender or Dwarf Fruitless Olive thrive with little irrigation water. For a listing of plant materials that are low water use, download the WUCOLS (Water Use Classifications of Landscape Species) list found on line.
- Choose plants that will provide habitat food like nectar for beneficial wildlife.
- Trees - Use trees strategically throughout your property to act as natural air conditioners and lower your cooling costs by as much as 40%. Trees also absorb greenhouse gases, reduce storm water runoff and add to property values.
- Last but not least, introduce edibles to your landscape. Have you ever seen how beautiful an artichoke flower is?
mulch much more
In addition to plant selection, below are additional best practices to be taken for a sustainable and ecological-minded landscape management program:
- Avoid removing leaves as they drop from trees. Leaves become organic matter where nutrients are recycled, habitat is created, and waste is reduced.
- Use less herbicides by adding a layer of organic mulch 2-4" thick which helps to keep the soil cooler, reduces water needs, and suppresses weed and other invasive species of plants.
- Reduce or eliminate the use of synthetic pesticides to control pests by using less toxic alternatives. Many pesticides are toxic to microbes and severely alter the diversity of soil life. Accept a higher threshold of pests which will aid in protecting our watersheds and air quality.
- Build a healthy soil for long-term benefits by using compost teas and organic fertilizers instead of synthetic fertilizers which are fast-acting and frequently wash through the soil before plants have time to uptake
- Compost your green waste on site, by building and managing compost bins, and convert your mulch to natural soil amendments.
Marizco can get you set up and running with a sustainable landscaping management plan that works for your business and frees up your money and man power in ways that you can feel good about.