Owen Dell & Associates – Sustainable Landscape Design

Articles by Owen Dell


INPUTS & OUTPUTS WHAT'S SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING? Low-impact Resource-efficient Minimally polluting Stable over time In harmony with local environment Reduction of inputs and output		WORKSHOP AUDIO CLIP Inputs and Outputs (10 minutes) Requires the Real Audio player. This file is streaming audio and will begin to play right away. You may continue to browse the rest of the site while you listen.

INPUTS		OUTPUTS
BUILDING MATERIALS Re-use materials (RR Ties, broken concrete) Use recycled materials (plastic lumber) Use renewable resources Use less of everything Ask where things come from SIMPLIFY! WATER Use water-efficient plants Use natives & Mediterranean spp. Plant less densely Reduce lawn areas Use organic material Use drip irrigation Mulch the soil Grade site to conserve rainfall Manage water FERTILIZER Use plants that don't need feeding Use organic or slow-release fertilizers Fertilize less often Use less fertilizer Compost! Grasscycle!	PESTICIDES Use plants that are pest-resistant Provide proper growing conditions Allow some pests to remain Use Integrated Pest Management Use least-toxic pesticides Get rid of sickly plants HERBICIDES Avoid low-growing plants Use mulch to keep weeds down Hand-pull weeds when young Don't allow weeds to set seed Use a drip system FOSSIL FUELS Plant right-sized plants Don't over-fertilize Don't over-water Use hand tools, not power tools TIME Design your garden right! Plant right-sized plants Mulch Use an irrigation system MONEY All of the above	GREENWASTE Plant right-sized plants Allow plants to grow naturally Reduce lawn areas Grasscycle Fertilize less Water less Compost greenwaste & return to garden Use chips for mulch Allow leaf litter to remain in place POLLUTED RUNOFF Fertilize less Use fewer chemicals Grade site to retain water AIR POLLUTION Don't use power tools Avoid hauling things in & out Use fewer chemicals NOISE POLLUTION Don't use power tools Reduce greenwaste

*OTHER BENEFITS OF LANDSCAPING*
Reduces heating & cooling needs Provides windbreaks Prevents erosion Produces oxygen Absorbs air pollution	Reduces fire hazards Provides wildlife habitat Provides exercise & recreation Provides beauty	Other Articles by Owen E. Dell