HORTICULTURE CONSORTIUM OF SANTA BARBARA
Sustainable Landscaping Principles
What is Sustainable Landscaping? Whether you are replanting a window box at your downtown condo or starting a new garden in the rural fringe, your gardening methods reach far beyond your property line. When designed and carefully planned, sustainable landscapes can meet your landscape goals and protect the environment by using a minimum of resources and creating a minimum of waste. They thrive without excessive irrigation, or synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. They produce little greenwaste and prevent chemicals from impacting neighboring areas. In this way, you can avoid adverse effects on your neighborhood, community, and ecosystem.Sustainable landscapes are well-planned landscapes. Because they are well planned, they are not only beautiful, but also exist in balance with the surrounding environment.
10 things you can do!
1. START WITH A LANDSCAPE PLAN
Analyze your site. This includes existing vegetation, sun/shade, ground slope, water availability, soil type, air movement, views, noise sources, and privacy
Consider how the landscape will be used for beauty, a child's play area, vegetable gardening, erosion control, wildlife habitat, and climate control.
What materials will be needed and where do they come from? Are they renewable resources or do they produce impacts elsewhere?
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLANT FOR THE RIGHT PLACE
Pay attention to microclimates, i.e., solar exposure, soil type, and wind.
Group plants with similar cultivation requirements.
Use native plants whenever possible, or plants from other Mediterranean climate regions.
Space plants correctly, allowing them to reach their mature size without crowding.
Avoid invasive plants. Determine which species might escape from your landscape and become "weeds" in this area.
Use the principles of firescaping in high fire risk areas.
3. PROVIDE WILDLIFE HABITAT
Create habitats for wildlife. Provide food, shelter, and water year-round.
Plant California natives.
Use a wide array of species, especially those that attract beneficial insects and native birds.
4. MANAGE WATER WISELY
Hydrozone by grouping plants with similar water requirements.
Conduct monthly inspections of irrigation controllers and reprogram as the weather changes.
Check irrigation systems regularly for leaks. Adjust emitters and sprinkler heads to minimize overspray.
Reduce lawn area. Most lawns are water- and chemical-dependent.
Use a low-flow drip or micro-spray system wherever possible
Hire landscape professionals to assist you. Call your water purveyor and request an irrigation evaluation
Harvest rainwater. There are several ways to safely retain water on the site to recharge groundwater, and to use for future watering.
5. PRACTICE PROPER PRUNING
Except for formal hedges and espaliers, allow plants to achieve their natural shape and proportions.
Constant pruning is usually a sign that you've put the wrong plant in the wrong place. Consider replacing it. (see Principle 2)
Don't top trees! This can cause irreparable damage. Use the services of an experienced arborist.
Never remove more than 30% of a tree's mass at one time.
6. USE "ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY" TOOLS
Use hand tools rather than gas or electric powered tools when possible.
Are blowers really better than brooms? Think about all the dust and noise they generate, and the pathogens they spread!
Consider using a mulching mower if you have a lawn. They avoid the need to dispose of the cuttings.
7. CREATE AND USE COMPOST
30-50% of our landfill is filled with green waste. Recycle yours by creating compost
Compost is a free source of organic soil amendment, and reduces the need for fertilizers. Compost creates healthy soil, and healthy soil creates healthy plants that are less susceptible to attack by insects and diseases.
Don't dump yard waste in our creeks. It clogs storm drains and harms aquatic life.
Photo by Owen Dell, County Landscape and Design
8. CREATE AND USE MULCH
Some of the green waste from your garden can be chipped and applied as mulch.
Mulch not only reduces weeding, watering, and moisture evaporation, but also moderates soil temperature and helps improve soil texture.
Mulch with a 2 to 4 inch layer of bark, leaves, crushed rock, or other attractive material. To prevent damage, allow space between the mulch and the trunks of shrubs and trees.
Mulching mowers return lawn clippings to the lawn surface as beneficial mulch!
9. PRACTICE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
Before you select a plant, determine if it has pest problems in your area. Choose disease and pest resistant varieties and plant them in healthy, biologically active soil.
Develop a tolerance for small infestations. Perfection in the garden is an unrealistic goal. A few pests keep beneficial insects interested in your garden!
Use compost and slow-release organic fertilizers to strengthen plants against attack. If you must use inorganic fertilizers, use them sparingly.
Identify the problem/pest through careful observation. Get help if needed.
Choose controls that are the least disruptive to the surrounding ecosystem, such as beneficial insects, insecticidal soap, pyrethrum, yucca, and others.
If you must use a chemical remedy, protect yourself, neighbors, pets, and beneficial insects.
Dispose of excess chemicals responsibly. Runoff carries these chemicals into our creeks, oceans, and water table, and harms humans, pets and aquatic life.
10. USE RENEWABLE MATERIALS
Consider recycled, plastic lumber instead of redwood or other natural woods.
Try broken concrete for patios, walls, and stepping stones, it's inexpensive and can be tinted to blend into your garden.
Check architectural salvage yards for great garden ornaments.
Use local materials that are renewable resources.
If you would like to print this list please download the pdf file by rightclicking and print from your desktop.
For more information on sustainable landscaping
Call the Master Gardener Helpline (Santa Barbara: 682-4726 ext. 117,Ventura: 645-1455)
Visit the Santa Barbara Horticulture Consortium's Website
See the Landscaping Resources Links