Sustainability
Much is talked about sustainability nowadays. It seems to populate every headline in every nature publication. Rightfully so, because the model used by society to fuel economical growth is anything but sustainable. But how can we as individuals make a difference? It all starts in our backyards. Nature is a well balanced equation, and replacing one small element can have serious consequences. In order to maintain this perfect balance, there’s a few small steps that we can all take. First, when considering which plants to use in your garden always chose native species over exotic ones. There are several benefits in using local plants: it attracts pollinating insects, nurtures the soil, feeds birds and small animals, is cheaper to maintain and ultimately strengthens the local environment. Exotic plants have they’re value and this is not to say that those species should be ignored all together. A lot of the times we prefer exotic plants for their aesthetic value. Use it as decorative plants in a small scale, let the native species fill the garden. It’s hard to point out the best benefit of using local plants, but maybe the one that stands out the most is how vital they are to the health of the soil. Native species don’t need expensive nutrients and fancy soil, they feed right off the existing nutrients. They also make the soil more fertile by replenishing it with nutrients. Finally, native species grow quicker thus giving you a full garden in less time. Here are a few examples of sustainable projects I have done over the years. Notice how local plants are just as exuberant as exotic ones with the added benefit of being environmentally good. Leaving a better world for the future generations is within everyone’s reach, and simple actions like substituting exotic plants for local plants go a long way.
The combination of water, wood, stone and plush vegetation makes this area perfect for winding down.
Q