Designing Eco-Friendly

Gardens –

Following Mother Nature’s

Lead

by Risa

Edelstein

landscapes and gardens are

changing

The green building movement is

exploding

more attention to our health issues

...and

the

health

of

our

pets

ecological issues

food security

We want to part of the solution

Eliminate chemicals + pesticides

ROUNDUP FACTS

• Most commonly used non-selective (it kills

everything) garden weed killer

• Estimated $44 billion business for

Monsanto

• Scientists are proving that it causes birth

defects, infertility, etc.

Is it worth the risks?

Backyard Composting

Natural Mulch

Fake Mulch

MULCH FACTS

• Best option - leaf mulch

• Leaf mulch becomes compost with a lot of nutrients = free fertilizer

• Mince in the fall – with a mower or leaf blower

• Leaf mulch stays in place – good during rain showers

• Second option – undyed mulch (no red or black please!) Check source.

I need

your

leaves!

compost + leaf mulch = healthy

soil

healthy soil = nutrients + soil life

Reduce Lawns +

Go Organic

LAWN FACTS

• During the season, 50 million lawns are mowed

• EPA estimates that 80 million homes dump 90 million lbs of pesticides & herbicides on lawns

• Americans spend $30 billion a year on lawn care

• Predictions that 50% of our lawns will be organic in next 5 years!

• Visit lawnreform.org or safelawns.org for more info

• Visit ELA & NOFA AOLCP for providers

Going Organic is Easy –DEMAND IT!

Plant more wild gardens

Plant Natives

Natives = Habitat + 4-Season

Beauty

local pollinator conservation

POLLINATOR FACTS

• Bees are the preeminent pollinators in NA

• Scientists are documenting dramatic

declines in native pollinator populations

• Pollinators are essential for flowering -

supports plants that birds and animals

need for food

• any size yard can support local pollinators

Source: gainsheritage

Source:randy son of

robert

Dutchman’s Pipe

hosts Pipevine

Swallowtail

Common Milkweed

hosts

Monarch Butterfly

Source: in2n8r

Virginia Creeper hosts

Sphinx Moth +

fall color

Edibles are HOT!

bird friendly + four season color

Natives – small trees + focal point

Attracting Native Pollinators, Xerces Society

Bringing Nature Home, Douglas Tallamy

Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East, Carolyn

Summers

1. Food Source - For example: Native plants, seeds, fruits, nuts, berries,

nectar

2. Water Source - For example: Birdbath, pond, water garden, stream

3. Places for Cover - For example: Thicket, rockpile, birdhouse

4. Places to Raise Young - For example: Dense shrubs, vegetation, nesting

box, pond

5. Sustainable Gardening - For example: Mulch, compost, rain garden,

chemical-free fertilizer

130,000 yards certified!

http://www.nwf.org

N

A

T

I

V

E

P

L

A

N

T

S

water

conservatio

n

smart irrigation

SMART WATERING

• Always watch the weather!

• Rule of thumb: 1” per week

• Rain sensor

• Drip irrigation in beds

• Audit system each season for leakage and damage

• Seasonal adjustments – spring, summer, fall

• After 3 years – exception not the rule!

rain gardens

RAIN GARDEN FACTS

• Runoff # 1 cause of water pollution

• Rain gardens reroute runoff from

downspouts & parking areas

• Rain gardens are shallow depressions that

allow stormwater to percolate and

recharge groundwater

• Percolation allows water to be filtered from

contaminants

• Lots of info online!

Garden in the Woods

local materials & recycling

Case Studies

Front Yard

Backyard Makeover

hillside

meadow

plant

diversity

supports

wildlife

habitat

Front Yard Makeover

Why is this an

ecological

design?

• Saved 2

native trees

• Removed all

of the lawn

• Recycled &

local

material –

granite,

fieldstone,

brick

• Compost

• Leaf mulch

• Drip

irrigation

• 50% Natives

fall color

Fortune – Best Place to live screen

shot

Park Makeover

dry

creek

one step at a time

edible trees

woodland habitat + recycled

brick

recycling granite

Risa Edelstein

ecological landscape

designer

www.risaedelstein.com

617-710-8157

redelstein@comcast.net