It’s the middle of the winter, everything is rock hard frozen and covered with snow. So what a perfect time to talk about sustainable garden practices for this spring.

First let’s talk about a typical landscape in our area. Most yards are dominated by the lawn, some shrub beds with plants shaped like meatballs and a few exotic tree species with colored mulch riding too high up on the trunk. This tightly manicured setting does not mimic nature and basically has no sustainable attributes.

Let’s look at the landscape from another angle and create an environment that is more self-sustaining by improving the quality of the soil, water and air. Designing a yard where the relationships between people, plants and animals can benefit by recycling yard-waste, leaves, kitchen scraps and water. Also, this new practice will take less time and work and benefit wildlife and the environment. We can start by carefully observing the site and outline the existing geologic features as well as the existing vegetation. Utilizing the properties existing features rather than ripping and tearing with a bulldozer will give the property a healthier start. Removing invasive species and by planting native trees, shrubs and perennials that have adapted to the properties existing physical feature will make for a smooth transition. Overtime, nature will show us what direction to grow our landscape. For instance, if we are trying to establish a lawn in a shady location and all that will grow is this location is moss, let the moss grow. The foundation of ecological gardening is using nature as a guide and she will show us the easiest and correct way.