The New American Front Yard: Kiss Your Grass Goodbye

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Introduction

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The New American Front Yard: Kiss Your Grass Goodbye Sarah Carolyn Sutton www.KissYourGrassGoodbye.com No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Tendril Press, LLC., except for brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below. The individuals, companies, products and materials mentioned in this book are furnished for informational use only and are subject to change without notice. Neither the author nor publisher assume any liability or responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any direct or indirect injury, loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, by the information, companies, individuals or products mentioned herein, or for errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or any other inconsistency within these pages, or for unintentional slights against people or organizations. Individuals, companies, products and materials mentioned herein are for information only and do not constitute an endorsement. All images, logos, quotes and trademarks included in this book are subject to use according to trademark and copyright laws of the United States of America.

Published by Tendril Press™ © 2013 All Rights Reserved www.TendrilPress.com PO Box 441110 Aurora, CO 80044 303.696.9227

ISBN 978-0-9831587-1-4 Paper Library of Congress Control Number: 2012953504

Cover Photo: © 2011 by Sarah C. Sutton, Photographer. All Rights Reserved All Interior Photos and Illustrations are © 2009-2012 by Sarah C. Sutton unless otherwise noted Author’s Photo: © 2012 The Planning Center I DC&E, Santa Ana, California Photographer: Melissa Erikson This book is available through most bookstores, online bookstores, or can be ordered directly from the publisher. Special discounts are available for quantity purchases by companies, schools, organizations, associations, and others. For details, contact the “Special Sales Department” at the publisher’s address above. Art Direction, Book and Cover Design by Karin Hoffman © 2009-13. All Rights Reserved by A J Images Inc., www.AJImagesInc.com Info@AJImagesInc.com

To four individuals who have profoundly shaped my career as a Landscape Architect:

Douglas Wolfe and Gary Mason,

Landscape Architects, friends, colleagues, coworkers, and founders of Wolfe Mason Associates in the 1980’s — H WPVULLYPUN 3HUKZJHWL (YJOP[LJ[\YL HUK ,JVSVNPJHS 7SHUUPUN ÄYT [OH[ KLZPNULK VUL VM [OL ÄYZ[ JYLLR KH`SPNO[PUN WYVQLJ[Z PU [OL <: Strawberry Creek Park in Berkeley, California, conducted eco-system based community planning workshops throughout the country and always questioned the professional status-quo.

Teresa Eade and Cynthia Havstad,

with StopWaste.Org’s Bay-Friendly Landscaping program and the staff leads that developed the Bay-Friendly Landscape Guidelines: Sustainable Practices for the Landscape Professional, who have questioned, queried, challenged and inspired me to take my work to new levels as a Landscape Architect and responsible steward of the land.

This being the only living world we are ever likely to know, let us join together to make the most of it. —Edward O. Wilson Entomologist and Sociobiologist

Contents List of Tables and Graphs ...........................................................................................................................vi Foreword ..................................................................................................................................................vii Preface ......................................................................................................................................................ix Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................................xi Introduction............................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter One – Intervention! Kick Your Grass Addiction ............................................................................. 9 Chapter Two – Baby Steps: One Blade at a Time ...................................................................................... 21 Chapter Three - Playtime!! Explore the Possibilities .................................................................................. 49 Chapter Four – Design Principles: Bring out Your Inner Picasso! .............................................................. 77 Chapter Five – Make the Space: Create the Outdoor Room.................................................................... 113 Chapter Six – Your Oasis: Choose Your Plants ........................................................................................ 155 Chapter Seven – Accessories: Furnish the Room .................................................................................... 197 Chapter Eight – Time to Get Dirty! Installation and Maintenance ........................................................... 229 Chapter Nine – Pay it Forward: Beyond Your Property Line .................................................................... 271 Appendix – Native Plants for Your Front Yard ......................................................................................... 289 Endnotes................................................................................................................................................ 293 Glossary ................................................................................................................................................ 297 Bibliography .......................................................................................................................................... 303

v

List of Contributors .................................................................................................................................307 Index ......................................................................................................................................................311 About Sarah Carolyn Sutton....................................................................................................................315

Tables and Graphs Water Needs for a 3000 Square Foot Yard in St. Louis, Missouri ................................................................. 7 The Soil Food Web .................................................................................................................................. 37 Angle/Azimuth Chart ............................................................................................................................... 35 Ribbon Test Procedure ............................................................................................................................. 39 Front Yard Program Checklist ................................................................................................................... 51 Plastic Lumber Rating Criteria................................................................................................................ 207 Paving Materials Comparison................................................................................................................. 216 :HTWSL 7YVQLJ[ )\KNL[........................................................................................................................... 231 :HTWSL 7YVQLJ[ :JOLK\SL ....................................................................................................................... 233 Irrigation System Comparison ................................................................................................................ 241 A Little Garden Math ............................................................................................................................. 256 Woody Plants Ranked by Ability to Support Lepidoptera Species ........................................................... 291 Ability of Non-Native Plants to Support Lepidoptera Species ................................................................. 292

vi

Contents

FOREWORD Douglas Kent MS, MLA Author, Activist, Gardener

What? Color wheels are connected to biological diversity, romance to resource conservation? You bet. The threads that weave through our urban fabric tie the art world to the natural world, the esoteric to tangible. But not all threads are healthful and it is time to cut the threads tying us to lawns. Manicured turf is a 20th Century conceit and a relic from a time when we didn’t know how to be modern humans. We weren’t making the connections between air pollution and aquatic dieback, between a persistent cough and two-stroke engines. We didn’t fathom the perseverance of certain chemicals and the accumulation of particular toxins. We know now. We know that the installation and maintenance of turf consumes valuable resources. That it pollutes and degrades our streams, lakes and oceans. That it helps to reduce native biological diversity and increase alien. We also know that fossil fuel driven maintenance practices increase air pollution and respiratory problems. Most gardeners know that lawns are not good for the environment. In 2000 I was doing research on carbon neutral/carbon costly landscapes. The work involved examining both residential and municipal landscapes. Weighing the carbon ÅV^PUN PU HYV\UK HUK V\[ MYVT H SHUKZJHWL PZ MHZJPUH[PUN HUK WYV]PKLZ H X\HU[P[H[P]L outlook that can be employed as indicators to other environmental phenomena. It turns out that turf is incredibly carbon costly. The amount of carbon released through a lawn’s installation and maintenance exceeds a lawn’s potential of carbon sequestration by as much as 100%. In fact, we could reduce far more greenhouse gasses by paving over lawn with concrete – with concrete! Obviously, it is time to kiss our grass goodbye. vii

The New American Front Yard is a book for the 21st Century – designed and written for new century mandates and aspirations. Sarah has written a manifesto that has all the tools needed to change hearts, front yards and communities. (YL `V\ UL^ [V SHUKZJHWL KLZPNU VY NHYKLUPUN& 5V WYVISLT [OL WYVZL ZPTWSPÄLZ complex ideas. Having problems visualizing your space? Sarah will take you through an easy process. Need to know all the steps for a complete makeover? She has provided several lists, tables and charts. From the importance of rich soil to the spacing of trees, Sarah provides such a thorough and comprehensive examination of lawn-less front yards that this book is an essential tool for all, whether novice, seasoned gardener or professional land manager. More than anything, though, Sarah has created an upbeat work of art that inspires. She shows us the threads that tie color wheels to air quality, composition and balance to our wellbeing. After reading her book you will believe, as I do, that anyone can transform their front yard into a landscape that only needs maintenance once a month, not once a week—that all of us can create spaces that delight, soothe and heal our frenzied urban souls. For 25 years I have worked in hundreds of landscapes and scores of communities and the bulk of the work has been aimed at improving ecological vitality. But getting an individual or entity to change is tough. Progress is measured in blades of grass, not yards. One of the most enduring aspects of Sarah’s work is her ability to steer clear VM LU]PYVUTLU[HS YOL[VYPJ HUK ZOV^ \Z HSS HZWLJ[Z VM SH^U SLZZ MYVU[ `HYKZ UV[ Q\Z[ native plants, or food, or Xeriscape, but all of it. Americans are savvy and independent HUK ULLK VW[PVUZ [OH[ YLÅLJ[ [OLPY \UPX\L JOHYHJ[LY The New American Front Yard has something for everyone. Grab this book, soak up its inspired and insightful energy, and then head into your landscape. Together we can start pulling new threads through our communities, HUK ^LH]L H [HWLZ[Y` [OH[ PZ HZ ILH\[PM\S [V ILOVSK HZ ILULÄJPHS MVY HSS SP]PUN [OPUNZ including us.

viii

Foreword

PREFACE >OLU 0 NYHK\H[LK ^P[O T` \UKLYNYHK\H[L KLNYLL PU 3HUKZJHWL (YJOP[LJ[\YL MYVT <* Berkeley in 1976, we were in the midst of a serious drought in the western states. People in the San Francisco Bay Area were rallying to the conservation challenge, cutting back on water use any way we could. We’d shower with a bucket (and yes, sometimes with a friend, for those who remember that popular saying) and use the accumulated water to Å\ZO V\Y [VPSL[Z ( ÄS[O` JHY ^HZ H ZPNU VM ZVSPKHYP[` 7LVWSL IYHNNLK HIV\[ OHUK ^HZOPUN dishes, sweeping their patios (vs. hosing them off) and enthusiastically compared gallons saved while chatting in coffee shops. Lawns were left un-watered, and allowed to die. The collective neighborhood landscapes were changing; but into what, and for what end, was not clear. Fresh from college, with an education that emphasized both ecological principles and design, and inspired by Sunset magazine’s colorful publications featuring water JVUZLY]H[PVU [PWZ HUK KYV\NO[ [VSLYHU[ WSHU[ SPZ[Z 0 MLS[ LTWV^LYLK [V OLSW KLÄUL H UL^ ^H[LY JVUZLY]PUN SHUKZJHWL HLZ[OL[PJ 0 ^HZ HSZV UHP]LS` JVUÄKLU[ [OH[ T` JVSSLHN\LZ and I would be re-inventing private and public landscapes with little or no lawn throughout the state. >OPSL THU` SHUKZJHWL WYVMLZZPVUHSZ LTIYHJLK [OPZ JOHUNL HUK THKL ZPNUPÄJHU[ contributions in that direction, the world at large was neither ready nor interested. Once the “temporary” drought ended in the early 1980’s and water restrictions were lifted, new home and commercial developments resumed the status quo and rolled out acres and acres of instantly green, curb-appealing sod. Many of us throughout the country persevered and celebrated any shift in consciousness or acceptance of a more ecoZ`Z[LT IHZLK SHUKZJHWL 0[ OHZ ILLU H SVUN HUK JOHSSLUNPUN QV\YUL` Now, in 2012, following the worst nation-wide drought in history, the tide seems to be turning. Homeowners are seeking resources to help them reinvent and re-envision their front yards. I have shared ideas and approaches with many friends and neighbors ix

over the past four years, leading to a suggestion that I consider writing this book—which PZ ÄUHSS` JVTWSL[L [OHURZ [V [OL HZZPZ[HUJL VM MHTPS` MYPLUKZ JVSSLHN\LZ HUK JSPLU[Z *YLH[PUN [OPZ IVVR ^HZ H MHZJPUH[PUN HK]LU[\YL HZ 0 ZV\NO[ [V X\HU[PM` HUK KLÄUL the often intuitive process I follow to arrive at a landscape design that is unique and appropriate for each location. The exercise took me back to my college days and allowed me the luxury of revisiting my old (and at times purchasing new) reference books in my ever-expanding library. Many colleagues shared their insights and knowledge. But the greatest education grew from my travels, both locally and out of state, where I discovered beautiful turf-less front yards of all types and sizes and studied why they worked; what made them appealing and pleasant. The end result took many evenings and weekends over the course of four years, working closely with Karin Hoffman and her team at Tendril Press, to create this comprehensive guidebook. As you explore the chapters, photos and illustrations in The New American Front Yard 0 ILSPL]L `V\ ^PSS ÄUK [OL PUMVYTH[PVU `V\ HYL ZLLRPUN HUK will be inspired by the amazing work of many homeowners and designers. I invite you to take this message out into the world with your new front yard.

Sarah Carolyn Sutton

x

Preface

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This book would never have been completed without the assistance and contributions of the following talented and knowledgeable individuals and organizations: Colleagues who generously contributed photos, designs, ideas and inspiration including: Alisa Rose Seidlitz, Ambiance-Eco; Ive Haugeland, Shades of Green Landscape Architecture; Michael Thilgen, Four Dimensions Landscape; Dave Roberts, Dave Roberts Landscape; Ivy Munion, ICS Group; Marc Richmond, Practica Consulting; Sherri Osaka, Sustainable Landscape Design; Ryan Marlinghaus, EarthCare Landscaping; Jae Koenig, Ethos Landcape Design and Soil Ecology; Mary Fisher, Mary Fisher Garden Design; Robb Hirsch; Jess Stryker, Irrigation Tutorials; Kat Weiss, Kat Weiss Landscape Design; Cheri Larson, Green Girls Market; Lauren Hall Knight; Paul Dyer; Douglas Kent; Douglas Tallamy; David Gilmore; Amadeo Bachar; Diamera Bach; Leonard Szymczak; Jeff Lowenfels; Fawn Rechkemmer; David Schmetterling; and Alice Houseworth, Annie Youngerman, Bill Bogenschutz, Melissa Erikson, Melissa McDonough and Todd Jones, co-workers at The Planning Center|DC&E. Businesses and organizations who offered input, images and expertise including: StopWaste.Org and the Bay-Friendly Landscaping & Gardening Program, Bay Nature 0UZ[P[\[L [OL *HSPMVYUPH <YIHU >H[LY *VUZLY]H[PVU *V\UJPS :\UZL[ 7\ISPZOPUN Corporation, Siegel & Strain Architects, Cagwin & Dorward, Family Handyman Magazine, Gardener’s Supply Company, The Great American Rain Barrel Company, /HIP[H[ ,HZ[ )H` :PSPJVU =HSSL`" ;OL <YIHU -HYTLY :[VYL (TLYPJHU 7SHZ[PJ 3\TILY The Wooden Duck, Wind and Weather, Filtrexx International, Hunter Industries, Smart Solar Inc., Bike Furniture Design, Compost Tumbler, and SwanH2O. Friends who gave freely of their time and wisdom including Cheri Jaques, for her support, skillful editing and encouragement; Jah Mackey, creative marketing genius and idea generator; Julie “Eagle Eye” Mattern; and Ardis Bow, artist extraordinaire. xi

Countless homeowners who generously welcomed me into their gardens, and landscape architects, designers and contractors whose creative genius caught my eye on my many travels gathering images. Family members including my sisters, Mary and Susan, her husband, Rob and sons James and Peter, and my son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Danielle, for their ongoing support, help and encouragement. And last, but not least, my sweetheart and partner Stephen Cocconi for his astute and focused assistance with the research and writing, for tirelessly nursing me back to health after I broke my ankle in the midst of this process, and for cheering me on while reluctantly accepting far too many cancelled date nights.

xii

Acknowledgements

INTRODUCTION

<UMVY[\UH[LS` V\Y HMÅ\LU[ ZVJPL[` OHZ HSZV ILLU HU LMÅ\LU[ ZVJPL[` — Hubert H. Humphrey

Introduction

1

I

remember walking to elementary school after a heavy rain and knowing I could always JV\U[ VU [^V [OPUNZ! [OL WYL[[` PYPKLZJLU[ VPS ZSPJR YHPUIV^Z Ã…V^PUN PU [OL N\[[LYZ HUK all the displaced earthworms on the sidewalk that were waterlogged as they evacuated

[OLPY Ã…VVKLK OVTLZ ¸.L[ TL V\[ VM OLYL ¹ 0 PTHNPULK [OLT ZH`PUN \UH^HYL H[ T` `V\UN HNL [OH[ LHY[O^VYTZ KV UV[ ¸[OPUR¹ SPRL ^L KV 0 ^V\SK IL HS[LYUH[LS` HTHaLK HUK NYVZZLK V\[ H[ [OLPY ZPaL HUK U\TILYZ 6M JV\YZL ZVTL VM [OL IV`Z ^V\SK WPJR \W [OL IPNNLZ[ HUK ZSPTPLZ[ VULZ HUK JOHZL \Z NPYSZ KV^U [OL Z[YLL[ HZ ^L YHU HUK ZJYLHTLK HSS the way to school. >OH[ 0 KPKU»[ RUV^ H[ [OL [PTL PZ [OL ^H` [OVZL [^V VIZLY]H[PVUZ VPS YHPUIV^Z HUK MH[ ^VYTZ ^V\SK YLSH[L [V WYLZLU[ LU]PYVUTLU[HS JVUJLYUZ 5VY KPK 0 YLHSPaL OV^ [OL installation and care of traditional home landscapes contribute to that relationship. 5V^ HZ HU HK\S[ 0 HT H SHUKZJHWL HYJOP[LJ[ 0 SV]L ILH\[PM\S JVSVYM\S HUK PUZWPYPUN SHUKZJHWLZ (UK HZ H OVTLV^ULY 0 SV]L T` MYVU[ `HYK )\[ 0 HSZV SV]L NHYKLUZ [OH[ HYL LU]PYVUTLU[HSS` MYPLUKS` LHZ` [V THPU[HPU HUK LHZ` VU T` I\KNL[ -YVT H WYHJ[PJHS Z[HUKWVPU[ 0 RUV^ `V\Y PU]LZ[TLU[ PU `V\Y OV\ZL HZ P[ KVLZ TPUL YLX\PYLZ H JLY[HPU HLZ[OL[PJ [OH[ 0 T` ULPNOIVYZ HUK T` YLHS LZ[H[L HNLU[ ÄUK WSLHZPUN 4` WVPU[ VM ]PL^ Z[LTZ MYVT [OVZL KLZPYLZ HUK WYPUJPWSLZ 0 HSZV ^HU[ [V KV T` WHY[ [V OLHS [OL LHY[O VUL MYVU[ `HYK H[ H [PTL" [V ZH]L V\Y WYLJPV\Z KYPURPUN ^H[LY VUL ZWYPURSLY H[ H [PTL" HUK [V ZH]L \Z HSS TVUL` VUL ^H[LY IPSS VY VUL NHSSVU VM M\LS H[ H [PTL >OPSL RLLWPUN HSS [OPZ PU TPUK 0 KPZJV]LYLK [OH[ ^VYRPUN HZ H KLZPNULY HUK HU HY[PZ[ HYL [OL TVZ[ PTWVY[HU[ [V TL 4` WHZZPVU PUZWPYLZ TL [V JYLH[L ILH\[` ^OPSL TLYNPUN LSLNHUJL HUK ZPTWSPJP[` 4` WYVMLZZPVU KLTHUKZ JVZ[ LMMLJ[P]LULZZ HUK \ZHIPSP[`" `L[ HZ H JP[PaLU VM [OPZ WSHUL[ 0 HT VISPNH[LK [V [HRL \W [OL KY\TILH[ MVY Z\Z[HPUHIPSP[` HUK renewal. I feel a deep need to use my knowledge to contribute to the health of the land HUK [OL ^LSS ILPUN VM P[Z WLVWSL ( ^LSS KLZPNULK UH[\YHS NHYKLU LU]PYVUTLU[HSS` HUK WZ`JOVSVNPJHSS` OLHSZ \Z (UK PU [OPZ [PTL VM L]LY [PNO[LUPUN I\KNL[Z PUJYLHZLK WVSS\[PVU M\LS ZOVY[HNLZ HUK KPTPUPZOPUN ^H[LY Z\WWSPLZ 0 ^HU[ H `HYK [OH[ ZLY]LZ TL YH[OLY [OHU the reverse. The New American Front Yard [LZ[PÄLZ [V [OLZL ]HS\LZ HUK WYPUJPWSLZ 0[ UV[ VUS` describes multiple environmental concerns with the standard American front yard; but it HSZV ZOV^Z `V\ OV^ [V [YHUZP[PVU MYVT H SH^U ZJHWL [V HU H[[YHJ[P]L LJV MYPLUKS` ^H[LY JVUZLY]PUN SV^ THPU[LUHUJL NHYKLU 0[ PZ PTWVY[HU[ [V THRL [OH[ [YHUZP[PVU ,]LU [OV\NO P[ TH` IL OHYK [V ILSPL]L [OH[ V\Y JVVS S\ZO LTLYHSK NYLLU JHYWL[ JV\SK L]LY OHYT \Z

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The New American Front Yard: Kiss Your Grass Goodbye

^L ULLK [V YLHSPaL [OH[ ^OH[ JHYLZZLZ V\Y [VLZ VU [OL Z\YMHJL WYPJRZ VM ZVTL[OPUN KLLWS` VTPUV\Z \UKLYMVV[ 0U V[OLY ^VYKZ UV[ HSS NYLLU PZ ¸NYLLU ¹ What consumes over 20 billion gallons of water each year? What has generated more than 5 percent of the total air pollution in the US?1 What leads to more oil spilled HUU\HSS` [OHU HSS [OL VPS SVZ[ PU [OL LU[PYL ,__VU =HSKLa KPZHZ[LY&2 @V\Y SH^U 4VYL HJJ\YH[LS` P[»Z [OL J\T\SH[P]L PTWHJ[ VM [`WPJHS SH^U THPU[LUHUJL WYHJ[PJLZ [OYV\NOV\[ the US. 0YYPNH[LK SH^UZ \ZL HZ T\JO HZ NHSSVUZ VM ^H[LY WLY ZX\HYL MLL[ VM [\YM 3 [OL H]LYHNL ZPaL VM [OL [`WPJHS (TLYPJHU MYVU[ SH^U 4\S[PWS` [OH[ I` H JVUZLY]H[P]L ÄM[` TPSSPVU OVTLZ UH[PVU ^PKL HUK [OL X\HU[P[` VM ^H[LY JVUZ\TLK Z[HNNLYZ [OL TPUK·HZ T\JO HZ IPSSPVU NHSSVUZ VM WV[HISL ^H[LY WLY `LHY 4 *VUZPKLY [OPZ! 0U ZTVN MVYTPUN WVSS\[HU[Z MYVT NHZ WV^LYLK NHYKLU THPU[LUHUJL LX\PWTLU[ JVU[YPI\[LK WLYJLU[ TVYL [V HPY WVSS\[PVU HUK JSPTH[L JOHUNL WLY NHSSVU VM NHZ [OHU HU H\[VTVIPSL HJJVYKPUN [V [OL *HSPMVYUPH (PY 9LZV\YJLZ )VHYK *(9) 5 0U [OPZ Z[HY[SPUN U\TILY PUJP[LK *(9) [V HKVW[ YLN\SH[PVUZ [OH[ YLX\PYLK NHZ WV^LYLK SH^U HUK NHYKLU LX\PWTLU[ [V YLK\JL LTPZZPVUZ I` WLYJLU[ 6 ,MMLJ[P]L PU [OL ,7( LUHJ[LK H ZPTPSHY YLX\PYLTLU[ 7 (Z PM [OH[ ^LYLU»[ LUV\NO [OL NHZVSPUL HUK S\IYPJH[PVU VPS ZWSHZOLK VU KYP]L^H`Z ^OLU ÄSSPUN [OVZL ZTHSS

Top: A single lawn sprinkler can

waste hundreds of gallons of water per year. Bottom: Millions of gallons of oil

and lubricants are carried into our waterways per year.

THJOPULZ ZWPSSZ V]LY TPSSPVU NHSSVUZ VM M\LS ¸VPS ZSPJRZ¹ PU[V our waterways each year.8 ,U]PYVUTLU[HS JVUJLYUZ KV UV[ Z[VW ^P[O NHZ WV^LYLK LX\PWTLU[ [OH[ NLULYH[LZ [YLTLUKV\Z X\HU[P[PLZ VM JHYIVU LTPZZPVUZ HUK WVSS\[PVU 7LZ[PJPKLZ HUK ^LLK RPSSLYZ \ZLK [V maintain the typical front lawn result in the poisonings of pets HUK \U[VSK HTV\U[Z VM [V_PJ L_WVZ\YL [V JOPSKYLU (JJVYKPUN [V H Z[\K` W\ISPZOLK PU I` [OL UVUWYVÄ[ ,U]PYVUTLU[HS HUK /\THU /LHS[O 0UJ OVTLV^ULYZ HWWS` TVYL JOLTPJHS WLZ[PJPKLZ PUJS\KPUN OLYIPJPKLZ [V [OLPY SH^UZ [OHU MHYTLYZ \ZL VU [OLPY JYVWZ·HZ T\JO HZ [LU [PTLZ TVYL 5LHYS` eighty million pounds of pesticide-active ingredients are used annually on US lawns. These chemicals put our family and pets H[ YPZR ^P[O ULHYS` HJJPKLU[HS WLZ[PJPKL L_WVZ\YLZ HUK WVPZVUPUNZ YLWVY[LK LHJO `LHY 6]LY OHSM VM [OLZL L_WVZ\YLZ

Introduction

3

PU]VS]LK JOPSKYLU \UKLY [OL HNL VM ZP_ ;OL ¸PULY[¹ PUNYLKPLU[Z ^OPJO TH` THRL \W HZ T\JO HZ WLYJLU[ VM [OLZL WYVK\J[Z JHU IL L]LU TVYL [V_PJ [OHU [OL HJ[P]L PUNYLKPLU[Z ;OL VKKZ VM H JOPSK KL]LSVWPUN SL\RLTPH IYHPU JHUJLY HUK ZVM[ [PZZ\L ZHYJVTH PUJYLHZL ^OLU [OH[ `V\UNZ[LY PZ L_WVZLK [V WLZ[PJPKLZ PU [OL OVTL HUK NHYKLU ,WPKLTPVSVNPJHS Z[\KPLZ OH]L SPURLK H © Suzanne Tucker, shutterstock.com

substantial increase—80 percent between 1973 and 1997—in [OL PUJPKLUJL VM UVU /VKNRPUZ S`TWOVTH [V Ä]L VM [OL TVZ[ JVTTVUS` \ZLK NHYKLU WLZ[PJPKLZ! +" NS`JVWOVZWOH[L" 4*77" KPJHTIH" HUK KPHaPUVU 9 5V[L [OH[ PU [OL ,7( IHUULK [OL ZHSL VM KPHaPUVU MVY YLZPKLU[PHS \ZL PU [OL <: 0U HKKP[PVU THU` WL[Z HYL WVPZVULK LHJO `LHY HM[LY LH[PUN snail or rodent baits or an animal that’s been poisoned by [OVZL IHP[Z 0 OH]L WLYZVUHS L_WLYPLUJL ^P[O [OPZ PZZ\L 6UL TVYUPUN 2PKKV V\Y MHTPS` JH[ ^HZ MV\UK K`PUN VU [OL RP[JOLU ÅVVY HM[LY H IYPLM ]PZP[ V\[ZPKL /L ^HZ MVHTPUN H[ [OL mouth and surrounded by his own urine and feces. According

© Dmitrijs Dmitrijevs, shutterstock.com

Homeowners apply as much as ten times more chemicals to their lawns than farmers use on their crops! 10

[V [OL ]L[ [OPZ ^HZ H JSLHYJ\[ JHZL VM HJ\[L [V_PJ WVPZVUPUN The traditional American landscape of chemically-treated

S\ZO NYLLU SH^UZ JSPWWLK OLKNLZ HUK [OPYZ[` L_V[PJ WSHU[Z Z\WWVY[Z HUK LUJV\YHNLZ ^HZ[LM\S WVSS\[PUN WYHJ[PJLZ [OH[ JHU PTWHPY V\Y OLHS[O HUK THRL V\Y HPY ZVPS HUK ^H[LY^H`Z [V_PJ >OPSL [OLZL SV]LS` ¸ULH[ HUK NYLLU¹ `HYKZ THRL \Z ILSPL]L ^L HYL KVPUN [OPUNZ YPNO[ JVTWLSSPUN L]PKLUJL [V [OL JVU[YHY` JVU[PU\LZ [V ZOV^ [OPZ \UMVY[\UH[L turf-scape tradition is a scourge upon our land that: ‹ Z[YPWZ UH[P]L ]LNL[H[PVU [OH[ WYV]PKLZ MVVK HUK ZOLS[LY MVY IPYKZ HUK ILULÄJPHS PUZLJ[Z HUK YLWSHJLZ P[ ^P[O TVUVJ\S[\YLZ VM [\YM NYHZZ VYUHTLU[HS ZOY\IZ HUK L_V[PJ [YLLZ ^P[O SP[[SL OHIP[H[ ]HS\L" ‹ KLWSL[LZ [OL ZVPS VM TPJYVVYNHUPZTZ HUK U\[YPLU[Z [\YUPUN H VUJL YPJO Z\I[LYYHULHU ecosystem into an almost lifeless medium unable to support healthy plant life without heavy chemical intervention; ‹ HJ[Z HZ H ZPNUPÄJHU[ JVUK\P[ MVY WYP]H[L PU[YVK\J[PVU VM [V_PJ WVSS\[HU[Z PU[V V\Y ZVPS HPY HUK ^H[LY^H`Z"

4

The New American Front Yard: Kiss Your Grass Goodbye

NLULYH[LZ L_JLZZP]L ^HZ[L [OH[ V]LYI\YKLUZ V\Y SHUKÄSSZ MYVT ^HZ[LM\S JVUZ[Y\J[PVU WYHJ[PJLZ JVUZ[HU[ OLKNPUN WY\UPUN HUK TV^PUN" contributes to climate change by increasing the urban heat

Examples of landscapes that generate waste and pollution from constant manicuring with gas-powered equipment.

PZSHUK LMMLJ[ [OYV\NO L_JLZZP]L WH]LTLU[ HUK PUZ\MÄJPLU[ [YLL JV]LY [YHUZWVY[PUN SH^U JHYL HUK VYUHTLU[HS WYVK\J[Z NHZ N\aaSPUN THPU[LUHUJL LX\PWTLU[" wastes energy and generates environmentally damaging light pollution from poorly designed outdoor lighting; consumes ever-diminishing supplies of clean drinking ^H[LY [V JYLH[L HU HY[PÄJPHS VHZPZ"

© rSnapshotPhotos, shutterstock.com

HJYVZZ [OL JV\U[Y` HUK WYVK\JPUN THZZP]L WVSS\[PVU MYVT

PUKPZJYPTPUH[LS` RPSSZ ILULÄJPHS PUZLJ[Z [OH[ WYV]PKL ecosystem services such as pollinating fruit trees and ]LNL[HISL NHYKLUZ HUK LH[PUN \U^HU[LK WLZ[Z" KLTHUKZ L_JLZZP]L WLYZVUHS L_WLUKP[\YLZ MVY ^H[LY MLY[PSPaLYZ `HYK LX\PWTLU[ HUK VY THPU[LUHUJL ZLY]PJLZ 0U TVYL HYPK YLNPVUZ [OL JVZ[ VM ^H[LY HSVUL JHU IL O\UKYLKZ of dollars each month; \ZLZ NHZ WV^LYLK LX\PWTLU[ [OH[ NLULYH[LZ L_JLZZP]L UVPZL HUK ZTLSS` M\TLZ KYP]PUN THU` WLVWSL PU[V [OLPY OV\ZLZ MVY YLSPLM WYL]LU[PUN [OLT MYVT LUQV`PUN [OLPY V^U outdoor sanctuaries.

Introduction

5

Are All Lawns Bad?

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>HP[ H TPU\[L 0Z `V\Y SH^U ZH`PUN ¸0»T UV[ IHK¯0»T Q\Z[ NYV^U [OH[ ^H`¹& 0ZU»[ [OLYL H TVYL LJV MYPLUKS` VW[PVU& @LZ

The solution lies not with a huge government lawn bailout package or municipal THUKH[LZ LUMVYJLK I` ¸3H^U 7VSPJL¹ ^OV WH[YVS ULPNOIVYOVVKZ HUK PZZ\L JP[H[PVUZ [V ^H[LY ^HZ[LYZ 5V T` KLHY YLHKLY [OL ZVS\[PVU SPLZ ^P[O `V\ /V^ ZV& 3L[»Z ZH` `V\ OH]L H ZX\HYL MVV[ MYVU[ SH^U PU [OL :[ 3V\PZ HYLH >OLU `V\ Z^P[JO MYVT H ^H[LY NS\[[VUV\Z ^LLK RPSSLY KLTHUKPUN WLZ[ JVU[YVSSLK ^LLRLUK

lawns can use less water

JVUZ\TPUN NYHZZ `HYK [V H SV^ THPU[LUHUJL ^H[LY JVUZLY]PUN LJV MYPLUKS` _LYPZJHWL

and be installed and

`V\ JHU ZH]L V]LY NHSSVUZ VM ^H[LY WLY `LHY ZLL NYHWO VU WHNL HUK HZ T\JO

THPU[HPULK VYNHUPJHSS`

HZ WLY `LHY >OH[ JV\SK `V\ KV ^P[O [OH[ ZH]PUNZ& ( YLJLU[ KLTVUZ[YH[PVU WYVQLJ[

and some areas of the US

PU :V\[OLYU *HSPMVYUPH TVUP[VYLK [^V ZX\HYL MVV[ ZPKL I` ZPKL MYVU[ `HYKZ MVY

YLJLP]L Z\MÄJPLU[ YHPU [V

MV\Y `LHYZ 6UL ^HZ WSHU[LK ^P[O JSPTH[L HWWYVWYPH[L ^H[LY JVUZLY]PUN WSHU[Z KYPW

water the lawn naturally

PYYPNH[PVU HUK H ZLSM HKQ\Z[PUN H\[VTH[PJ JVU[YVSSLY ;OL `HYK UL_[ KVVY WYPTHYPS` H SH^U

with no need to turn on [OL ZWYPURSLYZ )\[ SH^U

^P[O H ML^ ¸Z[HUKHYK¹ MV\UKH[PVU ZOY\IZ \ZLK ZWYH` PYYPNH[PVU HUK H Z[HUKHYK \ZLY VWLYH[LK JVU[YVSSLY ;OL SH^U IHZLK `HYK \ZLK V]LY NHSSVUZ VM ^H[LY WLY `LHY ^OPSL [OL _LYPZJHWLK `HYK VUS` ULLKLK NHSSVUZ ;OH[»Z H NHSSVU ZH]PUNZ

is an outdoor carpet to

each year.11 (UK PU [OL `LHY [OL LZ[PTH[LK JVZ[ PU KVSSHYZ ^PSS IL HWWYV_PTH[LS`

IL \ZLK MYLX\LU[S` UV[

0U HKKP[PVU [V ^H[LY JVUZLY]H[PVU `V\ ^PSS ZWLUK SLZZ [PTL TV^PUN MLY[PSPaPUN

a decorative display in

LKNPUN HUK [YPTTPUN `V\Y SH^U HUK NHYKLU HUK TVYL [PTL LUQV`PUN P[ )` Z^P[JOPUN [V

your front yard.

HU LJVSVNPJHSS` IHZLK HWWYVHJO `V\ `V\Y MHTPS` HUK `V\Y WL[Z ^PSS UV[ IL L_WVZLK [V [V_PJ OLYIPJPKLZ HUK WLZ[PJPKLZ [OH[ JHU Z[LYPSPaL [OL ZVPS HUK Y\U VMM PU[V ULHYI` JYLLRZ and streams. ( JVTT\UP[` LMMVY[ IL[^LLU `V\ HUK `V\Y ULPNOIVYZ JHU ZH]L HU HTHaPUN HTV\U[ VM ^H[LY 0U MHJ[ YLWSHJPUN [OL SH^UZ VM VUS` OVTLZ \ZPUN [OL :[ 3V\PZ L_HTWSL could yield a staggering savings of 16 million gallons per year—enough to meet the HUU\HS KYPURPUN ^H[LY ULLKZ MVY V]LY WLVWSL 12 0U HKKP[PVU [OL JVSSLJ[P]L LU]PYVUTLU[HS ILULÄ[Z MYVT Z\Z[HPUHISL NHYKLUPUN JHU ZPNUPÄJHU[S` YLK\JL JHYIVU LTPZZPVUZ [OH[ JVU[YPI\[L [V JSPTH[L JOHUNL ZH]PUN an estimated four tons of CO2 WLY HJYL HJJVYKPUN [V :[VW>HZ[L 6YN 13 Converting an estimated 21 million acres of home lawnscapes in the US to eco-friendly yards could result in a savings of 84 million tons of CO2 per year.14

6

The New American Front Yard: Kiss Your Grass Goodbye

In this example15 a Water Budget Calculator was used to estimate the monthly water requirements for two yards of the same size in St. Louis, Missouri. The graph illustrates the seasonal rise and fall in plant water demands, but also shows the importance of plant types in your landscape. The Traditional Landscape is composed of 2/3 turf & 1/3 shrub areas. The Water Wise Landscape is 1/3 turf & 2/3 locally adapted trees, shrubs and groundcovers, and saves 28,000 gallons of water over one irrigation season. Reproduced by permission of the California Water Conservation Council, h2ouse.org

This aerial photo of a typical subdivision shows acres and acres of lawn throughout. Photo Source: Google Maps

Introduction

7

¸:HYYYYHOOOO ¹ `V\ TH` ZH` ¸0 NL[ P[ 0 ULLK [V [OPUR HIV\[ YLWSHJPUN T` MYVU[ SH^U )\[ 0 KVU»[ RUV^ ^OLYL [V ILNPU VY ^OPJO WSHU[Z [V JOVVZL HUK 0 KVU»[ L]LU ^HU[ [V KV [OPZ PM T` MYVU[ `HYK PZ NVPUN [V LUK \W SVVRPUN SPRL [OL WHSHJL LU[YHUJL MVY º:OLIH 8\LLU VM [OL +LZLY[ »¹ Trust me. You can have an attractive front yard without the lawn and petunia beds. 0U [OL MVSSV^PUN JOHW[LYZ 0 ^PSS KLTVUZ[YH[L OV^ P[ PZ WVZZPISL [V JYLH[L H SV]LS` \UPX\L MYVU[ `HYK [OH[ Z\P[Z `V\Y WLYZVUHS [HZ[L ^OPSL WYV]PKPUN T\S[PWSL LU]PYVUTLU[HS ILULÄ[Z )` [OL [PTL `V\ JVTWSL[L [OPZ IVVR `V\ ^VU»[ TPZZ `V\Y SH^U HU` TVYL [OHU `V\ TPZZ [OL WPTWSLZ `V\ OHK HZ H [LLUHNLY 0U MHJ[ `V\ ^PSS IL ^H]PUN ÄUHS MHYL^LSSZ [V `V\Y NYHZZ HZ `V\ HKTPYL `V\Y UL^ SHUKZJHWL VUL `V\»SS IL WYV\K [V JHYL MVY HUK U\Y[\YL @V\ JHU OH]L H `HYK [OH[ PZ PU Z`UJ ^P[O UH[\YL HZ ^LSS HZ VUL [OH[ PZ ILH\[PM\S HUK M\U 0»SS ^HSR `V\ [OYV\NO [OL Z[LWZ [V OLSW KLÄUL `V\Y ]PZPVU JYLH[L `V\Y WSHU HUK N\PKL `V\ [OYV\NO JOVVZPUN WSHU[Z HUK PTWSLTLU[H[PVU -VY TVYL PUMVYTH[PVU VY OLSW ^P[O `V\Y WYVQLJ[ WSHUZ WSLHZL ]PZP[ 2PZZ@V\Y.YHZZ.VVKI`L JVT ^OLYL `V\ JHU ]PL^ O\UKYLKZ VM KLZPNU PKLHZ MYLL VM JOHYNL HUK Z\ITP[ X\LZ[PVUZ [V T` ISVN -VY J\Z[VT KLZPNUZ \WSVHK WOV[VZ VM `V\Y J\YYLU[ MYVU[ `HYK HUK 0 ^PSS JYLH[L ZWLJPÄJ WSHUZ HUK KYH^PUNZ MVY `V\ [V JVUZPKLY @V\ ^PSS HSZV ÄUK H SPZ[ VM LJV JVUZJPV\Z KLZPNULYZ HUK PUZ[HSSLYZ PU `V\Y area for those who wish to have the work performed by a local professional. 5V^ P[»Z [PTL [V OH]L M\U HUK SLHYU OV^ [V Kiss Your Grass Goodbye 6UL ÄUHS [OPUN ILMVYL ^L NL[ Z[HY[LK! RPJR VMM `V\Y ZOVLZ HUK [HRL H Z[YVSS HYV\UK `V\Y `HYK SL[[PUN [OL SP[[SL RPK PUZPKL `V\ LUQV` [OL TLTVYPLZ" [OLU SL[ [OL LJV JVUZJPV\Z KLZPNULY in you emerge. It’s time to transform yourself from a mere yard keeper to a steward of Above is just one example of

the planet.

colorful, water conserving, eco-friendly curb appeal.

Scan this code to connect with us online for more ideas and how-to guides, and tip sheets at KissYourGrassGoodbye.com

8

The New American Front Yard: Kiss Your Grass Goodbye

Chapter 1

INTERVENTION!

KICK YOUR GRASS ADDICTION

A lawn is nature under totalitarian rule. — Michael Pollan

Chapter 1 Intervention: Kick Your Grass Addiction

9

I

loved spending summers in my front yard, sitting on the lawn under the cool shade of the large trees that lined the street. The house I grew up in sat on a corner, at least thirty feet from the sidewalk, with a lawn that wrapped around the front and side of

the house. We often used the space to play games with the neighborhood children: Red Rover, kickball, and tag. One of my fondest memories of summer is lying on my back in [OL JVVS NYHZZ HUK SVVRPUN \W H[ [OL JSV\K ZOHWLZ ÅVH[PUN I` 0U [OL KPZ[HUJL 0 JV\SK OLHY the hum of a neighbor’s mower and smell the freshly cut grass wafting through the air.

Confessions of a Turf-aholic 0 JVUMLZZ [OH[ P[ ^HZ H[ ÄYZ[ KPMÄJ\S[ MVY TL [V SL[ NV VM T` H[[HJOTLU[ [V T` MYVU[ SH^U because of those fond childhood memories. Nostalgic feelings can be deeply-rooted in our psyche and hinder us from reinventing our front yards into more eco-friendly designs. So let’s acknowledge the obvious: grass is pretty. It feels nice and smells good when freshly cut. It can, in fact, be addicting. As is true with any addiction, no change JHU VJJ\Y \U[PS [OLYL PZ H KLZPYL MVY JOHUNL :V ÄYZ[ SL[»Z JVUZPKLY [OL OPZ[VY` VM [OL NYLH[ American lawn-scape and how we became a turf worshipping culture.

A History of Field Envy and Lawn Addiction In the United States, the idyllic vision of “home” includes a lush, green front lawn with ULH[S` JSPWWLK OLKNLZ H [YLL VY [^V MVY ZOHKL HUK H ZWSHZO VM I\SIZ VY ÅV^LYWV[Z MVY color. This “ideal” is so ingrained in American culture that the vast green lawn continues to dominate the landscape despite copious evidence of its destructive effects. Historically, the aristocracy of Europe used serfs to produce food so they could afford to leave their fallow land to turn into vast carpets of green opulence. This overt display of [OLPY ^LHS[O HUK S\_\YPV\Z SPMLZ[`SL WYV]PKLK H ZLJ\YP[` [HJ[PJ HZ ^LSS 6]LY H NYLH[ ÄLSK VM turf, these open vistas allowed a clear view of oncoming attackers, whether large animals, highwaymen, or rival armies. A ‘Great Green Lawn’ implied wealth, safety from attack, and dominance over the thicket of the forest. In the 1700s and 1800s, pleasure and sporting activities such as lawn bowling, golf, polo, and croquet—once the exclusive domain of the gentry—were taken up by the leisure class. The garden style that emerged in England during the 1700s, with large 10

The New American Front Yard: Kiss Your Grass Goodbye

grass lawns in front of mansions and the pastoral “greenswards” green turf and trees. True to its European ancestry, the American elite took a strong interest in golf and lawn bowling. However, the only lawn mowers at that time were grass-eating livestock or a bevy of servants armed with sickles. While not terribly attractive,

© Elpis Ioannidis, shutterstock.com

of open meadows, further romanticized the broad expanse of

both were eco-friendly but labor intensive and expensive. Frederick Law Olmsted, considered the “Father of Landscape Architecture” in the mid 1800s, not only designed many classic urban parks, including New York City’s Central Park (with architect Calvert Vaux), but also brought a new aesthetic to urban residential neighborhoods with gently meandering streets and ample parkways lined with green grass. The well-to-do enjoyed a neighborhood that showcased a park-like setting and lush green lawns. In the early twentieth century, the American Golf Association, after decades of developing a multi-continental hybrid grass strain with the US Department of Agriculture (your tax dollars at work!), turned

English Country Estate:

their sights on making lawn the new “must have” item. The

The classic Pastoral setting,

bucolic and functional front gardens of the previous 100 years

cattle grazing on green fields,

were supplanted (sorry, I couldn’t resist) by a decorative lawn.

inspired large expanses of mowed

© wsfurlan, istockphoto.com

turf in affluent estates.

For history and linguistic buffs, the word lawn comes from the Middle English word “launde,“ meaning a glade or opening in the trees. Chapter 1 Intervention: Kick Your Grass Addiction

11

The Evolution of a Turf Hybrid

Then, ta-da! American technology came to the rescue. Two labor-saving inventions of the late nineteenth century, the garden hose and the rotary push mower, made maintaining a well “manicured” lawn a feasible landscape for the one-plot lord and his mower-pushing

The traditional American

offspring. These devices made it possible to give the common folk what the wealthy had

lawn —the most popular

been hoarding for centuries: the long-coveted front lawn. With this green status symbol

brand known is Kentucky

now a viable option, the American Garden Club joined its social counterpart—golfers—

Bluegrass— a forced

and further encouraged the adoption of lawn, breaking down the social barriers and making lawn a hallmark of American status.1

breed cultivated mutant

But the coup de gras came in post WWII Long Island, New York. A developer named

that combines African

Abraham Levitt and his sons installed lawns as foundation landscapes in their mid-

Bermuda grass, bluegrass

level, upscale housing subdivisions. These so-called Levittowns became the sociological

from Europe, and a mix

standard for housing developments, and turf achieved its place as the landscape icon of HMÅ\LU[ (TLYPJHU OVTLZ :PUJL [OH[ [PTL ^L OH]L ILJVTL H ZVJPL[` HKKPJ[LK [V NYHZZ

of Fescues and bentgrass.

and know-how to create this Frankenplant that we prize so highly today. © Bettmann/CORBIS

To consider the sheer magnitude of lawn’s evolution, consider the intensive focus

Levittowns throughout the US displayed a homogenous neighborhood character: front lawn with a few shrubs around the house. The American ideal.

and energy devoted to another single purposed

Today, a multi-billion dollar industry has bloomed from our subservience to lawn, and it is now deeply rooted in American business. Whether using gas-powered or

product: the atomic

electrical gardening equipment or petrochemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides

bomb, which took only

to nurture this weak, water-greedy, non-native hybrid grass, Americans spend billions

four years to develop. © Laura Glickstein, shutterstock.com

12

to maintain the “perfect” green carpet. A tribute to science and engineering rather than a prize of nature, these hybrid lawns would never have evolved naturally. However, they now dominate the landscape, requiring manufacturing and energy resources on a massive scale to create them and keep them alive. When one is compelled to drain

The New American Front Yard: Kiss Your Grass Goodbye Kentucky Blue Grass

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levittown,_Pennsylvania

It took 15 years of time

resources to maintain a habit that is inherently unhealthy, it is, I` KLÄUP[PVU an addiction. Our lawn addiction has been fostered over a long period of human enterprise. Only when we can recognize that there HYL V[OLY H]LU\LZ [V M\SÄSS [OL KLZPYL MVY Z[H[\Z ^LHS[O HUK greater leisure will green progress be assured.

Common Fears Now that you have a better understanding of the origins of America’s lawn addiction, we come to another issue: fear. I’ve already mentioned the environmental problems associated with a manicured front lawn. Now, let’s take an honest look at the concerns many people share when they consider replacing their lawn. Messiness—“But I like how neat and clean my front lawn looks,” clients tell me. Granted, a green, park-like front yard does evoke feelings of serenity and calmness, and many non-turf yards look busy, overgrown, and messy. I will show you how to create a new look [OH[ YLÅLJ[Z `V\Y WLYZVUHS [HZ[L HUK JVTWSLTLU[Z the architectural style of your house—a new fashion statement, if you will, for your front yard. Maintenance—Do you maintain your own yard? If you do, then you’ll probably agree that constantly mowing and trimming the lawn and shaping your shrubs is a bothersome chore. Or you may take the easier but more costly route of hiring one of the many “mow, blow, and go” maintenance companies to care for your lawn. But why not save that fee, as well as water and money spent on fertilizers, pesticides, and

New and older neighborhoods

weed killers, by shifting your approach away from

throughout the country continue to

those frequent efforts? “What about the weeds?” you

display this lawn-scape, park-like

ask. They do not have to take over your yard, and you

character with acres of mowed turf. Chapter 1 Intervention: Kick Your Grass Addiction

13

do not need massive quantities of herbicides to

alternatives that will preserve the carpet effect

keep your garden looking neat and presentable.

while offering the same soft surface to soothe

I will give you easy tips and techniques to make

your senses.

your life easier.

14

Labor—How much work is involved, and do I really

Usefulness—Some people say, “But, Sarah, I like to

have the time and energy to tackle this project?

play outside with my kids and dogs on the lawn.”

If this is your concern, you are not alone. Many

Others remark, “We enjoy sitting on our lawn

homeowners—whether due to age, schedule, or

chairs.” My reply: “Do you need to do these

both—are not inclined to risk back pain, sunburn,

activities on your front lawn, or can you enjoy

and the loss of all their free time because they’re

the grass in your back yard?”

laboring in the yard. Not to worry. An easy-

If your front yard is your only available place for

care yard is possible, practical, affordable, and

a truly usable lawn, giving it up feels like a bigger

attractive. You can even plant over your existing

ZHJYPÄJL .P]LU [OH[ ZP[\H[PVU JV\SK `V\ YLK\JL

lawn.

the amount of lawn and retain a useful space?

Cost—What is this all going to cost? “If I can’t

Could you change the front lawn to a surface that

do the work myself, how much will it cost to

you can still enjoy with your lawn chairs, perhaps

hire someone else to do it?” I’ve heard some

a soft groundcover that will hold up to some

homeowners say they’d rather remodel their

MVV[ [YHMÄJ VY ÅHNZ[VULZ ^P[O ZVTL SV^ NYV^PUN

kitchen than put that amount of money into the

plants between the cracks that would feel soft on

garden. If that is your concern, rest assured there

your toes?

are reasonable options for you, too. It does not

Feel—Turf always feels cool, as it should, given its

have to cost a fortune to have a new, colorful

copious consumption of water. We use turf as

garden. I will guide you along the way so you do

a comfortable outdoor carpet, and some folks

not faint from sticker shock. Remember, you can

enjoy lying on the grass or relish its sensation

phase your garden installation and spread the

underfoot. I realize you wouldn’t want to lie

cost and effort over several months or seasons.

down on gravel or prickly groundcover, but the

Bottom line—People hesitate to exchange the

soft texture of grass can be mimicked with many

familiar for the unfamiliar. Let me show you some

easy-to-maintain, low-water-using, and fragrant

examples of lovely, water-thrifty landscapes that may

herbal substitutes. I will discuss numerous turf

change your mind.

The New American Front Yard: Kiss Your Grass Goodbye

Xeriscape does not mean “Zero-Scape!” “Xeriscape” is made up of two root words: “xeros,” meaning “dry,” and “scape,” referring to the land. The Denver, Colorado water department, Denver Water, is credited with coining the term in the mid-1980’s and continues to provide excellent information

and

Visit

website

their

resources at

for

their

region.

coloradowaterwise.org/

XeriscapeColorado to learn more. Many people cringe at the word “xeriscape,” envisioning gravel, cactus, and other plants that prick you as you stumble by on sore bare feet. The key is to learn how to reinvent your yard space so it has a look and feel that meshes with your personal taste and lifestyle. The process outlined in this book will lead you step-by-step through these decisions, and, at the same time, show you how to make your yard environmentally friendly.

Top: While not my favorite choice, some homeowners like decorative gravel and lava rock as a water conserving, low maintenance lawn substitute.

The middle and bottom photos show cobbled front yards which artistically reflect their Rocky Mountain settings, however, many would find the absence of planting sterile and foreboding.

Chapter 1 Intervention: Kick Your Grass Addiction

15

Captivating Curb Appeal These examples show a variety of water conserving and ecofriendly front yards. In subsequent chapters, I will outline how to utilize color, texture, structures, and materials to create an attractive and welcoming design with dazzling curb appeal.

16

The New American Front Yard: Kiss Your Grass Goodbye

Chapter 1 Intervention: Kick Your Grass Addiction

17

18

The New American Front Yard: Kiss Your Grass Goodbye

Chapter 1 Intervention: Kick Your Grass Addiction

19

GLOSSARY Aerobic. ( JVUKP[PVU PU ZVPS VY ^H[LY ^OLYL V_`NLU PZ WYLZLU[ HUK H]HPSHISL [V SP]PUN VYNHUPZTZ PUJS\KPUN ILULÄJPHS TPJYVVYNHUPZTZ HUK WSHU[ YVV[Z (LYVIPJ JVUKP[PVUZ HYL LZZLU[PHS MVY H OLHS[O` ZVPS MVVK ^LI Anaerobic. ( JVUKP[PVU PU ZVPS VY ^H[LY ^OLYL V_`NLU PZ UV[ WYLZLU[ HUK H]HPSHISL [V VYNHUPZTZ 0U [OL ZVPS MVVK ^LI [OPZ JVUKP[PVU PZ VM[LU MH]VYHISL MVY [OL NYV^[O VM ZWLJPLZ VM IHJ[LYPH HUK M\UNP [OH[ JHU OHYT ILULÄJPHS TPJYVVYNHUPZTZ HUK WSHU[ YVV[Z Anti-Siphon Valve. ( JVU[YVS ]HS]L ^P[O H I\PS[ PU H[TVZWOLYPJ ]HJ\\T IYLHRLY IHJRÃ…V^ WYL]LU[LY 4VZ[ JVTTVUS` \ZLK PU YLZPKLU[PHS PYYPNH[PVU Z`Z[LTZ Azimuth. ( OVYPaVU[HS TLHZ\YLTLU[ PUKPJH[PUN [OL HUNSL VM KL]PH[PVU PU KLNYLLZ MYVT H Z[HUKHYK ILHYPUN KPYLJ[PVU Z\JO HZ UVY[O VY ZV\[O )HJRÃ…V^ 7YL]LU[PVU +L]PJL ( ZHML[` KL]PJL \ZLK [V WYL]LU[ [OL YL]LYZL Ã…V^ VM ^H[LY MYVT HU PYYPNH[PVU Z`Z[LT IHJR PU[V H WV[HISL ^H[LY Z\WWS` SPUL Ball Valve. ( ^H[LY JVU[YVS ]HS]L HUK LTLYNLUJ` ZO\[ VMM ]HS]L [OH[ \ZLZ H YV[H[PUN IHSS ^P[O H OVSL [OYV\NO [OL JLU[LY VM P[ ;OL OVSL HSPNULK PU [OL VWLU WVZP[PVU HSSV^Z MVY MYPJ[PVUSLZZ ^H[LY Ã…V^Z [OYV\NO [OL ]HS]L *SVZLK [OL IHSS PZ YV[H[LK ZV [OL OVSL PZ JVTWSL[LS` ISVJRLK HUK [OL Ã…V^ PZ ZO\[ VMM Best Management Practices. 9LMLYZ [V H ]HYPL[` VM TH[LYPHSZ HUK TL[OVKZ PUJS\KPUN JVTWVZ[ ZVJRZ ZPS[ MLUJLZ HUK Z[YH^ ^H[[SLZ \[PSPaLK [V RLLW ZLKPTLU[ HUK WV[LU[PHS WVSS\[HU[Z VU H JVUZ[Y\J[PVU ZP[L HUK WYV[LJ[ KV^UZ[YLHT ^H[LY X\HSP[` Bioassay. ( SHIVYH[VY` HUHS`ZPZ [OH[ KL[LYTPULZ [OL JVTWVZP[PVU JVUJLU[YH[PVU HUK IPVSVNPJHS HJ[P]P[` VM SP]PUN VYNHUPZTZ PU [OL ZVPS ( RL` JVTWVULU[ VM H ZVPS MVVK ^LI HWWYVHJO [V THUHNPUN ZVPS HUK \S[PTH[LS` WSHU[ OLHS[O Biocompatible. 0U YLSH[PVU [V NYL`^H[LY \ZL HUK NHYKLUPUN YLMLYZ [V SH\UKY` KL[LYNLU[Z HUK IH[O ZVHWZ [OH[ ^PSS UV[ OHYT WSHU[ OLHS[O VY [OL ZVPS MVVK ^LI ^OLU \ZLK MVY PYYPNH[PVU PUJS\KPUN WYVK\J[Z ^P[OV\[ ZHS[ ZHS[ JVTWV\UKZ VY IVYVU :LL! NYL`^H[LYHJ[PVU VYN Biodegradable Plastics. 7YVK\J[Z Z\JO HZ LH[PUN \[LUZPSZ MVVK JVU[HPULYZ HUK JVTWVZ[HISL IHNZ [OH[ JHU IL JVU]LY[LK PU[V ^H[LY JHYIVU KPV_PKL HUK UVU [V_PJ IPVTHZZ I` [OL IPVSVNPJ HJ[PVU VM TPJYVVYNHUPZTZ 7YVK\J[Z SHILSLK ^P[O [OL )PVKLNYHKHISL 7YVK\J[Z 0UZ[P[\[L SVNV TLHU [OL`»]L ILLU JLY[PÄLK [V TLL[ Z[YPJ[ Z[HUKHYKZ 5V[L [OH[ IPVKLNYHKHISL WSHZ[PJZ T\Z[ IL WYVJLZZLK HLYVIPJHSS` PU H JVTWVZ[PUN MHJPSP[` HUK UV[ ZLU[ [V H SHUKÄSS VY YLJ`JSPUN MHJPSP[`

Glossary

297

Carbon Sequestration. ;OL JHW[\YL HUK SVUN [LYT Z[VYHNL VM H[TVZWOLYPJ JHYIVU KPV_PKL *6 Climate Change. 9LMLYZ [V HS[LYH[PVUZ PU [OL LHY[O»Z WYLJPWP[H[PVU WH[[LYUZ HUK ZLHZVUHS [LTWLYH[\YLZ YLK\J[PVU PU NSVIHS PJL JV]LY HUK V[OLY SHYNL ZJHSL JSPTH[L ZOPM[Z HZ H YLZ\S[ VM O\THU HJ[P]P[PLZ [OH[ PUJYLHZL [OL HJJ\T\SH[PVU VM NYLLUOV\ZL NHZLZ PU [OL LHY[O»Z H[TVZWOLYL PUJS\KPUN I\YUPUN VM MVZZPS M\LSZ HUK KLMVYLZ[H[PVU ^OPJO YLSLHZL Z[VYLK JHYIVU PU [OL MVYT VM *6 Compost. ;OL WYVK\J[ YLZ\S[PUN MYVT [OL JVU[YVSSLK IPVSVNPJHS KLJVTWVZP[PVU VM VYNHUPJ TH[LYPHS [OH[ OHZ ILLU ZHUP[PaLK [OYV\NO [OL NLULYH[PVU VM OLH[ HUK Z[HIPSPaLK [V [OL WVPU[ [OH[ P[ PZ ILULÄJPHS [V WSHU[ NYV^[O *VTWVZ[ PZ HU VYNHUPJ TH[[LY YLZV\YJL [OH[ OHZ [OL \UPX\L HIPSP[` [V PTWYV]L [OL JOLTPJHS WO`ZPJHS HUK IPVSVNPJHS JOHYHJ[LYPZ[PJZ VM ZVPSZ VY NYV^PUN TLKPH :V\YJL! <: *VTWVZ[PUN *V\UJPS Compost Tea. *VTWVZ[ [LH KPMMLYZ MYVT JVTWVZ[ L_[YHJ[ VY THU\YL [LH PU [OH[ PZ IYL^LK \ZPUN HU HLYH[PVU WYVJLZZ [V LUJV\YHNL [OL NYV^[O VM IPSSPVUZ VM ILULÄJPHS TPJYVVYNHUPZTZ (UHLYVIPJ L_[YHJ[Z TH` JVU[HPU OHYTM\S SL]LSZ VM IHJ[LYPH WH[OVNLUZ HUK OPNO SL]LSZ VM UP[YH[LZ HUK ZHS[Z Covenants. 3LNHS HNYLLTLU[Z IL[^LLU TLTILY OVTLV^ULYZ HUK H /VTLV^ULYZ»(ZZVJPH[PVU /6( TVYL JVTTVUS` RUV^U HZ ** 9»Z *V]LUHU[Z *VUKP[PVUZ HUK 9LZ[YPJ[PVUZ [OH[ VM[LU KPJ[H[L YLX\PYLTLU[Z HUK YLZ[YPJ[PVUZ \WVU HU PUKP]PK\HS V^ULY»Z WYVWLY[` Cradle to Cradle. ( [LYT ÄYZ[ JVPULK I` >HS[LY 9 :[HOLS HUK M\Y[OLY L_HTPULK PU Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things I` >PSSPHT 4J+VUV\NO HUK +Y 4PJOHLS )YH\UNHY[ HWWYVHJOLZ THU\MHJ[\YPUN HZ H JSVZLK SVVW Z`Z[LT ^OLYL HSS ¸^HZ[L¹ WYVK\J[Z ILJVTL YH^ TH[LYPHS MVY V[OLY \ZLZ ;OL *YHKSL [V *YHKSL 7YVK\J[Z 0UUV]H[PVU 0UZ[P[\[L OHZ JYLH[LK H ]LYPÄLK YH[PUN Z`Z[LT MVY HZZLZZPUN HUK JVUZ[HU[S` PTWYV]PUN WYVK\J[Z IHZLK VU Ä]L JH[LNVYPLZ ¶YLUL^HISL LULYN` JSLHU ^H[LY TH[LYPHS OLHS[O ZVJPHS YLZWVUZPIPSP[` HUK TH[LYPHS YL\[PSPaH[PVU +YV\NO[ *SPTH[PJ JVUKP[PVU PU ^OPJO WYLJPWP[H[PVU HUK Y\UVMM HYL T\JO SV^LY [OHU UVYTHS ZLHZVUHS WH[[LYUZ YLZ\S[PUN PU ZPNUPÄJHU[S` YLK\JLK ^H[LY Z\WWSPLZ MVY OVTL SHUKZJHWL HUK JVTTLYJPHS \ZL +YV\NO[ ;VSLYHU[ 9LMLYLUJL [V WSHU[Z [OH[ JHU [VSLYH[L SPTP[LK HTV\U[Z VM YHPUMHSS HUK VY PYYPNH[PVU Eco-Footprint. ( TLHZ\YL VM O\THU KLTHUK VU [OL LHY[O»Z LJVZ`Z[LTZ PUJS\KPUN YH[LZ VM JVUZ\TW[PVU VM UH[\YHS YLZV\YJLZ HUK ^HZ[L NLULYH[PVU 6M[LU TLHZ\YLK PU [LYTZ VM [OL U\TILY VM LHY[O LX\P]HSLU[Z [OH[ ^V\SK IL YLX\PYLK [V SP]L [OL ZWLJPÄJ SPMLZ[`SL VM [OL PUKP]PK\HS SPMLZ[`SL Z ILPUN TLHZ\YLK Embodied Energy. ;OL Z\T [V[HS VM [OL WO`ZPJHS HUK TLJOHUPJHS LULYN` JVUZ\TLK I` [OL WYVJLZZLZ HZZVJPH[LK ^P[O [OL WYVK\J[PVU VM H I\PSKPUN VY WYVK\J[ PUJS\KPUN [OL TPUPUN HUK WYVJLZZPUN VM YH^ TH[LYPHSZ THU\MHJ[\YPUN [YHUZWVY[ HUK WYVK\J[ KLSP]LY` Emitter. ( KYPW PYYPNH[PVU Z`Z[LT Ä[[PUN [OH[ KLSP]LYZ ^H[LY [V WSHU[Z H[ [OL YVV[IHSS H[ H ZSV^ HUK WYLKPJ[HISL YH[L Environment. ;OL Z\T VM HSS L_[LYUHS PUÃ…\LUJLZ HUK JVUKP[PVUZ HMMLJ[PUN [OL SPML HUK KL]LSVWTLU[ VM HU VYNHUPZT VY LJVSVNPJHS JVTT\UP[` Equinox 4HYRLY MVY [OL ZLHZVUZ :WYPUN HUK -HSS ^OLYL [OL WVZP[PVUZ VM [OL Z\U HUK LHY[O YLZ\S[ PU HU LX\HS WYVWVY[PVU VM KH`SPNO[ VU IV[O OLTPZWOLYLZ

298

Glossary

Erosion. ;OL ^LHYPUN H^H` HUK [YHUZWVY[ VM ZVPS WHY[PJSLZ MYVT Y\UUPUN ^H[LY ^H]LZ VY ^PUK Estuary. ( ^H[LY IVK` [OH[ ZLY]LZ HZ H [YHUZP[PVU aVUL IL[^LLU MYLZO^H[LY YP]LYZ Z[YLHTZ HUK VJLHU LU]PYVUTLU[Z ;OL ]HYPH[PVU PU ^H[LY ZHSPUP[` HUK HI\UKHU[ U\[YPLU[Z MYVT [PKHS PUÃ…V^ HUK V\[Ã…V^ THRLZ [OLZL ZLUZP[P]L OHIP[H[Z HTVUN [OL TVZ[ WYVK\J[P]L Exudate. (U` Ã…\PK ZLJYL[PVU [OH[ LTLYNLZ MYVT [OL JPYJ\SH[VY` Z`Z[LT VM WSHU[Z VY HUPTHSZ ,_\KH[LZ MYVT WSHU[ YVV[Z H[[YHJ[ ILULÄJPHS M\UNP IHJ[LYPH HUK ULTH[VKLZ PU [OL ZVPS MVVK ^LI ^OV PU [\YU WYV[LJ[ [OL YVV[ MYVT WYLKH[VY` TPJYVVYNHUPZTZ HUK VY KLSP]LY U\[YP[PVU [V [OL WSHU[ Fertigation. ;OL HWWSPJH[PVU VM ^H[LY ZVS\ISL MLY[PSPaLYZ VY ZVPS HTLUKTLU[Z [OYV\NO HU PYYPNH[PVU Z`Z[LT Flow Rate. ;OL HTV\U[ VM ^H[LY TV]PUN [OYV\NO H WPWL Ä_[\YL VY Z[YLHT JVTTVUS` TLHZ\YLK PU NHSSVUZ WLY TPU\[L NWT VY J\IPJ MLL[ WLY ZLJVUK JMZ Fungicides. ( ZWLJPÄJ WLZ[PJPKL KLZPNULK [V JVU[YVS M\UNHS KPZLHZLZ PU WSHU[Z HUK HUPTHSZ I` RPSSPUN VY PUOPIP[PUN [OL M\UN\Z JH\ZPUN [OL KPZLHZL Greenhouse Gases. ,SLTLU[Z PU [OL H[TVZWOLYL PU NHZLV\Z MVYT PUJS\KPUN JHYIVU KPV_PKL TL[OHUL ^H[LY ]HWVY UP[YV\Z V_PKL HUK VaVUL [OH[ VJJ\Y UH[\YHSS` HUK HZ H YLZ\S[ VM O\THU HJ[P]P[` ;OLZL NYLLUOV\ZL NHZLZ ./. [YHW OLH[ LTP[[LK MYVT [OL LHY[O»Z Z\YMHJL HUK YLN\SH[L [OL LHY[O»Z [LTWLYH[\YL Greywater. +PZJOHYNLK \U[YLH[LK ^HZ[L ^H[LY MYVT SH\UKY` KPZO^HZOPUN VY IH[OPUN HJ[P]P[PLZ [OH[ JHU IL KP]LY[LK MYVT [OL ZL^LY HUK \[PSPaLK MVY V\[KVVY WSHU[ PYYPNH[PVU .YL`^H[LY JHUUV[ PUJS\KL HU` ^HZ[L^H[LY MYVT [VPSL[Z RP[JOLU ZPURZ KPZO^HZOLYZ VY MYVT ^HZOPUN THJOPULZ SH\UKLYPUN ZVPSLK KPHWLYZ 9LMLY [V SVJHS JVKLZ MVY ZWLJPÄJ HSSV^HUJLZ HUK YLZ[YPJ[PVUZ Habitat. 3H[PU MVY ¸P[ PUOHIP[Z ¹ ;OL HYLH VY LU]PYVUTLU[ ^OLYL HU VYNHUPZT VY LJVSVNPJHS JVTT\UP[` UVYTHSS` SP]LZ VY VJJ\YZ Hardscape. ;OL UVU SP]PUN JVTWVULU[Z VM H SHUKZJHWL PUJS\KPUN WH]PUN ^HSSZ HUK Z[Y\J[\YLZ Herbicides ( JSHZZ VM THU\MHJ[\YLK JOLTPJHSZ WYVK\J[Z \ZLK [V RPSS \U^HU[LK WSHU[Z HSZV RUV^U HZ ^LLKRPSSLYZ Hydrozoning. ( SHUKZJHWL WYHJ[PJL [OH[ NYV\WZ WSHU[Z ^P[O ZPTPSHY L_WVZ\YL ZVPS WYLMLYLUJLZ HUK ^H[LY YLX\PYLTLU[Z [VNL[OLY PU HU LMMVY[ [V JVUZLY]L ^H[LY HUK TH_PTPaL WSHU[ OLHS[O Inert (ingredients). *OLTPJHSZ PU H MVYT\SH UV[ KPYLJ[S` YLSH[LK [V [OL WYVK\J[ [HZR (JJVYKPUN [V [OL ,7( PULY[ WYVK\J[Z HYL UV[ HS^H`Z UVU [V_PJ Integrated Pest Management. ( OVSPZ[PJ HWWYVHJO [V THUHNPUN PUZLJ[Z WSHU[ KPZLHZLZ ^LLKZ HUK V[OLY WLZ[Z ZV [OH[ [OLPY WVW\SH[PVUZ KV UV[ L_JLLK H [VSLYHISL SL]LS I` MVZ[LYPUN HU LU]PYVUTLU[ [OH[ PZ MH]VYHISL MVY KLZPYHISL WSHU[Z HUK ILULÄJPHS VYNHUPZTZ 0M WLZ[ WYVISLTZ HYPZL H ]HYPL[` VM THU\HS HUK TLJOHUPJHS JVU[YVS [LJOUPX\LZ HYL JVUZPKLYLK ÄYZ[ ^P[O [OL SLHZ[ [V_PJ WLZ[PJPKLZ ILPUN HWWSPLK HZ H SHZ[ YLZVY[ Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) ( Z`Z[LTZ HWWYVHJO [V L]HS\H[PUN [OL LU]PYVUTLU[HS JVUZLX\LUJLZ VM H WHY[PJ\SHY WYVK\J[ WYVJLZZ VY HJ[P]P[` MYVT ¸JYHKSL [V NYH]L¹ I` L]HS\H[PUN [OL LU[PYL SPML J`JSL VM H WYVK\J[ MYVT L_[YHJ[PVU HUK WYVJLZZPUN VM YH^ TH[LYPHSZ [OYV\NO THU\MHJ[\YPUN [YHUZWVY[H[PVU HUK ÄUHS KPZWVZHS

Glossary

299

Microclimate. ( aVUL ^OLYL [OL SVJHSPaLK JSPTH[L ]HYPLZ MYVT [OL Z\YYV\UKPUN HYLH 0U [OL NHYKLU TPJYVJSPTH[LZ JHU IL JYLH[LK I` YLÃ…LJ[LK OLH[ MYVT HKQHJLU[ ^HSSZ ZOLS[LY MYVT VY L_WVZ\YL [V WYL]HPSPUN ^PUKZ Z\U ZOHKL WH[[LYUZ HUK HZWLJ[ [OL KPYLJ[PVU H ZSVWL MHJLZ Mulch (U` TH[LYPHS \ZLK [V JV]LY [OL ZVPS [V TPUPTPaL JVTWHJ[PVU HUK LYVZPVU YLK\JL ^LLK NYV^[O JVUZLY]L ZVPS TVPZ[\YL HUK PUJYLHZL HLZ[OL[PJZ >VVK JOPWZ MYVT NYV\UK \W [YLL [YPTTPUNZ KLJVYH[P]L [\TISLK NSHZZ J\SSL[ HNYPJ\S[\YHS ^HZ[L Z\JO HZ NYHWL ZLLKZ HUK WLHJO WP[Z HYL HSS L_HTWSLZ VM YLJ`JSLK LHY[O MYPLUKS` TH[LYPHSZ Mycorrhizal Fungi (MF) ( Z`TIPV[PJ VYNHUPZT WHY[ VM [OL ZVPS MVVK ^LI ^OPJO VJJ\WPLZ [OL YVV[ Z`Z[LTZ VM HWWYV_PTH[LS` VM HSS WSHU[Z 4- HIZVYI JHYIVO`KYH[LZ MYVT [OL YVV[Z HUK PU YL[\YU PTWYV]L ^H[LY HUK TPULYHS HIZVYW[PVU I` [OL WSHU[ ;OLZL HYL VM[LU KLZ[YV`LK I` YV[V[PSSPUN HUK JOLTPJHS M\UNPJPKLZ ^OPJO Z[LYPSPaL [OL ZVPS Organic (Non-Synthetic) Fertilizers. 4H[LYPHSZ KLYP]LK MYVT WSHU[ HUK HUPTHS WHY[Z VY YLZPK\LZ ,_HTWSLZ PUJS\KL ISVVK TLHS JVTWVZ[ IH[ N\HUV THU\YL ZLH^LLK HUK ^VYT JHZ[PUNZ Permeable Paving. 7H]PUN TH[LYPHSZ PUJS\KPUN WVYV\Z JVUJYL[L HUK HZWOHS[ NYH]LS ÄULZ HUK [YHMÄJ [VSLYHU[ WSHU[PUN ^OPJO HSSV^ ^H[LY [V WLYJVSH[L PU[V [OL Z\I IHZL VY Z\IZVPS YLK\JPUN VY LSPTPUH[PUN Y\UVMM Pesticide. :\IZ[HUJL VY TP_[\YL PU[LUKLK MVY WYL]LU[PUN KLZ[YV`PUN YLWLSSPUN VY TP[PNH[PUN H WLZ[ PUJS\KPUN PUZLJ[PJPKLZ OLYIPJPKLZ HUK M\UNPJPKLZ Peak Oil ;OL [LYT ÄYZ[ PU[YVK\JLK I` 4 2PUN /\IILY[ PU [OL TPK »Z YLMLYZ [V [OL WVPU[ PU [PTL ^OLU [OL TH_PT\T YH[L VM WL[YVSL\T L_[YHJ[PVU PZ YLHJOLK HM[LY ^OPJO [OL YH[L VM WYVK\J[PVU KLJSPULZ HUK JVZ[Z VM JVU[PU\LK L_[YHJ[PVU PUJYLHZL Photodegradable. 4H[LYPHSZ ^OPJO IYLHRKV^U PU[V ZTHSSLY \UP[Z I` L_WVZ\YL [V [OL \S[YH]PVSL[ YH`Z WYLZLU[ PU Z\USPNO[ +PMMLYZ MYVT IPVKLNYHKHISL TH[LYPHSZ PU [OH[ [OL ZTHSSLY WHY[PJSLZ VM[LU WLYZPZ[ PU [OL LU]PYVUTLU[ HUK KV UV[ IYLHR KV^U PU[V OHYTSLZZ VYNHUPJ JVTWV\UKZ Phytoremediation. ;OL WYVJLZZ VM \ZPUN WSHU[Z [V HIZVYI VY \W[HRL ]HYPV\Z WVSS\[HU[Z PU WSHU[ [PZZ\LZ PUJS\KPUN TL[HSZ WLZ[PJPKLZ HUK WL[YVSL\T WYVK\J[Z ^OLYL [OL` HYL JVU[HPULK KLNYHKLK VY YLUKLYLK OHYTSLZZ +LYP]LK MYVT [OL YVV[ ^VYKZ ¸WO`[V¹ WSHU[Z HUK ¸YLTLKP\T¹ YLZ[VYPUN IHSHUJL Rain Sensor. ( KL]PJL JVUULJ[LK [V HU PYYPNH[PVU JVU[YVSSLY [OH[ YLN\SH[LZ VY ZO\[Z VMM [OL PYYPNH[PVU Z`Z[LT ^OLU P[ KL[LJ[Z Z\MÄJPLU[ WYLJPWP[H[PVU Rainwater Harvesting (RWH). ;OL WYHJ[PJL VM JHW[\YPUN PUÄS[YH[PUN VY \[PSPaPUN YHPUMHSS MYVT YVVMZ JVUZ[Y\J[LK JH[JOTLU[ Z\YMHJLZ HUK KYP]L^H`Z ZPKL^HSRZ WHYRPUN SV[Z HUK Z[YLL[Z 9>/ PZ HU LMMLJ[P]L ^H[LY JVUZLY]H[PVU Z[YH[LN` PU \YIHU HUK Y\YHS HYLHZ HYV\UK [OL NSVIL KLJYLHZPUN \UULJLZZHY` \ZL VM KYPURPUN ^H[LY MVY SHUKZJHWPUN [VPSL[ Ã…\ZOPUN HUK SH\UKY` ^HZOPUN PM SLNHS PU `V\Y HYLH :V\YJL! ^OVSS`O V VYN Recycled water. 4\UPJPWHS ^HZ[L ^H[LY [YLH[LK [V H [LY[PHY` [YLH[TLU[ SL]LS HUK VM[LU \ZLK [V PYYPNH[L SHUKZJHWLZ 4H` IL OPNO PU ZHS[Z YLX\PYPUN JHYLM\S WSHU[ ZLSLJ[PVU HUK TVUP[VYPUN Riparian Zone. ;OL HYLH ^P[OPU HUK VY HKQHJLU[ [V [OL IHUR VM H YP]LY WVUK VY SHRL Riser. =LY[PJHS WPWL [OH[ JVUULJ[Z H KYHPUHNL NYH[L VY PYYPNH[PVU OLHK [V [OL Z\WWS` VY KPZJOHYNL WPWL ILSV^ Root Zone. ;OL HYLH VM ZVPS ^PK[O HUK KLW[O ^OLYL TVZ[ VM [OL WSHU[ YVV[Z HYL SVJH[LK 300

Glossary

Root Flare. (SZV JHSSLK ¸[Y\UR Ã…HYL ¹ ;OL HYLH H[ [OL IHZL VM [OL WSHU[»Z Z[LT VY [Y\UR ^OLYL P[ IYVHKLUZ [V MVYT YVV[Z" [OL HYLH VM [YHUZP[PVU IL[^LLU [OL YVV[ Z`Z[LT HUK [OL Z[LT VY [Y\UR Runoff. ;OL WVY[PVU VM WYLJPWP[H[PVU ZUV^ TLS[ PYYPNH[PVU VY V[OLY ZV\YJL VM ^H[LY [OH[ Ã…V^Z V]LY [OL Z\YMHJL VM [OL NYV\UK L]LU[\HSS` THRPUN P[Z ^H` [V H YLJLP]PUN ^H[LY IVK` Z\JO HZ H Z[YLHT SHRL VY VJLHU Sheet Mulch. ( UVU JOLTPJHS ^LLK Z\WWYLZZPVU [LJOUPX\L [OH[ HSZV I\PSKZ ZVPS Z[Y\J[\YL \ZPUN SH`LYZ VM UVU [V_PJ WHWLY UL^ZWYPU[ VY JHYKIVHYK HUK VYNHUPJ TH[LYPHS Z\JO HZ JVTWVZ[ HUK T\SJO Smart Growth. ( ]PZPVUHY` HWWYVHJO [V KLZPNUPUN JVTT\UP[PLZ ^P[O OV\ZPUN HUK [YHUZWVY[H[PVU JOVPJLZ ULHY QVIZ ZOVWZ HUK ZJOVVSZ ;OL NVHS PZ [V JYLH[L SP]HISL JVTT\UP[PLZ [OH[ Z\WWVY[ SVJHS LJVUVTPLZ HUK WYV[LJ[ [OL LU]PYVUTLU[ :V\YJL! ZTHY[NYV^[OHTLYPJH VYN Soil Amendments. 6YNHUPJ HUK PUVYNHUPJ TH[LYPHSZ [OH[ HYL HKKLK [V ZVPSZ [V PTWYV]L MLY[PSP[` PUÄS[YH[PVU YH[L HUK TVPZ[\YL OVSKPUN JHWHJP[` Soil Food Web. ;OL JVTT\UP[` VM VYNHUPZTZ PUJS\KPUN IHJ[LYPH HSNHL M\UNP WYV[VaVH ULTH[VKLZ TPJYV HY[OYVWVKZ LHY[O^VYTZ PUZLJ[Z ZTHSS ]LY[LIYH[LZ HUK WSHU[Z SP]PUN HSS VY WHY[Z VM [OLPY SP]LZ PU [OL ZVPS ( OLHS[O` ZVPS MVVK ^LI WYV]PKLZ T\S[PWSL LJV Z`Z[LT ILULÄ[Z PUJS\KPUN JSLHU ^H[LY JSLHU HPY OLHS[O` WSHU[Z HUK TVKLYH[LK ^H[LY Ã…V^ Soil Structure. )V[O [OL WO`ZPJHS ZOHWL HUK ZPaL VM [OL WHY[PJSLZ HUK [OL JOLTPJHS JVTWVULU[Z ^OPJO OVSK [OL ZVPS [VNL[OLY PU ]HY`PUN KLNYLLZ VM KLUZP[` JVOLZPVU HUK WVYVZP[` +PMMLYZ MYVT ZVPS [L_[\YL PU [OH[ [OL Z[Y\J[\YHS JOHYHJ[LYPZ[PJZ JHU IL TVKPÄLK Soil Texture. *SHZZPÄJH[PVU VM ZVPS IHZLK VU P[Z PUOLYLU[ WLYJLU[HNL VM ZHUK ZPS[ HUK JSH` WHY[PJSLZ Solstice. ;OL [^V [PTLZ VM [OL `LHY ^OLU [OL Z\U PZ H[ P[Z NYLH[LZ[ KPZ[HUJL MYVT [OL JLSLZ[PHS LX\H[VY HUK [OL Z\U HWWLHYZ H[ [OL OPNOLZ[ VY SV^LZ[ WVPU[ PU [OL ZR` 4HYRZ [OL ILNPUUPUN VM Z\TTLY HUK ^PU[LY ^P[O [OL SVUNLZ[ HUK ZOVY[LZ[ KH`Z VM [OL `LHY YLZWLJ[P]LS` Synthetic Fertilizers. ¸4HU THKL¹ PUVYNHUPJ JVTWV\UKZ \Z\HSS` KLYP]LK MYVT I` WYVK\J[Z VM [OL WL[YVSL\T PUK\Z[Y` ,_HTWSLZ PUJS\KL (TTVUP\T 5P[YH[L (TTVUP\T 7OVZWOH[L :\WLYWOVZWOH[L HUK 7V[HZZP\T :\SMH[L Topsoil. ;VW SH`LY VM [OL ZVPS WYVÄSL JVUZPZ[PUN VM L_PZ[PUN UH[P]L Z\YMHJL [VWZVPS VY L_PZ[PUN PU WSHJL Z\YMHJL ZVPS HUK PZ [OL WYPTHY` aVUL ^OLYL WSHU[ YVV[Z NYV^ Toxic ( Z\IZ[HUJL [OH[ PZ JHWHISL VM WYVK\JPUN PSSULZZ PUQ\Y` VY KHTHNL [V O\THUZ SP]LZ[VJR VY ^PSKSPML [OYV\NO PUNLZ[PVU PUOHSH[PVU VY HIZVYW[PVU Urban Heat Island (UHI). ;OL PUJYLHZL PU HTIPLU[ [LTWLYH[\YLZ L_WLYPLUJLK PU TL[YVWVSP[HU JP[PLZ JVTWHYLK [V Y\YHS HUK \UKL]LSVWLK HYLHZ K\L [V [OL PUJYLHZL VM OHYK PTWLYTLHISL Z\YMHJLZ HUK KLJYLHZLK WLYTLHISL HUK ]LNL[H[LK Z\YMHJLZ *VVS ZP[L KL]LSVWTLU[ [LJOUPX\LZ [OH[ JHU OLSW YLK\JL [OL </0 LMMLJ[ PUJS\KL SPNO[ JVSVYLK WH]PUN WSHU[PUN SHYNL Z[H[\YL [YLLZ [V WYV]PKL TVYL ZOHKL HUK PUZ[HSSPUN ZOHKL Z[Y\J[\YLZ VM[LU ^P[O ZVSHY WHULSZ PU WHYRPUN SV[Z Urbanite. 9LJ`JSLK JVUJYL[L IYVRLU VY ZH^ J\[ PU[V \ZHISL WPLJLZ HUK \ZLK HZ ^HSS VY WH]PUN TH[LYPHS

Glossary

301

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). 6YNHUPJ JVTWV\UKZ [OH[ ]HWVYPaL ILJVTL H NHZ H[ YVVT [LTWLYH[\YL =6*Z HYL [OL SLHKPUN JH\ZL VM NYV\UK SL]LS VaVUL ^OPJO JVU[YPI\[LZ [V HPY WVSS\[PVU ZTVN *VTTVU ZV\YJLZ ^OPJO TH` LTP[ =6*Z PU[V [OL HPY PUJS\KL OV\ZLRLLWPUN HUK THPU[LUHUJL WYVK\J[Z" WHPU[Z JVH[PUNZ HUK PURZ" HUK I\PSKPUN HUK M\YUPZOPUN TH[LYPHSZ 0U Z\MÄJPLU[ X\HU[P[PLZ =6*Z JHU JH\ZL L`L UVZL HUK [OYVH[ PYYP[H[PVUZ OLHKHJOLZ KPaaPULZZ ]PZ\HS KPZVYKLYZ TLTVY` PTWHPYTLU[" ZVTL HYL RUV^U [V JH\ZL JHUJLY PU HUPTHSZ" ZVTL HYL Z\ZWLJ[LK VM JH\ZPUN VY HYL RUV^U [V JH\ZL JHUJLY PU O\THUZ :V\YJL! ,7( Xeriscape 3HUKZJHWPUN WYHJ[PJLZ MVY KY` JSPTH[LZ ¸?LYPZJHWL¹ PZ THKL \W VM [^V YVV[ ^VYKZ! ¸_LYVZ ¹ TLHUPUN ¸KY` ¹ HUK ¸ZJHWL ¹ YLMLYYPUN [V [OL SHUK ;OL +LU]LY *VSVYHKV ^H[LY KLWHY[TLU[ +LU]LY >H[LY PZ JYLKP[LK ^P[O JVPUPUN [OL [LYT PU [OL TPK »Z JVSVYHKV^H[LY^PZL VYN Watershed. ;OL HYLH VM SHUK [OH[ KYHPUZ [V [OL ZHTL YLJLP]PUN IVK` Z\JO HZ H JYLLR Z[YLHT IHZPU SHRL VY YP]LY Wetlands. :LUZP[P]L ^PSKSPML OHIP[H[Z HUK [YHUZP[PVU aVULZ PUJS\KPUN Z^HTWZ THYZOLZ IVNZ HUK ZPTPSHY HYLHZ Z\JO HZ ^L[ TLHKV^Z YP]LY V]LYÃ…V^Z T\K Ã…H[Z HUK UH[\YHS WVUKZ (U HYLH JOHYHJ[LYPaLK I` WLYPVKPJ PU\UKH[PVU VY ZH[\YH[PVU O`KYPJ ZVPSZ HUK ]LNL[H[PVU HKHW[LK MVY SPML PU ^L[ ZVPS JVUKP[PVUZ

302

Glossary

INDEX Photo or illustration page numbers are shown in italics.

A (LYVIPJ (UHLYVIPJ (UU\HSZ 167

B )HSHUJL see +LZPNU 7YPUJPWHSZ )H[Z )LLZ 158, 164 282 )LYTZ 118 142-3, 146 269 )LZ[ 4HUHNLTLU[ 7YHJ[PJLZ )PVJVTWH[PISL )PVKLNYHKHISL )PYKZ 25 259 90 )\KNL[ )\[[LYÃ…PLZ 159

C Climates 4PJYV *OHUNL .SVIHS >HYTPUN AVULZ *VTWVZ[ 67 268 *VTWVZ[ ;LH 252 *VUJYL[L )HUKZ )SVJR 7H]PUN 17 7H]LYZ 7LYTLHISL 17 7LY]PV\Z 7LYTLHISL *VUJYL[L

9LJ`JSLK :HS]HNLK *VUJYL[L :[HPYZ <YIHUP[L 218 >HSSZ *VU[YHJ[VY *HYIVU ZLX\LZ[YH[PVU ]PP *V\Y[`HYK

+ +HYR :R` 0UP[PH[P]L +LJPK\V\Z See also ;YLLZ KLJPK\V\Z +LZPNU 7YVJLZZ )HZL 7SHU )\KNL[PUN 4LHZ\YLTLU[Z 7SHUUPUN GG :RL[JOLZ +LZPNU 7YPUJPWSLZ )HSHUJL *VSVY 88-94 *VTWVZP[PVU -VJHS ,SLTLU[Z 83 3PUL HUK 4V]LTLU[ 84 9O`[OT HUK 7H[[LYU 85, :JHSL HUK 7YVWVY[PVU ;L_[\YL 96-97 <UP[` 86-87 +VN 7HYRZ +YHPUHNL 36 120-21 +YP]L^H` 27 139 141 219, 124

Index

311

E ,HY[O IHZLK TH[LYPHSZ (KVIL *VI 15 7V\YLK ,HY[O 211 15 ,HY[O^VYTZ 38 ,JV MVV[WYPU[ ,KPISL 7SHU[Z 163-65 262 ,TIVKPLK ,ULYN` ,YVZPVU Evergreen 112 174 178. See also Trees, Evergreen

F -LUJLZ 64 70-71 75 81 103 105 106-107 117 122 128 133 150-51 164 204 210 -LUN :O\P -LY[PSPaLYZ 6YNHUPJ -PUHUJPHS 0UJLU[P]LZ -VJHS LSLTLU[Z see +LZPNU 7YPUJPWSLZ -VYLZ[ :[L^HYKZOPW *V\UJPS -:* -\UJ[PVUZ *OLJRSPZ[ -\UN\Z see Mycorrhizal Fungi -\YUPZOPUNZ

G .HYKLU :[`SLZ 55-60 72 4LKP[LYYHULHU 59, 65, 72, 137, 142-43 4VKLYU 5H[\YHS 9VTHU[PJ 55 :V\[O^LZ[ 60, 66, 110-11 Tropical 56 .YHZZ [\YM see SH^U .VSKLU 9H[PV 98-99 .YHZZLZ VYUHTLU[HS 49 79 Groundcovers 86-87 111 31 180 182-84 187

H /HIP[H[ :LUZP[P]L *LY[PÄLK >PSKSPML *YLH[L 61 /HYKZJHWL

312

Index

/HYKPULZZ AVUL 4HW see <:+( /HYKPULZZ AVULZ /LH[ AVUL 4HW /LYIZ 164 263 277 /LYIPJPKLZ /PSSZPKLZ /6( ¶ /VTLV^ULYZ (ZZVJPH[PVU /VTL :[`SLZ (KVIL 66 )\UNHSV^ 63 Colonial 70 Cottage 64 *\Z[VT *VU[LTWVYHY` .LVYNPHU 9L]P]HS 70 4LKP[LYYHULHU 59 65 9HUJO :[`SL 71 :OPUNSL 67 106 Tract homes 72 ;\KVY :[`SL 69, 133, 138 =PJ[VYPHU 68, 128 /\TTPUNIPYKZ 158 /`KYVaVULZ 91

I 0UZLJ[Z 0U[LNYH[LK 7LZ[ 4HUHNLTLU[ 0YYPNH[PVU 7 175 240-243 246 265 )\IISLYZ 244 +YPW 242 245-46 252 269 :WYH` 133 242-44 :\IZ\YMHJL +YPW 247

L 3HUKZJHWL >H[LY >PZL ?LYPZJHWL ]PPP (YJOP[LJ[\YL P_ -YLKYPJR 3H^ 6STZ[LK 3H^U )LYT\KH NYHZZ *VTT\UP[` -LZJ\LZ /PZ[VY` 2LU[\JR` )S\LNYHZZ >H[LY *VUZ\TW[PVU 3H^U (S[LYUH[P]LZ 185

4LHKV^ :LKNL 186 )S\L .YHTTH .YHZZ 186 )\MMHSV .YHZZ 186 +`TVUKPH 187 5V 4V^ [\YM 187 3PML *`JSL (UHS`ZPZ

M 4HZVUY` 211-12, 4HZ[LY 7SHU 147 4H[LYPHSZ [V H]VPK 4LH[ JVUZ\TW[PVU 4L[HS 09 210 4\SJO 57 270 :OLL[ T\SJOPUN 4`JVYYOPaHS -\UNP

N 5H[P]L 7SHU[Z 5\YZLYPLZ

O 6YJOHYK 6\[KVVY 3PNO[PUN 225-27

P 7H[PV 124, 126-27, 142-43, 152-53, 215, 219 7H]PUN 4H[LYPHSZ 216 )YPJR 220, 270 Concrete 141 217 -SHNZ[VUL 123-25 134 139 43 145 149 218 7LYTLHISL JVUJYL[L 217 7YLJHZ[ <UP[ WH]LYZ 123-24 9LJ`JSLK JVUJYL[L 3VVZL 4H[LYPHSZ 221 :VPS JLTLU[ :[LWWPUN Z[VULZ 123 129 134 7LHR 6PS 7LYLUUPHSZ 151 66 194-96 7LYTLHISL 105, 106, 108, 111, 123-24, 188, 199, (NNYLNH[L )HZL 7H]LYZ 7H]PUN 7LZ[PJPKLZ

7L[YVSL\T IHZLK 7YVK\J[Z (ZWOHS[ 7SHZ[PJZ 7SHU[ *OHYHJ[LYPZ[PJZ *VSVY -VYT HUK :OHWL +LUZP[` ;L_[\YL 7SHU[PUN 0UZ[HSSH[PVU 4\SJO 57 :WHJPUN 7SHZ[LY 211 214-15 7SHZ[PJ S\TILY 7VSS\[PVU 7=*

R 9HPU .HYKLUZ 39 9HPU^H[LY /HY]LZ[PUN 9LN\SH[PVUZ 3VJHS JVKLZ HUK VYKPUHUJLZ 9VV[ AVUL 7YV[LJ[PVU VM 234-35 7SHU[PUN HYLH 176, 254-55 9\UVMM 120-21 269

S :HS]HNPUN TH[LYPHSZ 201 204 209 212 220 :JOLK\SL :OLL[ 4\SJOPUN :OY\IZ 130-31 177 :P[L HUHS`ZPZ 45 *SPTH[L aVUL :\U ZOHKL 7H[[LYUZ 42 :VPS (TLUKTLU[Z W/ )PVHZZH` 9PIIVU ;LZ[ ;L_[\YL :VPS -VVK >LI 37 4PJYV VYNHUPZTZ 23 :[LWZ 58, 60, 118, 137, 153, 226 :[LWWPUN :[VULZ 220 Index

313

:[Y\J[\YLZ (YIVYZ 7LYNVSHZ ;YLSSPZLZ >HSSZ See Walls -LUJLZ See Fences :[\JJV 127, 214 :\JJ\SLU[ :\Z[HPUHIPSP[` *YHKSL [V *YHKSL :THY[ .YV^[O

T ;VHK ;YLL Z 174-76 +LJPK\V\Z 129, 146, 169 Evergreen 112 -Y\P[ 63 7Y\UPUN 264 9VV[Z see Root Zone ;\YM (Y[PÄJPHS Turf Grass see 3H^U

U <:+( /HYKPULZZ AVULZ

314

Index

V =LNL[HISLZ 54 277 =PULZ 127 130 181 =PUL`HYK 141

W >HSRPUN WH[OZ 125 >HSSZ 54, 63, 87, 101, 118 >H[LY <ZL See also 9HPU^H[LY OHY]LZ[PUN 0YYPNH[PVU /`KYVaVULZ .YL`^H[LY >H[LYZOLK 120-21 >H[LY ,ULYN` *VUULJ[PVU >LLKZ ,KPISL *VU[YVS >L[SHUKZ >VVK 204-05 :HS]HNLK

Y-Z @HYK 4HUHNLTLU[ 258-68 AVULZ 16 131 7YP]H[L 16 7\ISPJ 115-19 126 Edges 115, 119 127, 131 *VUULJ[PVUZ 119

About Sarah Carolyn Sutton Sarah Carolyn Sutton, ASLA, is a licensed Landscape Architect with over 30 years’ experience in sustainable landscape design and construction. As a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional, a Bay-YPLUKS` 3HUKZJHWL 8\HSPÄLK 7YVMLZZPVUHS HUK H *LY[PÄLK .YLLU )\PSKPUN 7YVMLZZPVUHS ZOL HK]PZLZ VU U\TLYV\Z sustainable projects and programs—locally and nationally. Ms. Sutton earned her degree in Landscape Architecture, with honors, and was awarded the Eisner Prize in the Creative Arts, from the College of Environmental Design at the University of California, Berkeley. 4Z :\[[VU PZ H MVYTLY PUZ[Y\J[VY H[ )\PSK 0[ .YLLU ^OLYL ZOL OLSWLK KL]LSVW HUK WYLZLU[LK [OL SHUKZJHWL KLZPNU ZLJ[PVU VM [OL *LY[PÄLK .YLLU )\PSKPUN 7YVMLZZPVUHS ;YHPUPUN 7YVNYHT [OYV\NOV\[ *HSPMVYUPH (U HUPTH[LK HUK knowledgeable speaker, she continues to receive invitations to present various topics concerning sustainable landscape planning and design at local, state and national conferences. A teacher at heart, Sarah is an instructor with UC Davis Extension where she teaches Site Planning for Creeks, Riparian Corridors & Wetlands as a part of the Sustainable Water Resources Management program and Practical Approaches to Erosion Control and Land Restoration. She taught planting design for UC Berkeley Extension’s Landscape Architecture program. Drawing from her experience with the design and implementation of stream and habitat restoration projects locally and in Puerto Rico, Ms. Sutton co-authored the Stream Restoration section of the Stormwater Management Chapter Appendix

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in Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards, by Leonard J. Hopper (Editor). She has published numerous articles in professional journals on a variety of topics, including green roofs, urban rain gardens and community design. 4Z :\[[VU OHZ W\YZ\LK HU LK\JH[PVU PU [OL ÄLSK VM UH[\YHS OLHS[O HUK OLHSPUN NHYKLUZ :OL VI[HPULK H *LY[PÄJH[L PU ;OLYHWL\[PJ /LHSPUN .HYKLU +LZPNU MYVT [OL *OPJHNV )V[HUPJHS .HYKLU HUK PZ H *LY[PÄLK 5H[\YHS /LHS[O 7YVMLZZPVUHS :OL PUJVYWVYH[LZ OLY \UKLYZ[HUKPUN VM [OL OLHS[O ILULÄ[Z VM OLYIZ HUK OLHSPUN NHYKLU WYPUJPWSLZ PU[V HSS of her design projects. In addition, Ms. Sutton has continued to pursue her avocation as an artist, in a variety of media. Her work has been L_OPIP[LK PU ZL]LYHS VUL ^VTHU HUK NYV\W ZOV^Z HUK HY[ MLZ[P]HSZ /LY HIZ[YHJ[ HUK ÄN\YH[P]L ^VYRZ VM[LU PUMVYT OLY landscape designs by bringing a fresh approach to color, texture and composition. 4Z :\[[VU PZ H 7YPUJPWHS ^P[O ;OL 7SHUUPUN *LU[LY c +* , HU LJVSVNPJHSS` TPUKLK WSHUUPUN HUK KLZPNU ÄYT ^P[O VMÄJLZ [OYV\NOV\[ *HSPMVYUPH ^OLYL ZOL PZ 7YPUJPWHS PU *OHYNL VM 3HUKZJHWL (YJOP[LJ[\YL HUK :\Z[HPUHISL +LZPNU PU [OL )LYRLSL` VMÄJL :L]LYHS VM OLY WYVQLJ[Z OH]L YLJLP]LK KLZPNU H^HYKZ PUJS\KPUN [OL >H[LY ,MÄJPLU[ +LTVUZ[YH[PVU .HYKLU MVY [OL :HU[H *SHYH =HSSL` >H[LY +PZ[YPJ[ (:3( 5VY[OLYU *HSPMVYUPH *OHW[LY 4LYP[ (^HYK HUK *Y`LY :P[L 7HYR MVY [OL *P[` VM 6HRSHUK (:3( 5VY[OLYU *HSPMVYUPH *OHW[LY 4LYP[ (^HYK :OL PZ H TLTILY VM [OL (TLYPJHU :VJPL[` VM 3HUKZJHWL (YJOP[LJ[Z (:3( HUK ZLY]LK HZ [OL 7YLZPKLU[ VM [OL 5VY[OLYU *HSPMVYUPH *OHW[LY PU 4Z Sutton currently lives in Berkeley, California.

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Appendix

+LZPNU ;LTWSH[LZ On the following pages are templates of various plants and garden elements for use when planning your front yard. You may photocopy and use them to jumpstart your design process. Also included are elements and vignette templates from featured gardens in the book. You may use these to help visualize or replicate what you might want in your yard. Just include any existing trees, shrubs or structures you may currently have and want to keep. (M[LY [OL [LTWSH[LZ HYL H ML^ WHNLZ VM H NYPK ^P[O ZX\HYLZ WLY PUJO ZX\HYL $ MVV[ [V JYLH[L `V\Y IHZL WSHU ZLL *OHW[LY -VSSV^PUN [OL Z[LWZ V\[SPULK PU *OHW[LYZ ]LYPM` `V\Y ULLKZ JYLH[L H WSLHZPUN JVTWVZP[PVU HUK KYH^ H THZ[LY WSHU [OH[ ^PSS N\PKL `V\Y WSHU[ HUK TH[LYPHS ZLSLJ[PVU =PZP[ 2PZZ@V\Y.YHZZ.VVKI`L JVT MVY TVYL templates, examples, suggestions and to download a PDF of the grid and templates for printing on your own paper.

Small Tree 12 feet diameter

Shrub/Tree 8 feet diameter

Medium Tree 22 feet diameter Small Tree 16 feet diameter

+LZPNU ;LTWSH[LZ Large Shrubs 4-6 feet wide

Medium Shrubs and Grasses 2.5-3.5 feet wide

Small Shrubs/Perennials 1.5-2 feet wide

Patio (see Chapter 5) Low wall to enclose Berm Flagstone or urbanite paving with groundcover

Herb Garden (see Chapter 5) MVV[ ^PKL WH[OZ Birdbath in center

Arbor

Pots

Courtyard (see Chapter 5) Brick border Decorative gravel paving Birdbath in center Bench

Sidewalk Treatment (see Chapter 5) Low wall and steps Pots on plinths Flagstone or urbanite paving

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