by Heather D Heimarck I have always been a map gazer, letting my mind wander along the mountain ridges and rivers of the world. Recently, I have taken up a…
Developing Healthy Landscapes
An unhealthy environment should not be the price of a beautiful landscape. Inappropriate plant choices and inadequate soil preparation can lead to a reliance on excessive use of water and on toxic chemicals to resolve problems. Ecological landscaping encourages practices that promote a healthy environment through conservation of resources, respect for biodiversity, and ecologically-sound techniques.
Are Rain Gardens Mini Toxic Cleanup Sites?
by Lisa Stiffler Originally posted on Sightline Daily, January 22, 2013, by Sightline Fellow Lisa Stiffler, this post is part of the research project: Stormwater Solutions: Curbing Toxic Runoff. If…
The Dirty Truth – Part 1
Concepts in mitigating site impacts when using heavy equipment Part 1 – Soil and Equipment by Walker Korby From the cab of even a small 6-ton diesel excavator, every site…
Selecting and Using Composts for Sustainable Landscaping
by Geoffrey Kuter, Ph.D. Composts are highly versatile and valuable products with multiple uses in sustainable landscaping. When using composts made from waste materials, carbon and nutrients are recycled to…
Respecting the Soil Food Web
by Linda Miyoshi In nature, a symbiotic relationship exists between soil microbes and plants. All plants depend on microorganisms to provide all nutrients needed for their growth, access water, ward…
Working Magic on Plants
by Kevin Richardson Do you know that the same microbes in a compost pile that break down food scraps, lawn clippings, leaves, paper, and wood back into soil are also…
Think the Soil Food Web Is Amazing? Take a Look at Plant Cellular Biology
by Jeff Lowenfels Most books on growing plants contain an explanation of the soil Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC). This is one measurement of the ability of soil to hold nutrients….
The Buzz on Biodiversity
The following excerpt is reprinted with the author’s permission from The Holistic Orchard, Chelsea Green Publishing (January 10, 2012). by Michael Phillips Permaculture people speak of two classes of plants…
Mill Brook Restoration – Strategies for Success Part 1
Defining and Executing the Project by Lisa Cowan, PLA, ASLA I had the fortunate experience of being in the right place, right time to be the lead landscape architect on…
Mowing Less at Bird Park: Sustainable Stewardship with Community Support
by Russ Hopping Parks and other cultural landscapes require careful planning and stewardship to make them special places for visitors. The natural world includes equally special and unique places that…
Transition to Sustainability at Kent Hospital, Warwick, Rhode Island
by Nick Novick Beginning about ten years ago, a significant portion of the landscape around Kent Hospital has been transformed from the common template of mostly maintenance-intensive lawn and beds…
Compost Tea: Reaping the Organic Rewards
Text and images reprinted with permission of New England Wildflower Society. by Nate McCullin When entering the 2011 growing season I had many questions floating around in my mind regarding…