ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Ecological gardening  is both a philosophy & practice of observing, understanding, and supporting natural systems & beings around us. By choosing plants that are best suited to grow in the conditions present, we have the opportunity to create habitat & provide a food source for the web of local microbial, insect, and animal communities.

A foggy field with purple love grass, eragrostis spectabilis, Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium, rabbit tobacco, surrounded by misty pine trees.
Close-up of green lichen growing on a tree branch.
Close-up of low bush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium, growing on a rocky slope in the hudson valley eco region.

Approaching the land prioritizing respect for chemical free soil, human labor, choosing low energy consumption

Creating systems of sustainability means considering

PROCESS

  • Aerial image used for ecological site analysis, creating a site plan for native gardens.

    Site Analysis

    This phase is the foundation for moving into further stages of design, taking what was observed on site and expanding it to guide us through future design choices. This includes regional maps, site specific ecological plant communities, relevant grading, microclimate, and sun & soil studies. Any relevant plant mediation approaches will be considered.

  • Documents on a table showing the design deliverables included in landscape design development phase, including a book titled 'Ecological Communities of New York State', landscape design sketches, gardening plans, plant photos, and a spreadsheet.

    Design

    The design phase begins with establishing a common visual language through precedent images and/or drawings. This flows into the creation of an illustrative site plan and corresponding plant palette. Simultaneously, a project timeline, budget breakdown, and coordination of potential collaborators will coincide. Once the design and budget is approved, this will culminate in a final planting diagram which will be used in installation.

  • Native container plants sourced at a local nursery, ready for plant delivery, installation, and planting

    Installation

    Preparing for installation happens after all details are clarified. This includes sourcing plants, nursery visits, scheduling plant deliveries, site prep, as well as devising
    an irrigation system. The beginning of installation starts with site prep and relevant mediation approaches, then to material deliveries, followed by planting and irrigation set up.

  • Ecological Garden Maintenance, Gardener weeding, Land care.

    Establishment

    To ensure the plants are well established, tending to them closely for the first year is crucial. Reducing weed pressure helps minimize competition, and reduce weed seeds in the soil. In subsequent years maintenance usually includes continuing to remove undesirables which will taper off over time, pruning, transplanting, and potential additions.