Organic Landscaping

Posted by Katie Elzer-Peters
November 19th, 2008
Filed in Garden Design
Tags: flowers, lawns, native plants, Trees and Shrubs

Beautyberry

Am I seriously going to write a post about Organic Landscaping? Yes. Why? Well, because there is a lot of talk about Organic Gardening, and rightfully so (that is what this site is about, yes?), but not so much talk about organic landscaping. Why might we care? Well, because “landscaping” is kind of another term for the plants growing around our houses and in our front yard. The landscaping is what we spend precious weekend hours maintaining, or hire crews of dubious training to maintain for us. It is what a bunch of people spend a bunch of time and money in order to “keep up with the neighbors” or “look good.” All too often, that means lots and lots of chemicals. (Drags soap box to center stage) “Ahem. My treatise on Organic Landscaping.”

Stop Dumping Chemicals on your Lawn

In fact, get rid of your lawn. There is a big movement re: lawn replacement. Homeowners associations are terrified of it. Non-horticultural home owners are, too. For those of you who are not yet ready to make the leap from lovely lawn to no lawn at all, there are other ways to maintain. Most cities of decent size have natural lawn care companies. These companies will use things like corn gluten to keep weeds at bay, and protein-based fertilizers rather than nitrogen fertilizers to keep your turf healthy.

Landscape with Natives

Native plants are not necessarily grown organically in the nursery. It depends upon the grower, whether they are organic in origin. Native are, however, easier to maintain in the garden or landscape without a lot of chemicals. If you think about it, that makes sense. Native plants are well acclimated to the weather and soil conditions of the area, so are more likely to stay healthy and need less “coddling.” If they are not stressed, they will be less likely to fall prey to insect and disease damage. It is a win-win situation.

What do you think of when you think of Landscaping?

I would venture a guess that most people think about trees and shrubs, as well as their lawn. That makes natives a good way to go for your organic landscape because there are plenty of nice looking, easy care native trees and shrubs now in the nursery trade. Here are some of my favorites:

• Beautyberry Callicarpa americana
• River Birch Betula nigra
• White Ash Fraxinus americana
• Tulip Poplar Liriodendron tulipifera
• Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
• Winterberry Ilex verticillata
• Red Maple Acer Rubrum

Think about it–aim for an organic garden and and organic landscape.