TRENDS IN BACKYARD LANDSCAPING - #6 - HARMONY WITH NATURE
The benefits of hiring a pro to achieve the ideal outdoor living space
There was a time when gardening seemed like it was a war with nature. When you see a bug, you wonder what you can spray it with. When you are putting in a shrub, you trim it to fit the space allotted. If your sloping lawn is browning off, you just pour more water on it. Today, more people realize they should work in harmony with nature and, therefore, acquiring information and the proper tools to do so are currently trending.
A good example of this is the effort to save pollinators, mainly bees, but all creatures that assist with pollination of plants. Movements to ban neonicotinoid pesticides are making headlines and people wonder what they can do to help. As much as a backyard landscape is a drop in the bucket, it is also fact that every little bit helps and, as an added benefit, working with nature results in a more interesting and diverse backyard.
Much entertainment can be derived from watching birds and butterflies in action. It is also one of the primary places where children are educated and form the values they will carry with them into adulthood. You can even consider getting your backyard certified with the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s (CWF’s) Backyard Habitat Certification program. In essence, your backyard landscaping must provide wildlife with food, water, and shelter.
WHY HIRE A PRO?
A garden of this nature can be planned from the ground up with a landscape designer or steps can be taken to modify an existing garden to make it more harmonious with nature. Your local garden centre or a store that specializes in wild bird food and similar products employ knowledgeable staff who can direct you towards some steps you can take to get the maximum benefit from your property, regardless of its size.
COSTS
Reducing your garden’s dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, as well as on redundant irrigation or maintenance practices, will save you money. Other more significant landscape installations such as a water feature or replacing your lawn with plantings could cost thousands of dollars. Many of the smaller inputs such as assembling a leafcutter bee house can make a good family afternoon craft project with hardly any cost, but a great benefit to bees.
Originally published in Pools, Spas & Patios - 2017 Annual Issue.
Download the entire original article. Trends in Landscaping1.37 MB
