Microclimates: How to push the boundaries of plant hardiness.

Understanding plant zoning is essential for any gardener, novice and experienced alike. During a visit through one of the many abundant big box stores, I noted several species of perennials that are not cold hardy for our Sudbury winters. Due to the eye catching appeal of such a foreign plant, one has the innate desire to take that unique specimen home for a special spot in the garden. What is not so evident to the aspiring green thumb is that the exotic looking perennial will not be returning from the ground next spring. Once winter brings snow and ice - the expensive purchase is never to be seen again.

Generally speaking, when designing a garden in Sudbury and the surrounding areas, I work with plants & trees with a maximum zone 4 : -34 to -29 C . Zone 3B would be an even safer choice. Zoning is an important factor when selecting perennials and trees, but it is not the only thing that needs to be considered. Soil types, wind, Sun and shade are other key factors that one must also take into account.

But how does one maximize their current zone? One answer is to create a microclimate or identify an existing one in your garden. A brick wall in the sun offers an amplified warm spot for any sun loving, heat loving perennial. A fence, hedge, or thick evergreen can provide shelter from the cold winter winds. A tree, pergola, or arbour will cast enough shade to cool your garden and keep the soil from too quickly drying up. Water can be used in countless ways to create cool spots in the garden. Ammending the soil as well as changing the acidity levels can also greatly affect the growing conditions in a localized area.

See the attached image for zone differentiation.

Click on following link fo more information.
http://sis.agr.gc.ca/cansis/nsdb/climate/hardiness/intro.html

2010 Sudbury Home Builder's Spring Home Show

Opportunities abound for Draftroots Design, as the 2010 Sudbury Home Show comes to an end. Despite a few setbacks in the booth construction, including missing materials and deviations from the original design concept (to my dismay), it succeeded as an effective product display.

It began several months ago when I was asked by Maple Leaf Masonry Supply located on Long Lake Road in Sudbury Ontario, to help them design a booth for the Home Show. After planning was complete for the booth, they invited me to participate in the show.

The Home Show was a successful venture for me as a new small business owner. It was an opportunity to put my business in the public eye, and let the community, including local contractor's know that I exist and what kind of design services I can provide. It was a great experience just for the connections made between myself and other business owners in the landscape industry.

I have been told that the booth will ultimately be moved to the store location on Long Lake Road and reconstructed to reflect the original intent of the design.

Concept Sketch

Under Construction

Home Show in Action

See http://www.draftroots.com/ image gallery for more design images.

Standing Rock Sculpture - Revisited

In a previous post, I featured a quick design sketch on how to create a standing rock sculpture. Here are some photos of the finished product. (It seems a gardener can only find time for these projects in early spring - before any growth occurs in the garden.) I am patiently awaiting the first big spring rain to wash the stones clean.

Permeable Pavers - Series Installment #3

LANDSCAPE TRENDS FOR 2010

Currently, our communities are experiencing many adverse impacts on the natural water system as a result of urban development. As vegetation is replaced with buildings, concrete and asphalt, this concrete jungle serves as a means to very rapidly shed an increased volume of water, and with it pollutants, into those natural water systems. Our infrastructure which was once designed for a particular volume of rainwater is now over-taxed, as we increase water trapped on surface and redirect it to the storm sewers, rivers and streams. Designers and planners are now integrating storm sewer detention systems and Retention ponds as a means to help control, redirect and detain this water displacement.

SO HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO OUR PERSONAL LANDSCAPE?

Our choices to create hardscapes on our property, including asphalt, concrete and interlocking stone can contribute to this burden on our infrastructure and our natural streams and rivers. By implementing a new design approach to lockstone, permeable pavers offer an environmentally friendly alternative. Permeable pavers have been designed to permit water infiltration at a much faster rate. The aggregates below the interlocking surface act as a filter to the aforementioned pollutants that can be washed into our water system. The permeable pavers help to keep the rainwater on site.


This image is an example of the gaps provided between pavers to allow for water infiltration.


This is a commercial for one particular permeable paver product. It is a great example of installation and product use.

Tree Pruning Basics

For those do-it-yourselfers with a tree in need of some TLC, attached is a guide that provides all the basic knowledge needed for general tree pruning purposes. If in doubt, call a qualified arborist. (Click on Photos to Enlarge)

The following link is the source of the above information.

http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/h-156.pdf

Lawns: What are the Alternatives?

How can we be more sustainable? As far as the landscape is concerned, if the lawn isn't being used as a play space, it is more than likely just one more element of eye candy awaiting your attention. From a design perspective, it's the glue that holds your landscape together, as well, arguably ties your property into your neighborhood (it is common ground). From a maintenance perspective, the lawn is a needy companion. It demands to be fertilized, weeded, sometimes requires pesticides, and always needs to be kept trim. As it grows, it nags to be nurtured and cut to perfection.

Is it a status symbol? Perhaps. Ultimately, it has just become part of the norm. It's expected. It's filler. Maintenance costs aside (all landscapes have initial costs), but the lawn in relation to the creative possibilities of the garden, is status-quo. Not to mention predictable. So who dares venture beyond Kentucky blue grass and try something different?

The following is an incomplete collection of lawn alternatives:

1) Ornamental Grass

2) Clover

3) Moss

4) Garden (English Garden)

5) Xeriscaping (Requires Low Water & Maintenance)

6) Synthetic Turf

7) Any Groundcovers & Low Growing Perennials (Pic: Sedum)

Click Link to PDF, to find out more about the alternatives:
http://www.toronto.ca/health/pesticides/pdf/gardening_lawnalternatives.pdf