Landscape - PLANET Sustainability Report

Sustainable landscapes are the hot topic nowdays. The following is information on a recent report issued on the subject.

PLANET (Professional Landcare Network, aka ALCA) has just issued its annual “Crystal Ball Report” and the report declares that the green and sustainable landscapes trend is here to stay. The report characterizes the trend as “perhaps the biggest distinct business opportunity of the 21st century…” for the landscape and turf industry. In addition to exploring and defining sustainability for the landscape and turf industry, the report is chock full of ideas and specifics about how companies can implement sustainable practices in their work, both externally for customers and internally in their businesses. The report is a must-read for any landscape company owner who wants to learn how to profit from this growing trend.The report is available through the PLANET bookstore by clicking here . You may also want to download PLNA’s white paper on green infrastructure, download by clicking here .

Information from the Pennsylvania Nursery and Landscape Association website: http://www.plna.com/content/?/e-news/october-23-2009#planet

Landscape - Sustainable Site Initiative

The following is information on the sustainable sites initiative. This initiative seeks to increase sustainable landscaping throughout the US.

SUSTAINABLE SITES INITIATIVE

Three years of research and work culminates this November 5th, as the Sustainable Sites Initiative will release the first full national rating system for sustainable landscapes as part of the Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks 2009 report . This latest report takes into account feedback from hundreds of individuals and organizations across the country and around the world. In addition, the report release will include a supplemental educational report, titled Making the Case for Sustainable Landscapes , that provides scientific and economic arguments underlying the guidelines, and will highlight several case studies for sustainable practices.

Upon the release of the Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks 2009 , the Sustainable Sites Initiative will also formally open the Call for Pilot Projects. Projects selected for the Pilot Program will be the first to test the rating system and will be included in the Reference Guide, to be released in 2012. The Initiative will accept applications online starting November 5 through February 15, 2010. Any type of designed landscape is eligible to participate, ranging from academic and corporate campuses, parks and recreation areas, transportation corridors to single residences, with a minimum project size of 2,000 square feet. Fees for participating in the pilot project process will run between $500 to $5,000 depending on project budget (there may be limited scholarships available based on need).

For more information on the pilot projects, visit www.sustainablesites.org/pilot.You can learn more about the Sustainable Sites Initiative at these upcoming conferences. Check the Sustainable Sites website for the most current listings.

Landscape - New Sustainable Landscapes Web Site at UD

Sustainable landscaping is being promoted throughout the country, yet there is considerable confusion on what sustainable landscaping means. The Univerisity of Delaware has produced a website to help explain the concept of sustainble landscaping in an easy to understand format. The following is more information:

A sustainable landscape Web site has been launched by the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens. The site's content was written in large part by Rebecca Pineo, who is serving her second year-long internship with the Botanic Gardens. A 24-year-old graduate of St. Mary's College of Maryland, she has applied to UD's Longwood Graduate Program in Public Horticulture for the 2009-2010 academic year. “The term 'sustainable landscape' gets thrown around a lot but there's not always agreement on what it means,” said Pineo. “This Web site defines it as a stable and productive ecosystem that conserves the physical and biological processes occurring on that landscape.” Most importantly, said Pineo, the Web site explains why sustainable landscaping is a good thing to do. Sustainable landscapes are promoted for maintaining soil integrity, hydrological function, plant and animal diversity, and contributing to human wellness.

The site is divided into five major categories - soils, hydrology, vegetation, human wellness and materials (which includes such topics as renewable landscape products and recycling leaves).
The soil section gives an overview of the basics, including how to do a soil test. But it also details the ins and outs of fertilizer usage, composting, soil compaction, and 10 full pages of info about integrated pest management.

“Rebecca did a great job of taking complex topics and material and presenting it in a reader-friendly format,” said Sue Barton, UD Cooperative Extension's specialist for ornamental horticulture, and Pineo's adviser on the project. “I think the sustainable landscape Web site will be a useful tool for Delaware gardeners who want to protect the natural environment.”

The website is at: http://www.ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/

Landscape - Horticultural Ecosystems X

This is the last of the series on horticultural ecosystems in sustainable landscaping. Slides are from a presentation that I give on the subject.

Pest problems in the landscape result from a horticultural ecosystem that is out of balance. This often is due to lack of diversity in a landscape that leads to pest buildup. Use of plants that have noted pest problems should be reduced. Practice those methods that encourage the buildup of competitors or natural controls of pests. If pest control is necessary, practice integrated pest management and consider all options before using a pesticide.

Encouraging beneficial or benign organisms in the landscape can go a long way to reduce or eliminate pest problems. Strive for a balanced ecosystem. Understand those practices that can encourage these "good" organisms above ground and below ground.

It is critical to use native plant species as much as possible. These are well adapted plants that are important for wildlife and will help to develop a horticultural ecosystem that will function well in our area.

In the end, consider whether you want to fight natural forces or learn to take advantage of them. Highly managed horticultural systems with limited diversity and high maintenance species are costly and often do not succeed in the long term. Think of how your short term actions will end up in long term consequences. In landscape design make sure your vision includes the creation of a successful and healthy horticultural ecosystem. Strive to understand the interactions that occur in the landscape to help you make better decisions.

I hope this series has been helpful with those of you interested in sustainable landscaping.

Gordon Johnson, Extension Horticultural Agent, UD, Kent County

Horticulture - What is Sustainable

Sustainability is a term that is used extensively. We hear the term sustainable being applied to everything from communities to agriculture to the environment. The horticulture industry has an important role to play in sustainability. However, the term is often not well understood. The following are my thoughts on the subject.

• Sustainable refers to systems that are long lasting and do not cause harm to the environment. Sustainability has environmental, societal, and economic components
• Sustainability requires that resources are used wisely, that non-renewable resources are limited, and that there is a focus on the use of renewable resources.
• To be sustainable, environmental considerations must come to the forefront.
• Growth and sustainability are often at odds. For true sustainability, growth (i.e. development) needs to be limited and managed.
• On the flip side, sustainable systems must maintain an appropriate standard of living for those in the system.
• The green industry has a large part to play in sustainability as plants are critical as renewable resources (photosynthesis as the factory) and are critical in maintaining a healthy environment.
• Recycling, reusing, and returning are all critical terms in sustainable systems.

I will be writing more on this subject in future posts.

Gordon Johnson, Extension Horticulture Agent, UD, Kent County