Sustainable Landscaping For Dummies


Book Description

Sustainable Landscaping For Dummies provides hands-on, how-to instruction for realizing the benefits of a sustainable landscape, from selecting sutainable hardscape materials to installing a rain-water catchment system to choosing native plants.




A New Garden Ethic


Book Description

In a time of climate change and mass extinction, how we garden matters more than ever: “An outstanding and deeply passionate book.” —Marc Bekoff, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals Plenty of books tell home gardeners and professional landscape designers how to garden sustainably, what plants to use, and what resources to explore. Yet few examine why our urban wildlife gardens matter so much—not just for ourselves, but for the larger human and animal communities. Our landscapes push aside wildlife and in turn diminish our genetically programmed love for wildness. How can we get ourselves back into balance through gardens, to speak life's language and learn from other species? Benjamin Vogt addresses why we need a new garden ethic, and why we urgently need wildness in our daily lives—lives sequestered in buildings surrounded by monocultures of lawn and concrete that significantly harm our physical and mental health. He examines the psychological issues around climate change and mass extinction as a way to understand how we are short-circuiting our response to global crises, especially by not growing native plants in our gardens. Simply put, environmentalism is not political; it's social justice for all species marginalized today and for those facing extinction tomorrow. By thinking deeply and honestly about our built landscapes, we can create a compassionate activism that connects us more profoundly to nature and to one another.




Green Your Home


Book Description

"Teaches you how to use earth-friendly materials to build or upgrade your home."--BOOK JACKET.




Landscaping For Dummies


Book Description

Create an eye-catching outdoor oasis with this no-nonsense guide to landscaping As families spend more time at home, they're expanding their living space to their yards, decks, and patios. When you're ready to upgrade the look of your landscape, Landscaping For Dummies offers advice on installing fences and walkways, choosing hardy plants and trees, and enhancing natural habitats for the critters and creatures lurking in your neighborhood. You'll find out how to make your backyard a relaxing retreat space and discover the enjoyment and satisfaction that comes from working in your yard. Landscaping For Dummies includes: Lists of recommended plants and varieties, including the best ones for privacy plantings, low-maintenance groundcovers, and small gardens Advice on how to deal with special landscaping concerns, including fire-prone areas, bee and butterfly gardens, and drought-tolerant and native landscapes Instructions on installing permanent features like decks, patios, fences, and more Pointers on how to water more efficiently, including the latest tools and technologies that can save you time With a little bit of planning and some digging, trimming, or planting, you'll be set to enjoy your yard whenever the mood strikes. Let Landscaping For Dummies be your guide to making the most of your outdoor space.




Chesapeake Gardening and Landscaping


Book Description

What if, one step at a time, we could make our gardens and landscapes more eco-friendly? Barbara W. Ellis's colorful, comprehensive guide shows homeowners, gardeners, garden designers, and landscapers how to do just that for the large and beautiful Chesapeake Bay watershed region. This area includes Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Washington, D.C., and part of West Virginia (translating to portions of USDA Zones 6, 7, and 8). Here, mid-Atlantic gardeners, from beginners to advanced, will find the essential tools for taking steps to make their gardens part of the solution through long-term planning and planting. The guide is built from the ground up around six simple but powerful principles that anyone can use: * Reduce lawn * Build plant diversity * Grow native plants * Manage water runoff * Welcome wildlife * Garden wisely Included are detailed instructions for assessing and designing your particular garden or landscape site; choosing and caring for trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, and flowers; and succeeding with such conditions as shade or poor soil. From rain gardens to woodland gardens, meadow gardens to wildlife gardens, and much more, this indispensable guide features more than 300 color photographs.




Sustainable Landscaping For Dummies


Book Description

Sustainable Landscaping For Dummies provides hands-on, how-to instruction for realizing the benefits of a sustainable landscape, from selecting sutainable hardscape materials to installing a rain-water catchment system to choosing native plants.




Landscaping 101


Book Description

Unlock the Secrets to a Stunning Outdoor Space! Are you tired of staring at a bland, uninspiring backyard? Do you dream of creating an outdoor oasis but don't know where to start? Are you overwhelmed by the myriad of landscaping options available and unsure how to bring your vision to life? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then "Landscaping 101: A Complete Guide to Home Landscape Design and Ideas" is the book you've been waiting for! About This Book: Comprehensive Coverage: From planning and design to maintenance, this book covers every aspect of landscaping to help you achieve your dream outdoor space. Edible Landscaping: Learn how to incorporate edible hedges and ground covers into your design, combining beauty with functionality. Arbor Inspiration: Discover creative ideas for building arbors that add structure and elegance to your garden. Step-by-Step Guidance: Easy-to-follow instructions and illustrations make even complex landscaping projects accessible to beginners. Plant Selection Tips: Get expert advice on choosing the right plants for your climate and soil type to ensure long-lasting beauty. Budget-Friendly Ideas: Learn how to achieve stunning results without breaking the bank, with tips on cost-effective materials and design strategies. Sustainable Practices: Discover eco-friendly landscaping techniques that not only beautify your space but also benefit the environment. Don't let another season pass with a lackluster outdoor area. Transform your yard into a breathtaking retreat with "Landscaping 101: A Complete Guide to Home Landscape Design and Ideas." Whether you're a novice gardener or an experienced landscaper looking for fresh inspiration, this book has something for everyone. Buy your copy today and take the first step towards creating the outdoor space of your dreams!




Climate-Wise Landscaping


Book Description

What can we do, right now, in our own landscapes, to help solve climate change? Gold Winner, Foreword INDIES Book Awards: Ecology & Environment “Read this book carefully. Everything you need to know to help heal our relationship with planet Earth and empower you to make a much-needed difference is within these pages.”—From the foreword by Doug Tallamy Praise for the first edition: “The volume of information here is impressive, and each action is accompanied by an explanation of why it’s important. . . . Useful whether read cover-to-cover or dipped into for specific topics.”—Booklist “Beautifully designed, the book is user-friendly and attractive. The information is current and science-based, with end-notes that give readers access to further research.”—Virginia Native Plant Society “This fantastic resource is filled with climate-wise solutions for anyone who owns or manages a piece of ground—even if it’s just a few containers on a tiny rooftop garden.”—Claudia West, ASLA, Principal, Phyto Studio LLC “[Reed and Stibolt] articulate a new gardening aesthetic. . . . The result is a positive and hopeful story of how people can use their imagination and ingenuity to help craft more resilient landscapes.”—Dr. Peter Robinson, former CEO, David Suzuki Foundation “Beautiful photos and pleasing graphics illustrate key ideas and actions while informative sidebars and inspiring quotes from climate and landscape experts provide clarity of complex systems and motivation to adapt to a changing future.”—Julie Richburg, Ph.D., ecologist “A book on climate-wise landscaping could not be more timely or more necessary. We are moving into a new and critical era, and this book takes landscape professionals and home gardeners where they need to go.”—Owen Dell, RLA, ASLA, landscape architect, educator, author, Owen Dell & Associates “A very useful guide to designing landscapes for the twenty-first century which clearly respond to our changing climate.”—Darrel Morrison, honorary associate faculty member in landscape architecture, University of Wisconsin-Madison Predictions about future effects of climate change range from mild to dire—but we’re already seeing warmer winters, hotter summers, and more extreme storms. Proposed solutions often seem expensive and complex and can leave us as individuals at a loss, wondering what, if anything, can be done. Sue Reed and Ginny Stibolt offer a rallying cry in response—instead of wringing our hands, let's roll up our sleeves. Based on decades of the authors' experience, this book is packed with simple, practical steps anyone can take to beautify any landscape or garden, while helping protect the planet and the species that call it home. Topics include:  Working actively to shrink our carbon footprint through mindful landscaping and gardening Creating cleaner air and water Maximizing resource efficiency Supporting birds, butterflies, pollinators, and other wildlife.  As climate change continues to intensify around the globe, the information in this second edition of Climate-Wise Landscaping is needed now more than ever. This book is the ideal tool for homeowners, gardeners, and landscape professionals who want to be part of the solution to climate change.




Garden Design and Landscaping


Book Description

Are you looking for a complete guide on landscaping and gardening design? Then keep reading... Once the homework has been done, it is now time to start to think about designing your new landscape. You can proceed one of two ways from here. You can take your plot plan and ideas to a professional or you can go through the design process yourself. Most people start here without doing the homework that you just read about. This is a big mistake because all truly good design must accommodate the items that we cannot change.If you decide to proceed on your own at this point, I have listed a few ideas and recommendations below.I would like to say just a few words on the subject at this point in the process. I am a landscape architect by trade. I am not a plumber, mechanic or electrician. My wife will surely tell you that I am not a painter or an accountant. My point is that we all have our areas of expertise. IF you are not comfortable in the next step or you feel overwhelmed by all the choices of plants, mulches and hardscape treatments, then you should engage a professional in the green industry at this point. This book covers: The Fundamental Of Landscape Design Knowing Everything Before To Start Land Scape Design Guidelines Low-Cost, Easy Raised Beds For Your Landscaping Garden Design: The Main Components Plant Design Overview Tree's And Flowers For Your Landscaping Design The Social And Small City Garden Design Landscape Styles For Different Environment Kinds The Garden Country Style Mine Blowing Landscaping Ideas ...And MoreYou could hire a landscape architect, landscape designer, or nurseryman to help you with your plans. The first two will probably charge a consultation fee. The nurseryman may or may not (if you buy the plants from his establishment). This is money and time well spent. The information that you have previously gathered will make their job extremely easy. This is their area of expertise and armed with the information that you have gathered, they should be able to generate some pretty amazing results in just an hour or so. Who to choose? Here is where you need to do some homework again.It has been my experience over the years that nurserymen tend to design landscapes that are "plant heavy". It makes sense since they are in the business of selling plants. Some landscape architects are too "plant light" resulting in sometimes sterile results. The designer that mixes an appropriate amount of plants, lawn and architecture to satisfy your requirements in an aesthetic manner IS the person you want. You can find the right professional by asking neighbors, looking at landscapes that are appealing to you, and visiting nurseries in the area. Ask if different designers have web sites and view them.Whichever path you take during the design process, please take the time to do your homework before beginning. I cannot stress the idea enough that an informed designer will create a wonderful, and functional landscape almost always.Want more about this book? BUY NOW!