Garden Practices with Health and Ecology in Mind
A healthy landscape is a self-sustaining ecosystem requiring fewer external inputs. It is characterized by living soil, biodiversity, water efficiency, and the use of native plants. These components work together to create an entire ecosystem.
How to Begin
The first step is to assess the natural features of your property to better understand the soil and light conditions. Things to focus on are sun and shade, as well as identifying the areas that are dry or damp. Once these areas are identified, you are that much closer to understanding which plants will do well.
Ecology
The ecology of a property can be just as diverse as the natural landscape. It can have a range of micro-climates impacted by existing natural and constructed features. An organic approach includes all the components allowing them to guide the design process, rather than imposing preconceived ideas.
The Design
The design process can be a casual visit to provide guidance or a formal assessment leading to a comprehensive design package that would include mapping, notes on ecology, various microclimates, erosion concerns, suggested plant list and an estimate on cost of materials, plants, and installation.
Planting
If you need assistance with planting, the work can be done by Nature Gardens or referred to a reputable plant nursery specializing in native plants. We are able to plant annuals, perennials, wildflowers, herbs, grasses, sedges, shrubs and trees with an emphasis on plants that provide ecosystem services.
NATURE GARDEN SERVICES
PLANTING
Planting services include consultation, site prep, sourcing materials and plants, planting, and guidance on maintenance. Planting projects include creating of garden beds, building or sourcing planter boxes and amending existing beds.
Flowering annuals, perennials, ground covers, sedges, grasses, veggies, herbs, fruit trees, shrubs and berries
ECOLOGY
Ecological service are site-specific with an emphasis on landscape restoration. Habitat features focus on building biodiversity. Your garden can be certified as a wild-life friendly habitat as recognized by the Canadian Wildlife Federation
Removing unwanted or invasive plants, transforming lawns, creating rock structures, brush piles and pollinator sites