Category Archives: Eco-Friendly

Soil Solarization…an Eco-Friendly Process!

Even the richest soil, if left uncultivated will produce the rankest weeds.

~Leonardo da Vinci

I am excited to share with you the BEST organic technique to battle weeds, soil diseases, and pests when you are planning a new garden! Solarization uses a transparent plastic sheet to capture the heat and energy from the sun, which in turn causes a physical, chemical, and biological change in the soil without the use of chemicals.

The soil temperature is raised to lethal levels for many soil borne plant pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and pests along with weed seeds and seedlings. Soil solarization doesn’t only kill problem weeds at the surface, it destroys the roots below, all while making nitrogen in the soil more easily available to your new plants. Pretty cool!

Solarization isn’t a “quick fix” like chemical herbicides and pesticides. It requires a little time and effort on your part. The best time to solarize soil is during the months when the suns rays are strongest. (For Zone 5b that’s June-August.)

First, grab a cool beverage then roll up your sleeves!

Get your gear:
  • Lawn mower or weed trimmer
  • Shovel or tiller (for new beds)
  • Hose
  • Clear plastic tarp (0.001-0.004 mil. thick), available at most stores where paint is sold
  • Rocks, concrete blocks or something to secure the plastic in place
Get to work:
  1. Clean the area you want to solarize by removing rocks, twigs and other debris.
  2. Mow down any tall weeds and grass and rake the area so the ground is as level as possible. For new garden beds, till the area first and remove any large clumps of sod and weeds, and rake level.
  3. Moisten the area thoroughly with water until soil is dark but still crumbly. Lay the plastic down ASAP after watering.
  4. Cover the soil with a clear plastic tarp, placing it as close to the soil’s surface as possible. Air pockets will prevent the soil from heating to maximum temperature.
  5. Secure the plastic with rocks, blocks, etc., around the perimeter, or bury the edges in a trench.
  6. Keep the plastic in place for 4 to 6 weeks.
  7. Remove the plastic and plant your bed. Remember to cultivate no more than 2″-3″ below the soil and mulch deeply to prevent new weeds.

During the solarization process, the heat that is generated is hot enough to kill a wide variety of soil-inhabiting pests and noxious weed seeds. PLUS, solarization helps to stimulate the release of nutrients from organic matter already in the soil – a beneficial and natural bonus for treating garden soil where veggies, herbs or flowers will soon be planted!

May all your gardens grow,

Ornamental Trees for the Landscape

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

~Joyce Kilmer, 1914

When my mother passed away many years ago, I had an overwhelming desire to plant a tree in her memory and honor, and so I did. Today, I still love my very fragrant Miss Kim lilac tree planted near my front entrance. Each spring I marvel at the unforgettable fragrance and beautiful blossoms that so lovingly remind me of my mother!

Trees are planted for many reasons, usually with a unique purpose and intent. Tall trees with large canopies offer shade, dense trees serve as windbreakers, and fruit and nut trees provide food production. But there is something very special about a small specimen tree in a landscape that becomes personal and treasured for many years!

There is a wide selection of fabulous small ornamental trees to choose from and it can be quite overwhelming…the possibilities are endless! No matter what reason you wish to plant a small ornamental tree, plant survival, longevity and landscape value will be enhanced if you first consider site conditions along with the tree’s physical and ornamental traits. Below are helpful tips to consider the next time you make a small tree purchase!

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides an excellent hardiness zone map which is a great resource and will give you an idea of how well suited a small tree is to your area.
  • Don’t forget about soil conditions! Many ornamentals require specific soil conditions to maintain healthy growth. When in doubt, get a soil test to determine the texture, pH and nutrient levels of your soil.
  • Drainage is also a very important factor for plant health. Most trees grow best in well drained, moist soils. Poor drainage will eventually cause trees to die because of insufficient oxygen levels in the soil.
  • Light requirements are imperative! When I first started gardening, I was certain plants intended for full sun would likely survive in part shade. Wrong! Trees need light to grow…some more than others. Remember that light affects the amount of flowering, fruiting, and fall leaf coloration which are significant attributes.
  • Wind and air circulation play key roles in plant survival. Always try to evaluate the amount of wind a small tree will be exposed to. Another one of my gardening blunders was planting a small Japanese maple on a northern exposure. After four years, the small tree could not survive the forceful northern winds and it eventually died.

Selecting a small ornamental tree can be just as much fun (if not more!) as visiting your favorite mall!  Remember to do your homework and then shop til’ you drop!

May all your gardens grow!


Balance, Ease & Beauty

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful,
we must carry it with us or we find it not.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Initial meetings with clients always begin with a request for a maintenance-free landscape and the response is always consistent – a maintenance-free landscape is virtually impossible! However, what is not impossible is a sustainable landscape that works with the environment and requires minimal and manageable maintenance.

Once explained, clients are excited and anxious for us to dig in…literally! After all, who doesn’t long for beautiful gardens that attract wildlife and require very little maintenance?

As you may know, there are many variations to the definition of sustainable landscaping. However, I define sustainable landscaping with three words: balance, ease, and beauty! Balance embraces local climate, site selection and resources; ease includes minimal inputs such as water, organic pesticides and fertilizers; and beauty, of course, is what excites all gardeners!

Sustainable landscaping begins with an excellent design that is functional, cost efficient, visually attractive, environmentally friendly, and easy to maintain. Believe it or not, sustainable landscaping is very simple to achieve!

Following are three key components to a viable sustainable landscape:

  • Promotes positive practices and minimizes negative impacts
  • Facilitates self-sufficiency
  • Conserves natural resources

How can you implement these ideas into your landscaping this year?

  • Water harvesting by attaching a rain barrel to a downspout
  • Utilizing a compost bin
  • Thickly planted garden beds with trees, shrubs, and ground covers
  • Beds planted along the edge of the road to slow and filter runoff
  • Terracing to slow runoff and encourage infiltration
  • Plant trees to create microclimates which reduce water usage
  • Learning good soil management which encourages rainwater infiltration
  • Mulching around tree trunks

Sustainability is an ongoing relationship between you, your garden and its surrounding eco-system. It’s not too late to begin making small changes toward a more sustainable garden now, with a goal of a more water-wise, environmentally-friendly garden in just a few months. You’ll be helping the earth and you’ll be rewarded with a lot less work creating and maintaining beautiful garden beds!

May all your gardens grow!