Once educated about the true reality of out declining natural world and the potential consequences of global warming, most landscape consumers want to help our environment if not for themselves then for their children.  Even if you do not believe it is true, there is the nagging reality of what could be wrong with cleaner water and air?

The subject of global warming is monumental and it is difficult to know where to begin.   From a visual and practical perspective, the garden can be a very rewarding element to implement change for the better.  Planting trees, flowers, installing bird houses, etc. is something that most of us can accomplish and the visual changes can be enjoyed almost instantly.   Unfortunately, just planting trees or flowers is not enough to truly mitigate your footprint on the land and turn the tide against our climate change.  It feels good.  It helps your local landscape company or nursery.  But in reality, it is only a start of what should be done. 

For most of us, we live where a forest once stood.  Where a stream once flowed to a meadow.   We don’t see these natural features because the trees have been removed, the land flattened, and the streams piped underground to accommodate for the development you may live in.  The only legacy of the forest that once stood is the name of the stream that the subdivision is ironically named after.

Doing things right, comes down to will, knowledge, and budget.  Oddly, the biggest deterrent I have faced advocating sustainable landscape practices is not the consumer who lacks knowledge or will for change.  It is a good number of the actual landscape contractors, service providers, and designers who are refusing to even entertain sustainable landscape practices.  Be it ignorance or arrogance, some landscape practitioners simply refuse to acknowledge the landscape industry’s responsibility to educate the public, change our industry’s non-sustainable practices for the betterment of all, and take responsibility for the industry’s contribution and degradation of our ecosystem. There are those that lurk among our profession who steadfastly refuse to alter non-sustainable landscape service systems.  Practices that have been in place since they first laid eyes on a shovel and saw a dollar sign.  One such long time business owner once said to me, “The public is simply too stupid to know the difference…all they want is a green lawn and they don’t care how they get it.”

Fortunately, most of us in the landscape trade want to change our environment for the better and actively pursue this point in one form or another.  If you work within the landscape trade it is certainly not to become a millionaire for there are many more trades that pay far more with less hours.   Most landscape professionals chose this work to fulfill their passion for plants, design, and nature.   It is truly unfortunate that consumers must be aware that  there are those among our trade that could care less about you or our environment., though their public persona for marketing purposes proclaims otherwise.

As a consumer, knowledge is the real power for it will ultimately drive demand.  The best advice I can give you to that account, is know the product or service you are buying.  This will enable you to judge whether you are receiving what you paid for versus slick promises.  This comment is particularly true concerning landscape maintenance.

Surely after reading this commentary, you must wonder “Who then do I trust?  What is the best way to go?”  Believe me, I have the same feeling.  I am also learning as I go too.  But first and foremost, do not become frustrated.  I would rather you plant a tree than do nothing at all.  That said, landscaping should be more than cosmetic change.   Sustainable landscapes and gardens can actually aid our natural world.  From habitat creation to reducing runoff through rain gardens or use of permeable materials, these elements can be implemented in stages as your landscape ages. Or these systems can be installed in one fell swoop to make a fresh start.

ARTICLE to BE CONTINUED-SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION