Difference between revisions of "Urban Native Gardens"

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<small>return to [[Living Building Design Studio]]</small>  
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<small>return to [[Green garage gardens]]</small>  
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[[Image:columbine.jpg|175px|right]]
  
 
=== What is It? ===
 
=== What is It? ===
 
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----
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* Urban Native Gardens refers to is the use of plants, including trees, shrubs, groundcover, grass which are indigenous to urban areas for use in urban gardens. Its intent is to blend property into the natural setting of the area.
+
* Urban Native Gardens refers to the use of plants, including trees, shrubs, ground cover, and grasses which are indigenous to particular areas for use in urban gardens. Its intent is to blend property into the natural setting of the area and to bring native insects and other wildlife back to the city.
−
* Also known as: Natural landscaping, Native and urban gardens.
+
* Also known as: natural landscaping, native and urban gardens.
  
 
=== Why is it Important? ===
 
=== Why is it Important? ===
 
----
 
----
 
Native plants:
 
Native plants:
 +
* require no fertilization
 
* are lower maintenance
 
* are lower maintenance
−
* are tolerant of tough conditions such as drought and poor soil
+
* help reduce erosion
 +
* absorb rainfall water - keeps water on site and not in storm sewers
 +
* are more tolerant of tough conditions such as drought and poor soil
 
* are better adapted to local climactic conditions
 
* are better adapted to local climactic conditions
 
* better able to resist the effects of native insects and diseases
 
* better able to resist the effects of native insects and diseases
−
* are less dependent on fossil fuels (due to lower maintenance)
+
* help reduce use of fossil fuels (due to lower maintenance - no mowing)
 
* instill an understanding of our natural world - its cycles, changes and history
 
* instill an understanding of our natural world - its cycles, changes and history
 
* provide an opportunity to work with instead of against nature
 
* provide an opportunity to work with instead of against nature
−
* give a gardener insight into seasonal rhythms and life cycles
 
 
* blend better in with natural surroundings
 
* blend better in with natural surroundings
−
* help reestablish what once went on naturally in the area
 
 
* help increase wildlife, such as birds, butterflies and pollinating insects
 
* help increase wildlife, such as birds, butterflies and pollinating insects
 
* preserve the natural history of the area
 
* preserve the natural history of the area
 +
* reduces annual costs (no fertilizer, rare watering, no plant replacement)
  
 
=== When to Use It? ===
 
=== When to Use It? ===
 
----
 
----
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* List the important considerations when to use this pattern.   
+
* First, spend some time examining your site. Look at available sunlight, determine soil type (e.g. sand, loam, clay) and existing moisture levels. Choose plants accordingly.
−
* When would it be sustainable? 
+
* Determine the space your plants will require (height and width) and see if there is a fit in your garden area.
−
* When would it ''not'' be sustainable?
+
* Many urban settings will require a more 'well-behaved' group of plants due to space limitations - consider this when making choices.   
 +
* After examining the points above, it's easy to see which plants are sustainable by observing how they grow. If they struggle, there is a good chance they need another location. Follow the mantra: right plant in the right place.
 +
* Some native plants form symbiotic relationships with microbes in their native soils. These plants may struggle in an urban environment even though everything else they need to grow is present.
 +
* This method is not sustainable if people are not available to follow the progress of the plants, or if the ground itself is compromised based on past use.
  
−
=== Green Garage Use of ?? ===
+
=== Green Garage Use of Urban Native Gardens===
 
----
 
----
 
===== Sustainability Goals =====
 
===== Sustainability Goals =====
−
* The specific goals we're trying to achieve. This should be the performance outcomes.  
+
* Our goal is to develop garden areas around the perimeter of the building (parking lot, front, back and alley) that contain at least 90% native species. (We are referring to plants that are native to Southeast Michigan).
−
* Strive to quantify if at all possible.
+
−
* It doesn't describe how...just the outcomes.
+
  
 
===== Strategy and Conceptual Design =====
 
===== Strategy and Conceptual Design =====
−
* Describe how we plan to achieve these goals
+
* Our overall strategy is "Right plant in the right place."
−
* Explain why we chose this specific strategy and design (our rationale)
+
** Begin with examination of sites to be developed, particularly with regards to sunlight.
−
* Include pictures, drawings or videos(flickr)
+
** Factors considered in plant selection
 +
*** native/non-native
 +
*** sun requirements
 +
*** moisture needs
 +
*** plant height and width
 +
*** season of bloom
 +
*** color
 +
*** manageability
 +
*** soil pH
 +
*** type of soil
 +
*** urban tolerance
 +
*** climate and micro-climate
 +
*** salt tolerance
 +
** develop plant lists on Google Docs form
 +
** take pictures of plant selections and place on artist's sketch of building's exterior
 +
** search for sources of plant material 
 +
* Plant Selections
  
−
* Supporting science:
+
<flickr>3597593511|thumb|center|Plants mapped out on sketch of front of building </flickr>
 +
 
 +
* Supporting science: We used a number of resources to check which plants were indeed native. Our primary resource was ''Landscaping with Native Plants of Michigan'' written by Lynn M. Steiner. The author defines native plants as "...what was growing here naturally before European settlement." Other resources we used are below. We decided that if one source listed a plant as native to Michigan, that was good enough for us. It is especially important to use local suppliers for native plants. These growers will have plants that have the right genetics to be adapted to local conditions. They are also a very good source of information.
 +
** [http://www.sustainablesites.org/ Sustainable Sites]
 +
** [http://www.mnppa.org/docs/mnppa_source_guide.pdf Michigan Native Plant Producers Source Guide]
 +
** [http://www.nativeplant.com:9673/nativeplant.com/nativeplant.com/Plant_List/Search/input Michigan Plants Database Search]
 +
** [http://www.maryannstrees.com/trees.htm Mary Ann's Michigan Trees and Shrubs]
 +
** [http://www.wildtypeplants.com/ Wildtype Plants] Mason, MI
 +
** [http://www.nativeplant.com/ Native Plant Nursery] Ann Arbor, MI
 +
** [http://www.glgi.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Eco-yardening Eco-Yardening] from Celeste Watts
  
 
===== Proposed Materials / Suppliers =====
 
===== Proposed Materials / Suppliers =====
−
* Identify (via links and short description) the materials and suppliers we propose to use.
+
 
 +
'''Plants'''
 +
* [http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=poIdcdytevB8nsFkm7xF8Qw Master Plant List]
 +
 
 +
'''Suppliers'''
 +
* [http://www.wildtypeplants.com/ Wildtype Plants] Mason, MI
 +
* [http://www.nativeplant.com/ Native Plant Nursery] Ann Arbor, MI
  
 
===== Development Story =====
 
===== Development Story =====
−
The [[?? - Development Story]] page contains many images and videos documenting the process used at the Green Garage to design, build and operate our ?? system.
+
The [[Urban Native Gardens - Development Story]] page contains many images and videos documenting the process used at the Green Garage to design, build and operate our native garden system.
  
 
===== Related Internal Links =====
 
===== Related Internal Links =====
−
* Help people find other related Green Garage pages that may help them.  Keep it tight.
+
* [[GG Garden Club]]
  
 
=== Resources ===
 
=== Resources ===
Line 56: Line 92:
 
* ''Landscaping With Native Plants in Michigan'' by Lynn M. Steiner
 
* ''Landscaping With Native Plants in Michigan'' by Lynn M. Steiner
  
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=== To Do's ===
+
[[Image:gg.jpg|right|150px]]
−
----
+
 
  
 
[[Category:site index]]
 
[[Category:site index]]
 
[[Category:One Earth Patterns]]
 
[[Category:One Earth Patterns]]

Latest revision as of 19:17, 31 October 2012

return to Green garage gardens

Columbine.jpg

What is It?

  • Urban Native Gardens refers to the use of plants, including trees, shrubs, ground cover, and grasses which are indigenous to particular areas for use in urban gardens. Its intent is to blend property into the natural setting of the area and to bring native insects and other wildlife back to the city.
  • Also known as: natural landscaping, native and urban gardens.

Why is it Important?

Native plants:

  • require no fertilization
  • are lower maintenance
  • help reduce erosion
  • absorb rainfall water - keeps water on site and not in storm sewers
  • are more tolerant of tough conditions such as drought and poor soil
  • are better adapted to local climactic conditions
  • better able to resist the effects of native insects and diseases
  • help reduce use of fossil fuels (due to lower maintenance - no mowing)
  • instill an understanding of our natural world - its cycles, changes and history
  • provide an opportunity to work with instead of against nature
  • blend better in with natural surroundings
  • help increase wildlife, such as birds, butterflies and pollinating insects
  • preserve the natural history of the area
  • reduces annual costs (no fertilizer, rare watering, no plant replacement)

When to Use It?

  • First, spend some time examining your site. Look at available sunlight, determine soil type (e.g. sand, loam, clay) and existing moisture levels. Choose plants accordingly.
  • Determine the space your plants will require (height and width) and see if there is a fit in your garden area.
  • Many urban settings will require a more 'well-behaved' group of plants due to space limitations - consider this when making choices.
  • After examining the points above, it's easy to see which plants are sustainable by observing how they grow. If they struggle, there is a good chance they need another location. Follow the mantra: right plant in the right place.
  • Some native plants form symbiotic relationships with microbes in their native soils. These plants may struggle in an urban environment even though everything else they need to grow is present.
  • This method is not sustainable if people are not available to follow the progress of the plants, or if the ground itself is compromised based on past use.

Green Garage Use of Urban Native Gardens

Sustainability Goals
  • Our goal is to develop garden areas around the perimeter of the building (parking lot, front, back and alley) that contain at least 90% native species. (We are referring to plants that are native to Southeast Michigan).
Strategy and Conceptual Design
  • Our overall strategy is "Right plant in the right place."
    • Begin with examination of sites to be developed, particularly with regards to sunlight.
    • Factors considered in plant selection
      • native/non-native
      • sun requirements
      • moisture needs
      • plant height and width
      • season of bloom
      • color
      • manageability
      • soil pH
      • type of soil
      • urban tolerance
      • climate and micro-climate
      • salt tolerance
    • develop plant lists on Google Docs form
    • take pictures of plant selections and place on artist's sketch of building's exterior
    • search for sources of plant material
  • Plant Selections

Flickr Error ( Photo not found ): PhotoID 3597593511

Proposed Materials / Suppliers

Plants

Suppliers

Development Story

The Urban Native Gardens - Development Story page contains many images and videos documenting the process used at the Green Garage to design, build and operate our native garden system.

Related Internal Links

Resources

  • Natural Landscaping Wikipedia entry
  • Landscaping With Native Plants in Michigan by Lynn M. Steiner
Gg.jpg
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