This document discusses how to design eco-friendly gardens by following nature's lead. It recommends eliminating chemicals and pesticides, using natural mulch and compost, planting natives to support pollinators, reducing lawns, and incorporating edibles, rain gardens and other water-saving techniques. Specific projects are highlighted that transformed yards and parks into more sustainable landscapes through habitat restoration, materials recycling, and increasing biodiversity.

1. Designing Eco-Friendly Gardens – Following Mother Nature’s Lead by Risa Edelstein

2. landscapes and gardens are changing WHY ?

3. The green building movement is exploding

4. more attention to our health issues

5. ...and the health of our pets

6. ecological issues Bees – colony collapse disorder Bats – white nose syndrome

7. food security

8. We want to part of the solution

9. Where do we start? One step at a time.

10. Eliminate chemicals + pesticides

12. Estimated $44 billion business for Monsanto

13. Scientists are proving that it causes birth defects, infertility, etc.Is it worth the risks?

14. Backyard Composting

16. Natural Mulch

17. Fake Mulch

19. Leaf mulch becomes compost with a lot of nutrients = free fertilizer

20. Mince in the fall – with a mower or leaf blower

21. Leaf mulch stays in place – good during rain showers

23. I need your leaves!

24. compost + leaf mulch = healthy soil healthy soil = nutrients + soil life healthy soil is the secret to healthy gardens and lawns!

25. Reduce Lawns + Go Organic

27. EPA estimates that 80 million homes dump 90 million lbs of pesticides & herbicides on lawns

28. Americans spend $30 billion a year on lawn care

29. Predictions that 50% of our lawns will be organic in next 5 years!

30. Visit lawnreform.org or safelawns.org for more info

31. Visit ELA & NOFA AOLCP for providersGoing Organic is Easy – DEMAND IT!

32. Plant more wild gardens MESSY IS OK!!!

37. Plant Natives Natives = Habitat + 4-Season Beauty habitat = bees, butterflies, birds!

38. local pollinator conservation

40. Scientists are documenting dramatic declines in native pollinator populations

41. Pollinators are essential for flowering - supports plants that birds and animals need for food

43. Source: in2n8r Virginia Creeper hosts Sphinx Moth + fall color

48. red raspberry

49. yellow raspberry

50. black raspberry

51. lowbush blueberry

52. highbush blueberry

54. Attracting Native Pollinators, Xerces Society Bringing Nature Home, Douglas Tallamy Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East, Carolyn Summers

55. http://www.nwf.org 1. Food Source - For example: Native plants, seeds, fruits, nuts, berries, nectar 2. Water Source - For example: Birdbath, pond, water garden, stream 3. Places for Cover - For example: Thicket, rockpile, birdhouse 4. Places to Raise Young - For example: Dense shrubs, vegetation, nesting box, pond Sustainable Gardening - For example: Mulch, compost, rain garden, chemical-free fertilizer 130,000 yards certified!

56. N A T I V E P L A N T S

57. water conservation

58. smart irrigation

60. Rule of thumb: 1” per week

61. Rain sensor

62. Drip irrigation in beds

63. Audit system each season for leakage and damage

64. Seasonal adjustments – spring, summer, fall

67. Rain gardens reroute runoff from downspouts & parking areas

68. Rain gardens are shallow depressions that allow stormwater to percolate and recharge groundwater

69. Percolation allows water to be filtered from contaminants

72. Garden in the Woods

73. local materials & recycling

74. Case Studies

75. Front Yard

78. Backyard Makeover

79. erosion issues invasives: Bittersweet & Norway Maple multiple micro-climates: shade, full sun

80. hillside meadow plant diversity supports wildlife habitat

86. Front Yard Makeover

88. Removed all of the lawn

89. Recycled & local material – granite, fieldstone, brick

90. Compost

91. Leaf mulch

92. Drip irrigation

95. instant habitat

96. fall color

97. Fortune – Best Place to live screen shot

98. Park Makeover

101. 50 native plant varieties

102. dry creek

105. Safety buoys recycled as sculpture

106. one step at a time

109. edible trees

111. woodland habitat + recycled brick

112. recycling granite

114. Risa Edelstein ecological landscape designer www.risaedelstein.com617-710-8157redelstein@comcast.net