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sustainable landscape design

How to Support Sustainable Gardening? Join Forces with the Highlands Biological Station

January 22, 2015

I have dedicated the bulk of my life to sustainable gardening in one form or another. My passion for plants inspired me to pursue – and obtain – a degree in botany from the University of Tennessee in the 1970s. My courses and educational contacts led me to a job at the Tennessee Botanical Gardens, which resulted in the receipt of a prestigious award for propagating a special species of Echinacea (Echinacea Tennesseensis). Thus began my passionate career as a botanist and landscape architect, or – as I like to say – my lifelong career as “a real plant geek.”

Highlands-Biological-Station
Source: Highlands Biological Station

Support Sustainable Living and Gardening at Highlands Biological Station

Part of any landscape architect’s job is educating clients through the process. I have worked as an expert educator, including a professorship at Clemson University where I taught landscape architecture and planning. I continue to travel the country speaking and lecturing for various plant- and landscape-related organizations. In addition to running a successful landscape architecture firm in Atlanta with my life partner, Hugh Dargan, I also lead and represent four states  – Alabama, Florida, South Carolina and Georgia – in conservation and national affairs legislation for the National Garden Club of America.

Through all of these life experiences, I have maintained a very close and hands-on relationship with the Highlands Biological Station, and now you have an opportunity to personally support the long-view mission of this unique enterprise. The goal is to transform the Highlands Biological Station into a more interactive learning grounds for children and adults. The final vision includes enthusiastic children, students, and groups making their way from the botanical gardens, through the southern Appalachian swamp, back to the classrooms at the new dam and then up to an event facility overlooking the lake where they can apply the micro-aspects of what they have learned to the greater, global picture.

Do you share Dargan Landscape’s goal of saving the planet one garden at a time? Support our collective dream of sustainable living and gardening at Highlands Biological Station by visiting, donating, or volunteering. Contact Highlands Biological Station or Dargan Landscapes to learn more.

 

Filed Under: Appearances, Lectures and Shows, Uncategorized Tagged With: Atlanta landscape architects, Cashiers landscape architects, garden design, mary palmer dargan, sustainable landscape design, timeless landscape design

Landscape Design Details: Pavers

December 30, 2013

Incorporating pavers into your landscape allows you to reduce your environmental footprint while also adding interest for a dynamic design. Available in various materials and styles, pavers can be used to design pathways or to create spaces for outdoor rooms while contrasting lush greenery and colorful flower beds.

Furthermore, pavers are a great sustainable hardscaping option for more eco-friendly landscapes. Permeable materials soak up rain and prevent runoff while naturally filtering water and adding to the groundwater table.

Whether you are looking to incorporate a dining table for eating and entertaining al fresco or lounge chairs for sunbathing and relaxing, pavers are the perfect way to achieve attractive and functional hardscapes for beautiful outdoor living spaces.

Atlanta landscape architects
Source: Stout Design-Build via Houzz

In this example, pavers are used to create stunning modern style living spaces. We especially love the interactive walkway design that extends over a pond with fountains jutting out from either side of the concrete retaining wall surrounding the entire space.

Cashiers landscape architects
Source: Huettl Landscape Architecture via Houzz

Pavers can be designed with grass, gravel, mulch or other materials in between based on your landscape and the look you want to achieve. This paver and lush grass design makes for a striking contemporary front yard design.

Charleston landscape architects
Source: Argia Designs Landscape Design & Consultation via Houzz

The size of pavers and pattern they are laid down can also be customized to your property and personal style. Here, long and narrow pavers are assembled in an artful design to add energy and movement to the courtyard of this contemporary home.

Atlanta landscape architecture and design
Source: Jeffery Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture via Houzz

Pavers can be traditional, too. The combination of natural flagstone and black gravel in this example are used to achieve a warm and rustic style walkway.

Cashiers landscape architecture and design
Source: Jeffery Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture via Houzz

No matter what the paver design is, you’ll have the peace of mind that surrounding plants and lawn areas will not be overwhelmed by runoff.

Charleston landscape architecture and design
Source: Shades of Green Landscape Architecture via Houzz

Are you ready to upgrade to a gorgeous, eco-friendly landscape or outdoor living space, complete with pavers? Dargan Landscape Architects offers an experienced team of designers that can help you achieve an exquisite landscape that heals the earth and enhances your property. Visit our website for more information on how we can help!

Filed Under: General Landscape Commentary, Landscape Design Tips, Uncategorized Tagged With: Atlanta landscape architects, Cashiers landscape architects, Charleston landscape architects, garden design, sustainable landscape design, timeless landscape design

How Healthy is Your Soil?

November 15, 2013

We’ve all heard the phrase “you are what you eat.” We need well-balanced, nutritious meals to feel and function best, and similarly, plants need healthy food to flourish, too. Healthy soil is essential for helping plants grow and thrive.

But how do you know if your garden’s soil is healthy? Checking the health of your soil can start with simple observation. The color of soil can say a lot about its condition. The more organic compound there is, the darker and healthier the soil will be. Soil texture should not be too thin and porous nor should it be sticky and dense. In other words, you don’t want sand, but you don’t want modeling clay either.

Earthworms and soil insects, as well as how difficult it is to dig in soil, are a few easily observable signs that soil may be too compact resulting in roots that grow horizontally instead of downwards. Specific symptoms of unhealthy plants can also point to soil deficiencies.

Checking the exact nutrient levels and acidity of soil will require a basic, inexpensive soil test kit. Another option is to send a sample to a soil laboratory, like the one at Colorado State University. The results, even if rudimentary, will reveal what amendments should be made to the soil.

Another factor that is essential to soil health is drainage. Even if there isn’t visible standing water, if soil is saturated, root systems will likely remain weak. Digging a one-foot hole,  filling it with water and measuring the depth at different time intervals is one strategy for testing soil drainage.

As Jared R. McKinley puts it, “Feeding the plants is only part of the production. For true sustainability and maximum flavor and nutrition, the gardener’s aim should be building a healthy soil ecosystem in which plants play a symbiotic role.”

Healthy soil is a must in order for gardens to thrive and be beautiful! Project by Dargan Landscape Architects
Healthy soil is a must in order for gardens to thrive and be beautiful!
Mountain Residence by Dargan Landscape Architects

Soil should not only be tested for the benefit of landscapes but for your own health, as well. Exposure to soil chemicals and contaminants can happen through direct contact with the skin, inhalation, ground water consumption and direct digestion.

For additional help achieving thriving plants and gorgeous landscapes, sign up to receive free worksheets, training videos and other valuable resources by registering with our Landscape Your Life website. Let us help you Heal the Earth, One Garden at a Time!

Filed Under: Landscape Design Tips, Uncategorized Tagged With: courtyard garden design, Landscape Design Tips, sustainable landscape design

Compost Your Leaves this Fall to Benefit Your Landscape

October 22, 2013

There are many things you can do with leaves after you’ve raked and piled them up (and let the kids jump in them a few times, of course). You can stash them in a hidden corner of your yard and forget about them. You can burn them. Or, you can bag them up and put the bags on a curb to be picked up by a city services truck.

But anyone interested in sustainability, gardening or environmentally friendly living would never miss an opportunity to use carbon-rich leaves in order to better their soil and benefit their landscape.

In addition to an increased awareness of the environmental benefits of composting, this gardening practice has become even more popular in many areas throughout the U.S. thanks to new laws that prohibit the dumping of leaves and clippings into landfills.

sustainable landscape maintenance tips
Source: J. Tallman Brothers via Houzz

There are three basic ingredients required to start a compost pile: Browns, greens and water. Browns refer to materials like dead leaves, twigs and branches. Greens include grass clippings, vegetable scraps, fruit scraps and coffee grounds. Your compost pile will need equal parts browns and greens. Check out the EPA’s list of What to Compost for more guidance.

When starting a compost pile, we suggest creating a bin-like structure five or six feet in diameter with simple chicken wire. Pile your greens and browns using a layering technique, making sure to keep it moist by watering along the way. The moisture levels must be just right, as your compost can’t be too wet or too dry.

But composting is more than creating a pile and letting it decompose on its own. You have to regularly maintain your compost pile to ensure it is active and thriving. In addition to being watered, compost piles need to be turned once or twice a month. By springtime, you’ll have a healthy additive to combine with your soil to help plants grow healthy and strong.

If you  would like a worksheet about “The Leaf Pile” please save your spot at http//www.landscapeyourlife.com

Will you add leaves to your compost bin this fall? Leave a comment below to share with us!

Are you interested in a master plan for your garden or perhaps a tune-up? Let the specialists at Dargan Landscape Architects help you get started with your next project. We’ll nurture your landscape and heal the earth while also beautifying your property. Let us help you hear Nature speak as we Heal the Earth one Garden at a Time!

Filed Under: General Landscape Commentary, Poppy's Environmental Tips, Uncategorized Tagged With: garden maintenance tips, landscape architecture tips, LIfelong landscape design, sustainable landscape design

Join Mary Palmer Dargan in LA this Weekend for Live Long and Landscape: Gardening for Health and Happiness

October 17, 2013

landscape architectIt’s going to be an exciting weekend at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. Mary Palmer Dargan will be the opening speaker for Live Long and Landscape: Gardening for Health and Happiness on Saturday, October 19th. The day’s seminar will discuss how gardening and healthy living are a match made in heaven.

For the early birds, the day will begin with a refreshing session of Yoga in the Garden, led by Candyce Columbus, who leads Yoga in the Garden classes at the Arboretum on Tuesday mornings, Thursday evenings and quarterly sessions on Saturdays. After that, we’ll dive into discussions on how your health can benefit from gardening.

Mary Palmer will share how to “Turbocharge Your Landscape for Health and Longevity” by discussing eight key points to a healthy and inspired landscape based from her new book, “Lifelong Landscape Design.” In the discussion, she’ll cover topics such as horticultural therapies, as well as sustainable landscape design and how integrating sustainable practices into your daily life is just as essential as many of our other daily tasks that promote overall health and well-being.

landscape design book by Mary Palmer Dargan

The event will also feature lectures on ideal fruits and vegetables to grow in California gardens, landscape feng shui, how to use gardening as a way to workout and herb gardening. Guided garden walks will also take place, as well as book signings and lunch.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the beautiful Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden and discussing how gardening and healthy living go hand-in-hand this weekend. For more information on the event or to register to attend, visit the event website or call 415-441-4300.

Filed Under: Appearances, Lectures and Shows, Uncategorized Tagged With: dargan landscape architects, Dargan lectures, garden design lectures, LIfelong landscape design, sustainable landscape design

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