The underbelly of my profession sometimes falls under the heading of design-build-maintain.
Aka, fox-designing-the-hen-house, cliche.
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Low front windows? Sure, design shrubs growing to 15', they'll need pruning 2x/year. Why design groundcovers, mulch needs replacing yearly. And the list grows: mowing weekly, fertilizer & chemical treatments, irrigation, annual beds.
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This type of landscaping has its place. Yet this type of landscaping is hardly low-maintenance & frugal. It just 'appears' to be. Mr. Testosterone-on-wheels-mow-blow-go-commodify-all-I-touch is happy to put you on contract. Again, this type of landscaping has its place, I get that.
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Why mention it? Because it's incredibly sad to my heart. Historic garden design feeds the soul, pollinator habitat, doesn't poison ground water, increases property value, reduces hvac expense, reduces maintenance, has little yearly expense, & etc....
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Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
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Pic taken at jobsite this month. I didn't do the original design decades ago. We've recently replaced mulch with groundcover at the foundation. Luckily part shade slows her plantings from fast growth. So, we did not replace them.
3 comments:
I love how you think about so much more than just the aesthetic of the garden. How much work vs. how much enjoyment is huge.
I like how you showed what is on the surface is not so upon a closer look. Intentional to create maintenance, or just to get a quick effect with plants that will get to large (willing ignorance), it's all pathetic. Glad we think alike...the whole package, not cute effects.
Tara! You are a gift to the world!
It is so true! (mow-blow-go)!!
I was actually shocked today!! (Our housekeeper was changing an exterior light bult; and happened on a "hornet's nest! stung 5 times!!)
I had to call 5 (Santa Barbara is not a big city! to find 1 "organic" pest control!
Cedar oil!)
He was so cool! And he walked all around, saw the chickens....etc......and said......"this is like a fairy tale!" You don't let the gardener trim these vines??
NOPE!! No mow (there is no lawn) no blow (omigod...not allowed for 30 years.....starting in Pasadena)!!!
Go is OK when they are finished!!
You are bringing the great things to the world!
Go girl!!!!
Penelope
ps your comments show your influence. Wonderful!!!
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