Planning & Design - UC Agriculture & Natural Resourcesmgeldorado.ucanr.edu › files › 160138.pdf · 2013-01-29 · Planning & Design By Kit Veerkamp and Shilo Nielson 1/26/2013

Planning & DesignBy Kit Veerkamp and Shilo Nielson

1/26/2013

El Dorado County Master Gardeners Edible Landscaping Workshop 1

Planning and DesignShilo Nielsen, Landscape DesignerKit Veerkamp, Landscape Architect

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSIONAGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES EL DORADO COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS - 2013

Outline

Sustainability

The Planning Process

Design Considerations

Edibles for the Landscape


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Principles of Sustainability

Basic Premise:●"Gardening" should not be a

desperate, costly, wasteful response to a landscape that is designed to be dependent on constant care.

The Modern LandscapeLots of Lawn

Limited selection of trimmed shrubs growing in bare soil

Lots of Waste and Effort = UnsustainableLawns require mowing and fertilizersLeaves are removedTons of yard waste hauled off to dumpsHigh water use Contaminated run-off


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What’s the difference?Sustainable Landscapes

• Organic matter breaks down and provides nutrients to the soil

- Organic matter is either left or composted.

• Water percolates into the soil carrying nutrients to soil organisms and roots.

• Healthy plants develop natural defenses and beneficial insects moderate pests.

• Healthy landscapes provide habitat for wildlife.

• Native and adapted plants require much less water and are adapted to drought.

Conventional Landscapes• Organic matter is removed

- Compaction

- Nutrient deficiencies

- Economic and environmental cost of landfills.

• Water runs off roofs, hardscapes and compacted soils into storm drains - it's not treated!

- Erosion

• Plants are stressed and susceptible to disease and pest problems - fertilizers and pesticides usedfix the problems.

• Pesticides and fertilizers poison their targets... and more!

- Residues pollute local waterways, estuaries and bays downstream impacting fish and wildlife along the way.

• Generally require more water and not drought adaptable.

Sustainable Landscapes:Require little care & fewer resources● Energy● Water

Cost relatively little to maintain

Generate little to no waste

Good for the environment

Respects / improves the soil

Reduces use of hazardous and damaging chemicals

Provides habitat for wildlife


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Edible Landscapes

Edible Landscapes (cont.)

Image Source: Rosalind Creasy


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Where to Start

Site Evaluation

Soils

Climate

Topography

Site AssessmentAddressing Existing Conditions

Image Source: “Site Analysis” by E. T. Whyte


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Site Evaluation●Physical characteristicsExisting buildings & hardscape● Identify challenges (opportunities & constraints)

●Consider solutions

The Foundation: Soils

● Soil Types

● Soil Structure

● Humus

● pH

● Nutrients

● Soil Amendments

Compost

Green manures


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ClimateSun and Shade● Full sun● Partial sun/shade● Full shade

Wind

Seasonal Temperatures● Sunset Zone● USDA Zone

Microclimates

Topography

Slope● Flat, moderate slope, vs. steep slopes

Orientation● North, East, South, West

Drainage● Where’s your water going?


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What's Your Program? (Meeting Your Needs & Wants)

Family & ChildrenPetsEntertainmentAccessibilityStorageSeclusion / MeditationCirculation - How to get there from hereLawn?

Time, Money & Other Restrictions

Planting Seasonally

Maintenance● Mulching● Feeding● Weeding● Watering

Budget

Zoning & CC&Rs


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Practical Considerations

Exposure● 6 hours of sun

Size● Based on what and how much

Access● Beds 5’ wide maximum bordered by paths

Effort● How much time are you willing to put in?

Practical Considerations (cont.)

Selection● What grows well in my area?

Potential Pests● Deer, rabbits, raccoons??

Compost Pile?● Make it easy to get to and to manage


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Design Aesthetics

Scale & Line● Formal vs. informal

Other Elements (3rd Dimension)● Hardscape● Garden Structures● Garden Art● Water features

Keep the Off-Season in Mind● Edibles will be less bountiful in the off-season so consider

elements that will provide interest when things are fallow

Style, Scale & Line

Formal

Informal


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Style, Scale & Line

Style, Scale & Line


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Design Components

Hardscape●Driveways● Patios●Walks

Design Components

Structures● Arbors, Gazebos & Greenhouses

Fences & Walls

Hedges

Retaining Walls & Raised Beds

Water Features

Garden Art


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Dimensional Elements

Arbors



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Intermission

Guidelines for Edible Plant Selection

Major Considerations● Size – how big will that get? ● Form (Shape)● Spacing● Function● Foundation Plantings

Other Considerations● Texture (thick, thin, rough, smooth)● Color● Accent● Focal point


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Edibles for the Landscape

Fruit & Nut Trees● Standard, Semi-dwarf, Dwarf & Miniature Varieties● Espalliers● Pot-grown

Espalliered Fruit Trees


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Edible Hedges, Screens and Barriers

Bush cherry and plums

Natal plum

Roses (Rosa rugosa)

Rosemary

Currents & Gooseberries

Kumquats & Quince

Edible Hedges, Screens and Barriers (cont.)

Tall Brambles

Tall Veggies (Asparagus, corn, millet, sorghum)


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Edible Foundation & Border Plants

Consider exposure

Edible Foundation & Border Plants


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+Edible Foundation & Border Plants



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Edible Groundcovers

Edible Groundcovers


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Edible Vines and Climbers

Grapes

Kiwi

Melons

Beans

Squash

+ Edible Vines and Climbers


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Edible Flowers

Edible Flowers and more


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Edible Flowers and more

Questions?

Documents

Planning & Design - UC Agriculture & Natural Resourcesmgeldorado.ucanr.edu › files › 160138.pdf · 2013-01-29 · Planning & Design By Kit Veerkamp and Shilo Nielson 1/26/2013