Less In and Less Out!
Steps to Sustainable
Design, Installation and
Management
Of Landscape Plantings
Terry L. Ettinger, Instructional Support Specialist
Department of Environmental and Forest Biology
Tim Toland, Assistant Professor
Department of Landscape Architecture
Growing Green Infrastructure Conference
Syracuse, NY
November 18, 2010
Every planting is an opportunity
Nursery Trade
United Nations Brundtland Commission - 1987
“meeting the needs of the present
generation without
compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their
needs”
Landscape plantings – The pinnacle of sustainability?
- Oxygen production/
carbon sequestration
- Nutrient cycling
- Trapping airborne
particulate matter
- Wildlife habitat
- Stormwater
management
- Energy conservation
- Mental health
- Economic
development
Less In, Less Out
If not for . . . . . . . . .
- Excessive/unnecessary
application of water,
fertilizer and
pesticides
- Introduction and
spread of invasive
species
- Significant energy
inputs associated
with production,
installation and
maintenance
Less In, Less Out
Energy as a driver…
image source: http://www.moenviron.org/pictures/smokestack.jpg
Energy as a driver…
- Little has changed in the way plants are produced and installed,
and landscapes maintained in at least fifty years. If anything,
the entire process has become more energy dependent!
Less In, Less Out
"The wars of the next
century will be about
water"
Ismail Serageldin, vice president of the World Bank
Manage water requirements…
Water Management
Fortunately, in the northeastern U.S. . . . . .
It does get dry, but . . . . . .
Manage water use…
Manage water use…
Right plant – Right place
What’s wrong with these pictures?
Less In, Less Out
Right Plant – right Place
Just a couple more . . . . . . . . . .
Less In, Less Out
Production practices
Traditional B&B and containergrown materials
- Energy and labor
intensive
- Potential for weed
infestations
- Potential for poor
growth
Less In, Less Out
Production practices
Shrub/Perennial Plugs
- Less energy intensive
- Often as large as #1 or
even #3 containers!
- Less expensive
- Less labor intensive
Less In, Less Out
Production practices
Bare Root
- Less energy intensive
- No potential for weed infestations
- Less potential for poor growth
- Much greater labor efficiency
- Much less expensive
- Good enough to start B&B and
container-grown plants, then
good enough for landscape
plantings?
- Not just for trees and shrubs – but
herbaceous perennials, grasses,
etc., as well.
Less In, Less Out
Installation practices – How hard can it be?
Less In, Less Out
Maintenance practices – landscape as nursery?
Less In, Less Out
Minimize maintenance conflicts…
Summary
- Cultural requirements
- Plant growth habit
- Production options
- Installation options
- Management options