Little Effort, Big Returns

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Little Effort, Big Returns
Brown bag, January 22, 2008

• Requirements for a low-maintenance home landscape
• www.novagardendesign.com

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low-maintenance landscapes
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more examples
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when creating landscapes

• I view gardens both as an extension of your
  house and as a part of the natural environment.
• I also design for low water use and apply the
  principles of XeriscapeTM

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XeriscapeTM (dry-scaping)

• Seven Principles
• Plan and design.
• Create practical turf areas.
• Use drought-tolerant and appropriate plants.
• Improve the soil.
• Consider mulches.
• Irrigate efficiently.
• Maintain the landscape appropriately.

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low-maintenance landscape design

• Four phases
• Plan
• Hardscape and turf design
• Planting design
• Maintenance

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plan

• DO
• Work with what you have.
• Know how you will use your garden.
• Compare this phase to planning to build a house.
• DO NOT
• Go into detail.

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hardscape and turf design

• DO
• Create a large patio/deck.
• Create multiple sitting areas.
• Use generous, sweeping lines to identify spaces.
• Create focal points.
• DO NOT
• Use turf as a filler limit turf to areas
  necessary for play and give it a distinct shape.

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focal point examples
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more focal points
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planting design

• DO
• Place the right plant in the right place.
• Plant groups of the same plant.
• Use flowering shrubs.
• Group plants with similar needs.
• Place plant material closely together.
• DO NOT
• Use too large a variety of plants busy means
  more work.

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some of my favorite plants
Rudbeckia
Erica
Echinacea
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more favorites
Santolina chamaecyparissus
Cistus Brilliancy
Erysimum
Nepeta Walkers Low
Lavandula angustifolia
Centranthus
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maintenance

• DO
• Amend soil with compost trees/shrubs (little
  compost), perennials (/- 50 compost).
• Keep main surfaces (lawn, patio, paths) free of
  debris.
• Mulch.
• Install appropriate irrigation. (Sprinklers
  and/or drip.)
• DO NOT
• Winterize the garden. Leave food/cover/protection
  for plants and interesting winter scenes.
  Winterize during the first sunny days of
  Spring.

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maintenance

• Your yard is an extension of your house. But
  unlike your house, you want to invite critters to
  help you maintain your yard and create a healthy
  environment.

Colchicum
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resources

• OSU Extension Service
• 1849 NW 9 th Street
• Corvallis, OR 97330
• Ph 766-6750
• extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening
• Local Nurseries
• Local Library
• Great Plant Picks
• www.greatplantpicks.org

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