Landscape Design Workshop
By Kim McCue UCCE Master Gardener
As gardeners we strive to create an outdoor space that is beautiful, teaming with wildlife, water efficient, bountiful, and sustainable. By marrying form and function in your landscape design, you can successfully achieve your gardening goals.
A water wise landscape can also be a lush and verdant one. By utilizing sound water conservation practices and selecting plants that thrive in low water environments, your landscape can be one that explodes with a riot of color or exudes the cool tones of an alpine meadow. The use of color, line, form, and texture provide ample beauty and interest even in a water thrifty landscape.
Edible plants provide a welcome bounty and visual interest in a well-planned garden. Historically, fruit trees and food plants were common fixtures in the landscape. During the 20th century, however, edible plants were relegated to the backyard vegetable plot or orchard, if they were planted at all. Fortunately, food plants are working their way back into modern landscape designs. From tomatoes and artichokes in the perennial border to espaliered apples and pears on the fence line, we are enjoying the aesthetic value of edible plants as design elements in the landscape.
Encourage the presence of wildlife in your garden by incorporating native plants into your landscape design as well. Native plants attract fewer problem pests than their non-native contemporaries. Instead, they are part of the ecosystem that provides food and shelter for birds, native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. By designing a landscape that includes native plants, you'll provide an environment that helps to sustain our native fauna and will have little need for pesticides or fertilizers.
At the Advice to Grow By workshop this Saturday, you will learn how to implement design strategies to create a garden that is beautiful, functional, and that provides an inviting space for you and yours. Join us from 10 a.m. until noon at the Garden of the Seven Sisters, 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo. We will tour the garden to examine various design elements so bring a hat and sunscreen.
Are you interested in becoming a Master Gardener? Watch for our article on October 21 and October 28 with details about how to become a Master Gardener, our informational meeting, and more!