Ecological

Gardening Ecologically…

Good news!  Did you know that, if done correctly, the way you landscape your property can save you money and lots of it?  For instance:

  • By shading your home with trees, you can realize a 10%-50% savings in air conditioning costs and 20%-50% savings in total energy costs according to the USDA Forest Service and the American Public Power Association.
  • Adding trees (just trees) to your property will increase its value by 10%-20% above those of your treeless neighbors (just ask any home builder or Realtor for confirmation of this).
  • The net cooling effect of just one well placed young shade tree in your garden is equivalent to ten room sized air conditioners operating 20 hours per day according to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
  • Do you have water problems on your property?  Just one mature shade tree can reduce storm runoff (or standing water) by at least 4000 gallons/year by absorbing water through its roots.

In addition to the direct pocketbook benefits a good landscape plan provides,

your actions have much wider social, community, environmental and ecological ramifications, even at the level of one residence…..yours included.  For example:

  • Adding a rain garden to your property helps reduce storm runoff, helps to recharge and filter ground water while promoting ecological balance and environmental health.  (This directly effects how much money your community needs to invest in ditches, sewers, treatment plants, etc. along with how much you pay in taxes to pay for all that service/infrastructure).
  • Many plants worldwide are becoming vulnerable to or threatened with extinction. You can promote species diversity by providing a home for one or more of these plants, some of which are southeast natives.
  • Trees, soil and all vegetation absorb CO2, which allows you to reduce your carbon “footprint”and cool the atmosphere.  Additionally, green plants give off oxygen as a byproduct of transpiration.  One acre of forest for example, produces enough oxygen to meet the annual needs of eighteen people.

This is just the tip of the ol’ iceberg.

There are many other environmental and ecological issues that you as a single property owner can impact positively by, as they say “thinking globally, acting locally”.  These include providing habitat’s for a variety of birds, beneficial insects and other creatures, soil restoration and erosion control, water quality and conservation, solid waste management (by composting),  planting heritage vegetables, fruits and perennials to help stop the precipitous loss of genetic diversity worldwide, etc.

So whether you’re concerned just with pocketbook issues, dollars and cents, or have a somewhat wider perspective, the next step is to act.

As the creative talent and landscape architect behind the Lehmann Design Group, I have decades of experience in all of these issues.  I can provide you with the design expertise to produce a masterplan to save you money, to help heal the planet, or both.

Whether its landscape planning, design or consultation, the Lehmann Design Group. has the experience to meet your objectives.  Remember too that these various objectives can all be met very conservatively….without turning your place into a park or botanical garden!!

Your home is a very substantial investment, likely your largest asset.  The Lehmann Design Group, Inc. is the company you can trust with your home, family, budget and environment in mind.

Be real smart and plan ahead.

Give me a call and let’s talk.