Low Impact Lands ...

Landscaping can require significant energy consumption at all levels, from the quarrying, processing and manufacturing of materials, transport, and construction to the use of water, electricity and horticultural chemicals. Landscaping Connections encourages the reduction of energy use through:

· Sourcing local materials where possible. This is not always practical or cost effective particularly with stone, timber and sculpture. Nevertheless, awareness of material sources and the energy and human resources required to get the products to you is a wise consideration. Always consider alternatives.

· Using recycled materials: recycled plastics, soil from sewage waste, etc.

· Energy conservation in construction is both an environmental and business issue because profit is maximized when both fuel input and material waste are minimized. For example, patterns for brick paving can be chosen to minimize cutting involving time, electricity, machine wear-and-tear, saw blades and, ultimately, left-over brick waste which then needs to be disposed of involving more time, energy and landfill.

· Where possible the plants chosen for a site should require minimal or no irrigation. Again, this reduces material and labour costs and doesn't rely on precious water. Of course, there are irrigation systems that recycle grey water, sewage or captured rainwater and this is a good approach to maintaining thirsty plants.

· As well, landscapers should endeavour to build organic systems whether for food, foliage or flowering gardens. Gardens that are dependent on chemical use are really a contradiction because a garden should be not only beautiful but also a safe, clean refuge.

· Electricity to power garden features such as lights, fountains or waterfalls can in some situations be derived solely or in part from other than grid power. The use of solar and wind-generated electricity is responsible and creative and it increases peoples' awareness of their consumption. When you sit by a water feature powered by the sun you become keenly aware of the sun's energy as well as satisfied that no coal or uranium is burned frivolously for your pleasure.

Landscaping need not be just exterior decoration although much of commercial design is still approached that way. It can also take into consideration our growing concerns about CO2 by creating low-impact, low-maintenance surroundings.

About The Author:

Val Ockert lives in Byron Bay, NSW, Australia and has for many years operated a landscaping business specialising in brick paving. Recognising the bewildering array of daily decisions we all make he is keen to simplify his own area of expertise. He can be contacted at val@landscapingconnections.com