Our Landscaping, in the Big Scheme of Climate

by | Feb 8, 2024 | Climate Action Committee

Today we’d like to talk about a good starting plan for landscaping modification, with some observations from Doug Ross, who is offering vital know-how and experience.

This task is important to do, and it will bring rewards. Here’s why.

The Climate Action Committee notes Pennsylvania State Representative Melissa Shusterman’s proposed “Lawncare Taskforce to Combat Emissions.” As an aside, can we find less bellicose vocabulary? It seems our society wants to combat or to war on something to prove we take it seriously. As a matter of peace-seeking, we want to work with and preserve our climate to the extent possible, not fight its attempt to seek balance, right?

OK, back to the matter at hand.

A few weeks back, rep. Shusterman wrote in an email blast: “Did you know that operating a commercial gas leaf blower for one hour releases the same amount of air pollution as driving a car for 1,100 miles?” PennEnvironment’s recent study on the impact of leaf blowing came out with “staggering” data that prompted Shusterman’s mission “to phase out gas-powered equipment without impacting businesses and jobs”—a mission that Radnor Meeting could get behind.

A Radnor Meeting Pollinator Patch: Less Gas, More Bees

The Landscape Committee has been communicating about creating a beautiful demonstration wildflower patch. A starter wildflower garden will benefit pollinators and effectively absorb storm run-off.

Keith suggested a modest strip along the playground fence, visible on a walk to the First Day School and Montessori School.

Doug intends to put leaf cover on a small patch, and carry out early care and perhaps a bit more planting, perhaps in collaboration with Main Line Montessori.

As this unfolds, we can project the work through social media, maybe even for the Radnor Township newsletter…And we can keep our sights on a local Eco-Friendly Yard award to bring attention to our work and the township’s. Surely the township should be encouraged for what it’s trying to do.

Phasing Out the Mower

About getting past the leaf-blowers and lawn chemicals, Doug says:

The best solution is to turn most of your lawn into a no mow zone, meadow or best of all into a wildflower preserve. Ironically, the wildflower preserve turns out to take the least amount of time and energy in the long run when compared to all the alternatives—including regular lawns. Here I must emphasize the LONG RUN since properly establishing an attractive and functioning wildflower garden requires care and attention in the first year. Usually it takes a couple of years for the plants to develop a deep root system and to become thick enough to prevent space for weeds to invade. After becoming established the wildflower plot is very low-maintenance.

Great to know what we’ll be looking at. This plot will need to be mowed only once a year (probably after the birds have taken advantage of the seeds over the winter), explains Doug.

Doug plans to bring a mix of resilient wildflower seeds designed to blossom from late May to October. Doug is asking for a helper and a small load of mostly weed-free topsoil.

“Thanks for spreading the word about the importance of fall leaves!” writes Doug. Take a look at the great synergy with Doug’s work at Foulkeways:

Our Environmental Stewardship Committee here at Foulkeways is making some progress in spreading the “Leave leaf lie philosophy” as well as expanding our no mow zones, meadows, wildflower gardens, and “Tiny Forest” areas (that rely on leaf mold mulch until our ground covers are well established).

The Year of the Dragon could be a great one for environmental awareness at Radnor. Let’s go!

On 8 Feb 2024, Doug sent this update:

After consulting with Keith, we agreed that I could establish a small demonstration wildflower patch outside the playground fence. About a month ago, my friend and Foulkeways neighbor, Mary K. Lyman gave me a ride to Radnor (on her way to visit a nearby friend). I proceeded to remove the turf and weeds from an approximately 2′ by 8′ strip. I hauled the turf and weeds down the hill to the woods, spread out the material and covered it with leaves. I mixed in a bucket of compost from Foulkeways and a few buckets of loam that I dug out from under the leaf piles in the woods. I raked out the area carefully and spread a mix of perennial wildflower seeds that are endemic (native) to this region. Then I spread some shredded leaf mulch over the whole area. Even though the area is nestled in a line between two groups of shrubs, I pounded in stakes to which I tied a green string to signal the mowers to stay out until early next spring (for the annual mowing). In any case, I believe Keith has informed the landscape contractor to avoid mowing the designated area until next spring. I completed my work by weeding the nearby beds.
 
Knowing that in the first season, perennials put more energy into establishing roots than putting out blossoms, I returned last week and sprinkled two types of seeds from self seeding annual plants. This will ensure color in the first season. While I was there I noticed the string had been cut and one of the stakes fell down. I repaired the damage, but hopefully someone who is more local can bring a heavier mallet or hammer to pound the stakes down more firmly.
 
The seeds will scarify during the remaining cold weather and should germinate after an extended warm spell heats the soil. After the plants have grown several inches, the plot will benefit by fifteen minutes or so of weeding. Hopefully the spring rains and nourishing soil will produce a pleasing display for humans, but more importantly a haven for pollinators.
 
One final note is the distinction between wildflower garden and meadow. Generally weed/turf removal is more thorough when establishing a wildflower garden. However, the biggest difference is that the higher density planting of colorful wildflowers can be expected to require less maintenance to keep out invasive weeds than is the case for meadows. My hope is that the learnings from this project will guide Radnor Friends to find ways to replace lawn areas with more ecological uses.
Blessings
Doug

 

 

[Banner image: Bumble bee on bright yellow wildflower in a Pennsylvania meadow, by Lee H.]