Gardening for most people is planting and growing annual vegetable crops which requires intense care to keep weeds and pests away for a better harvest. They are designed in rows of crops like the monocultures of large farms.

Yardening is a term that describes eliminating all lawns in small urban landscapes for diversity in plants that are attractive to neighbors but also birds, bees and butterflies. Historically yards were filled with cut flowers and vegetables as lawns were considered a waste of space.

“Meadow-scaping” is a term to describe the reduction of large suburban and rural lawns to create wildflower meadows with continuous seasonal flowering. Maintenance is required to keep invasive plants from taking
over.

The “No-Mow Movement” is simply to just stop mowing and let nature take over. Over time, the meadow will transition to woody shrubs and eventually trees. Rotate Mowing 1/3 of the area to keep woody plants controlled. Less mowing equals less carbon and noise pollution.  

“Food-scaping” is the design of edible plants to intermingle with your landscape. Blueberries, among other flowering shrubs, have bright red fall foliage that pops nicely with other ornamental shrubs. Kale has beautiful foliage and cherry tomatoes create delicate yellow flowers with bright red fruit mixed with a perennial pollinator attracting flower garden.

“Permaculture” or Edible Forests is the layering of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials and annuals which mimic the style of nature’s woodland edges. The plants benefit from this micro-environment from moisture retention, crowding out weeds, creating organic matter that feeds the soil micro-organisms. It becomes a beneficial working eco-system with less maintenance than a garden or urban farm.

“Urban Forestry” is the planting of native trees for environment to cool the heat island effects from paved surfaces. Increase carbon off setting, filter the air absorb pollution and give off oxygen. In addition to physical health, a green environment relieves stress and increases cognitive brain function. A dose of nature should be within walking distance of all city offices and residential areas