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We received a call earlier this spring from a New Canaan pondowner with a morbid situation. The homeowner was instructed to apply various purportedly natural-source pond cleaning products into the small constructed pond on the property. This pond cleaner cocktail created some unknown reaction, and within thirty minutes, all the fish were belly up.

GJL was hired to restore the pond’s water quality; create a cascading stream into the pond; replant the adjacent hill with native perennials; and construct a pathway, staircase, and patio landing aside the pond.

Aerators and biological agents were the key to restoring the pond’s water quality, and the fish have been swimmingly ever since!

The stream waterfall was constructed using as much existing on-site stone as possible. The overall design adds drama and vibrancy to the previously lackluster pond area.

For the hillside adjacent to the stream, we first removed a gang of invasives including the notorious Mugwort, fleece plant, and other opportunistic species. The streambank was dominated by daylilies, which are aggressive self-seeders. We transplanted about 2/3 of them to surrounding beds, and reorganized some of the sedums as well to make way for new plantings.

The plant material was selected for successional blooms from spring through fall (late summer & fall pics to come!). Another criteria, as always, is the plant’s value ecologically for pollinators and other wildlife.

The pathway and grand fieldstone staircase replaced a crabgrass-y slope and makes the pond much more accessible and inviting. Drastic pruning of the lilacs across the pond brightened and opened up the space, making the pond and stream the focal point (if you can rip yourself away from the blooms!). See before & after pictures in the gallery below!

Ever step back and wonder how a trend came to be? Like fat free cookies, shoulder pads, and fidget spinners…were they good ideas that rapidly ran their course, or absolute absurdities that never should have taken off in the first place?

As landscape professionals, we can confidently say the #1 landscape trend in America is… LAWN! Nearly every residential and commercial landscape in America contains lawn. The ubiquitous turf knits together houses and neighborhoods in a bizarre dynamic of unification and cut-throat competition (whose yard most resembles a golf course?!). As journalist Michael Pollan, who has filmed and written about the American Lawn phenomenon, puts it:

“Like the interstate highway system, like fast-food chains, like television, the lawn has served to unify the American landscape; … France has its formal, geometric gardens, England its picturesque parks, and America this unbounded democratic river of manicured lawn along which we array our houses.”

What’s in a lawn? Precious resources.

In blanketing our massive national landscape in a uniform crop, with no regard for the local climate and hydrology, we’ve created a perpetuating cycle of environmental problems. Some staggering lawn statistics:

Lawn is the largest irrigated crop in America, occupying 40 million acres of land
30-60% of urban freshwater is used on lawns [source]
The typical American lawn uses 10,000 gallons of rainwater annually [source]
80 million pounds of pesticide active ingredients are used on U.S. lawns annually. [source]
90 million pounds of chemical fertilizers are applied on lawns annually. [source]
Lawn mowers consume over 800 million gallons of gasoline each year and produced 26.7 million tons of air pollutants annually. [source]

In an effort to homogenize our landscape and keep up with the Jones’, we’re over-nitrifying our waterways, polluting the air, destroying habitat, and by extension, contributing to biodiversity loss. Not to mention, all but squelching creativity and individuality in our landscape.

Or, in a more optimistic view – reducing the amount of lawn has the sunny potential of reversing these negative environmental and ho-hum design trends! That’s why ‘Reducing Your Lawn Area & Boosting Biodiversity’ is part of our 2018 Eco-Resolutions series.

Thankfully we’re not alone in this endeavor! National Wildlife Federation will certify your property as a Certified Wildlife Habitatif you meet certain ecosystem criteria.

To meet the certification, your property must have:

At least 3 forms of food:
- Seeds, berries, nectar, foliage/twigs, fruits, sap, pollen, suet, nuts, supplemental animal feeder
At least once source of water for drinking and bathing
At least two forms of cover/shelter:
- Wooded area, bramble patch, ground cover, rock pile or wall, cave, roosting box, evergreens, brush or log pile, burrow, meadow or prairie, dense shrubs/thicket, water garden or pond
At least two places to raise young, such as:
- Mature trees, meadow or prairie, nesting box, wetland, cave, burrow, dead trees, dense shrubs/thicket, water garden/pond, host plants for caterpillars
Employ sustainable strategies from two of the three categories:
- Soil and water conservation
- Controlling exotic species
- Organic practices

Is biodiversity decline really such a big deal?

You may be thinking – that sounds like a large undertaking. Can my yard really make an impact?

Yes.

The North American Bird Conservation Initiative recently reported that a third of the nation’s 1,154 bird species are considered “most at risk of extinction without significant action.” [source].
Additionally, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation found over a quarter of the nation’s 47 bumble bee species “face some level of extinction risk. [source].
Audubon’s 2014 Birds and Climate Change Report concluded that 314 North American bird species could lose more than half of their current ranges by 2080 due to rising temperatures.
To suppliment the pollinator decline, we’re now shipping bees from east to west in our country to support our agriculture. A staggering 30 billion per year to pollinate California’s almond crop alone! [source]

This alarming decline of biodiversity is attributed to habitat loss from development and agriculture, widespread pesticide/herbicide use, and global warming. As individuals these may seem like daunting issues to tackle; but with each yard that pledges to go organic and plant native, hardy plants that include a variety of food and shelter sources, a patchwork of habitat weaves together through the path of development, linking ecosystems together and building species resilience.

At Green Jay Landscape Design, we design ecological landscapes, meaning our design decisions are made with acuteness for habitat creation, year-round food sources, plant communities, organics, and storm water management. It is not just about picking the right plants (although that is essential, and we choose bio-regional natives wherever possible), it’s also about locating and grouping them appropriately so that wildlife feel comfortable utilizing them. The components are only as strong as the design!

We won’t hide the fact that we are always encouraging our clients to reduce their lawn area, because it is inevitably replaced with a garden that is more biodiverse and less resource intensive. Ditching the lawn is furthermore a step towards individuality – an opportunity to step outside the cookie cutter mold and design a landscape unique to your property, style, and environment.

Over the years we’ve learned a few things about designing for human and wildlife habitat. Below are our design considerations for each Certified Wildlife Habitat criteria.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS:

FOOD

Include successional sources of food so wildlife are provided for year round. Perennials may provide pollen, nectar and foliage in the spring and summer; their seed heads another food source in fall, later succeeded by shrub berries to carry through the winter.
Group plants in numbers of three or more – insects and birds like to be able to feed at length in one spot rather than flit around to numerous specimen plants.
Provide easy transitions from the edge habitat to other areas of your property – this mimics natural and safe environments for pollinators.
GJL Favorite Native Plants:
- Perennials: Wild Geranium, Milkweed, Golden Alexander, Cardinal Flower, Turtlehead, Blackeyed Susan, Goat’s Beard, Butterfly Weed
- Grasses: Little Bluestem, Big Bluestem, Switch Grass, Pennsylvania Sedge
- Shrubs: Inkberry, Winterberry, Chokeberry, Clethra, Bayberry
- Trees: River Birch, Flowering Dogwood, Serviceberry

WATER

Wildlife needs water for drinking and bathing. Adding a water source to your landscape will do wonders for your backyard habitat and create a focal point in your design.

GJL has experience in a wide range of water feature styles:

Ponds should have a pump, aerator, or waterfall feature to keep water moving. Stagnant water allows mosquitos to breed and can lead to eutrophication.
Create different depths in a pond with rocks and driftwood so birds and other wildlife have something to perch on. Build it and they will come!
Waterfalls’ soothing, cascading melodies are pleasing to humans and attractive to birds.
Consider a natural swimming pond, purified with bog garden plants, rather than chlorine.
For a smaller space, bird baths can have a strong ecological and stylistic impact!

SHELTER

We strive to mimic natural landscapes by creating layers of plant communities. For example, if you have existing mature trees on your property, consider under planting with understory trees and shrubs, to provide transitional plant material that help connect different elements of your garden. From a bird’s perspective, stopping from tree to shrub to perennial is much less intimidating than a long shot from forest perimeter, over open lawn, finally to pollen sources.

GJL favorite Native Plants:
- Maple Leaf Viburnum, Staghorn Sumac, Arrowood Viburnum, American Holly
- White and Red Oak, Eastern Red Cedar, Sugar Maple, Red Maple

SUSTAINABLE

For more tips on the final NWF criteria, employing sustainable practices, see our previous blog posts on organic yard care and storm water management.

Green Jay Landscape Design follows a holistic, organic land management program. Our background in ecology and horticulture guides us to consider the entire ecosystem when caring for plants. We never use synthetic chemicals because of their indiscriminate toxicity, ability to spread easily, and the hazards they pose to human health.

THE ISSUE: SYNTHETIC YARD CHEMICALS

According to the EPA, 80 million US households apply 90 million pounds of pesticides and herbicides to their lawn and yard each year. Lawns require fertilization, but the average homeowner over-fertilizes, using improper timing and application methods. As we discussed in our last post, storm water runoff can accumulate fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals as it flows into streams, lakes, and oceans. Harmful Algal Blooms in waterways are a concern, as the toxicity of yard chemicals on aquatic plants, fish and organisms. A USGS survey of 186 agricultural, urban and mixed-use streams found that “three-quarters of urban streams had concentrations of pesticides in water that exceeded one or more benchmarks for aquatic life” and half of all agricultural streams were contaminated.”

PESTICIDES & YOUR HEALTH

There are dozens of synthetic yard products on the market today, and finding accurate information about them can be confusing. A product’s EPA registration does not mean it is non-toxic, nor does it ensure that the effects of the chemical have been thoroughly studied. Often, industry-sponsored studies influence the EPA rulings, despite mounting evidence from universities and non-profits. Furthermore, “inert ingredients” are not required by the EPA to be listed on a product label or included in studies, despite their potentially synergistic, toxic capacities.

Landscape contractors must pass a test, obtain a license, and follow local regulations when applying pesticides. Homeowners, however, can purchase virtually any pesticide product and apply it themselves with no training or oversight. Buyer Beware! Pay close attention to the ingredients, instructions, lethal dose (LD50) and expiration date. Pesticide exposure can occur both dermally and through inhalation.

Here’s a quick overview of the most common yard chemicals and their risks. For a detailed chart, see Beyond Pesticides.

2,4-D: One of the most widely used herbicides ingredients in the world: 11 million pounds per year are used on residential landscapes. Associated with fertility problems, non-hodgkins lymphoma, endocrine disruption, and bladder cancer in pets Learn More.

Glyphosate: Active ingredient in Monsanto’s RoundUp—the most applied pesticide in the world. Acute exposure symptoms include burning, itchy eyes, blurred vision, skin rashes, nausea, sore throat and asthma. Chronic associations include non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, miscarriages, attention deficit disorder, and disruption of sex hormones. Learn More.

Clopyralid: Herbicide found in brand name products such as Transline, Tinger and Confront. Linked to reproductive issues, irritation to the eyes and throat, and permanent vision impairment. Given its water solubility, the EPA concluded clophyralid “has the potential to leach to the ground water and/or contaminate surface water”. Learn More.

Dicamba: Widely applied lawn herbicide, used on 3 million acres in the US. Linked to enzyme disruption (acetylcholinesterase) in humans and reproductive issues in lab animal tests. Learn More and more.

Contact your local Poison Control Center if you think you have symptoms of unsafe exposure to synthetics.

PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT

Most pesticides and herbicides affect more than their target species, killing essential microbiology, fungi and beneficial insects that make up a healthy soil. Chemicals can persist in the soil; in compost composed of a treated plant material; by vaporizing into the air on high temperature days; or by leeching into waterways during storm events. Clopyralid is extremely persistent in soils – the EPA detected it in soils fourteen months after application (bear this in mind when transitioning your yard off its chemical dependence can take several years).

Yellow pesticide warning signs indicate to stay off the sprayed area for 24 hours, however many chemicals remain transmissible for up to 48 hours. Many homeowners do not realize they track pesticides into their home on the bottom of their shoes and on pets’ fur. Once indoors, pesticides can persist for years, because they lack the heat and moisture of the outdoor environment required to break them down. Pets are of particular risk because of their grooming and sniffing habits, as are children because of their developing bodies and tendency to touch everything.

THE SOLUTION: GO ORGANIC!

Yes, you can go organic and still maintain a beautiful lawn and garden. The most important take away: sustainable organics is not merely a product swamp; it is a shift from compartmentalized management to holistic stewardship. That means instead of reacting to a problem, we strive to create the best growing conditions for each plant. When choosing products, look for the Organic Materials Research Institute (OMRI) stamp.

For Your Lawn:

Test Soil & Amend: Testing your soil is essential! Cornell, Rutgers and Uconn all perform soil tests through their cooperative extensions. After analyzing the results, we amend as necessary with products such as enhanced gypsum (aids nutrient uptake in clay soils), high calcium lime (raises pH), and green sand (aids in cation exchange of water molecules). Apgar is a local supplier.
Aerate – Aeration relives compaction, which occurs when the soil is so compressed that it lacks oxygen and water permeability. Roots cannot develop well in compacted soil. Construction and heavy foot traffic often result in compacted soils.
Mow High – 3 ½ – 4 inches is the ideal mow height. This length stimulates root-to-shoot growth and also shades the roots from the sun. Most turf grasses grown in the Northeast are cool season grasses, so maintaining cooler temperatures is essential. Use a mulching mower to mulch grass clippings – we use the Scag Hurricane Mulching system.
Fertilize Naturally – Grass clippings are the most natural and cost effective fertilizers for your lawn. The average lawn needs four pounds of fertilizer per year; by leaving clippings on your lawn, you can reduce fertilizer inputs by one lb.
Water Long & Infrequently – Most homeowners overwater their lawns (too frequently, for too short of a time). This encourages grass roots to stay shallow, instead of growing deeper to find water. Deeper root systems make your turf more resilient in times of drought and help curb erosion. An irrigation system should be modified to reflect plant maturity and season.
Compost & Bio-Stimulants – We choose Natural-Source products such a s bone meal, feather meal, chicken manure, and compost tea. These products are designed to aid plants in their nutrient uptake, by enhancing the soil with enzymes, fungi, beneficial bacteria and hormones. As you get further along in your organic program, you will likely need fewer amendments.
Re-Seed Often – We use a top shelf blend of thirteen varieties of Pure Live grass seed. Overseeing allows the hardiest grasses for your soil conditions to flourish, while crowding out weeds.
Rethink Clover – Clover naturally fixes nitrogen in the soil. Including it in your lawn mix will further reduce your fertilizer inputs.
Natural-Source Bio-cides: Pre-emergent, organic applications of products like ICT Organics Pre-Emerg help suppress crab grass and other broadleaf plants, without compromising the turf grass. Post-emergent products like HALO target dandelion, foxtail, orchard grass and more. Both these products are “EPA-exempt” meaning they are not considered pesticides.

For Perennials, Trees, and Shrubs:

Stop indiscriminate spraying of funcides on trees!
- Fungicides attack mycorhizal fungi which are absolutely essential for trees nutrient
Yucca can help with water absorption in clay soils (granular and liquid)
Compost & Bio-Stimulants – Choose a high quality compost – we source from Stone Barns Center For Agriculture. Quantum Growth, Plant Magic are great bio-stimulant products for building essential microbiology in the soil.
Choose an organic fertilizer like Nature Safe or North County Organics.
Transplant help – reduce the shock of transplanting, especially on hot summer days, with products such as Roots and BioPlex.
Biocides (granular and sprayed) such as garlic and vegetable oils can deter deer. We like Garden Girls Repellents Deer Free Winter Armor.
Prune appropriately – next season’s growth can be drastically affected by this fall’s pruning. Plants should be pruned in accordance with their growth and bloom patterns.

Depending on how long your property has been maintained chemically, it may take several years to completely detox your yard. Be patient, the Earth Thanks You

We all know the end of the year is a time for reflection and resolution making. However cliché, this is healthy and productive tradition that allows us to take stock of the past year, learn from our actions, and put forth new intentions. In that spirit, for the next seven days, we’ll provide you with Three Ecological Resolutions for 2018, grounded in a recap of environmental news and events of 2017.

2017 was definitely a rough year for the environment. With a climate change denier as Commander In Chief, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s biggest critic now at its helm, the stage was set for a year of assaults on the environment at a time when we need to protect it the most. In twelve short months, the Trump administration, upended 60 environmental regulations, approved the controversial Keystone XL and DAPL pipelines, and drastically reduced the size of national monumentscreated in the Obama administration while opening them up to private mining, extraction and ranching interests.

But fear not! Revolution starts in thy own backyard. There is so much we can do at the community and individual level to preserve and protect the environments we so cherish.

THE ISSUE: STORM WATER RUNOFF

It is no surprise that population growth and the associated development of once rural lands are impacting our environment. How and where we build matters. This year, Houston suffered the worst flooding in history, in part from record rainfalls from Hurricane Harvey, but also from urban sprawl, weak zoning regulations, and a disjointed storm water management strategy that failed to absorb some of storm surge.

Impervious surfaces are those that do not allow water to infiltrate into the soils (asphalt, concrete, roofs, etc); rather, they increase the flow rate of storm water by two to three times compared to vegetated areas.

In wake of the natural disaster, Texas A&M professor and flood plain management expert, Sam Brody lamented to CNN, “We need a broader strategy that protects areas with natural infrastructure like wetlands, which are still the best system we have to hold, store and slowly release floodwaters.”

Brody is right. Wetlands are an essential ecosystem from a biodiversity standpoint and a storm water management and remediation perspective (see our latest SlideShare for more on the value of wet meadows). If your property includes or borders a wetland, protect it. If not, there are landscape design solutions that can combat runoff and build ecological value.

THE SOLUTION: RAIN GARDENS & BIO-RETENTION

Bio-retention is a land-use strategy that employs the properties of plants, microbes and soils to control the quality and quantity of water on a landscape (Dunnet & Clayden, Raingardens 2007). Carefully selected plants are natural sponges: their root growth prevents soil compaction through aeration, allowing for greater water infiltration; microbial communities in the soil help plants’ roots uptake water and nutrients.

For the homeowner, bio-retention often takes the form of a rain garden. A rain garden is designed to gather water during a high storm event and allow it to dissipate into the soil. Otherwise, run-off collects pollutants such as oil, gasoline, pesticides, fertilizers, animal feces, sediments, heavy metals and bacteria along the way. Much of our current storm water systems are designed to collect water quickly and funnel it away from development, often into rivers, streams and oceans, or costly water treatment plants. This is a classic example of man vs. nature. Instead of maximizing nature’s own system of checks and balances, we pave and pipe our own ineffective ones. In 2018, let’s do better.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

If you experience flooding or ponding on your property, a rain garden might be right for you. Rain gardens are typically dug 6” deep and planted with a selection of native plants that can tolerate flooding and drought. Rain gardens are not water gardens! This is a common misconception. Your rain garden should drain in 6 – 24 hours, depending on the storm event; rain gardens are not ponds, and will not encourage mosquito breeding (mosquitos need much longer to lay and hatch eggs in water).

Construction of a rain garden at WCC’s Native Plant Center.

Uconn has a great resource for determining the impervious surface area of your property and calculating the rain garden area needed to absorb run-off. Your rain garden should be located in the path of run-off, such as near a gutter or downspout. However, if you have a basement, do not design your rain garden within ten feet of the building.

Test the infiltration rate of the soil in your desired location before going any further. Sandy soils drain the fastest, and clay soils are nearly impermeable. An infiltration rate of 1-2 inches per hour is ideal for a rain garden. Soil amendments such as gypsum and soil surfactant can aid in absorption. Often gravel or river rock are employed to prevent erosion near the run-off inflow and bordering over-flow areas.

Plant selection should consist of species that flourish in mesic soils – those that are neither excessively wet or dry. Generally herbaceous plants and grasses work best, but you can experiment with trees, shrubs and annuals too, as suits your design aesthetic. Natives are always preferable when possible – but more on that later in this series.

If you need assistance designing your rain garden, or a broader assessment of drainage on your property, call us to speak with our team of landscape ecologists about a consultation.

—

Green Jay Landscape Design

Where Design Meets Ecology

914-560-6570

I attended the Westchester County Government’s Pond and Lake Management Workshop at the start of the month and learned about the important work of the DEC in overseeing our public water bodies. Pond and lake management is a complicated issue that impacts many facets of the environment and our lives.

You may have heard about the Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) that closed eleven Hudson Valley lakes this summer, including two in Westchester. HAB describes a dense concentration of cyanobacteria, creating a distinctive, thick, blue-green muck on the surface of lakes. Cyanobacteria can be toxic and non-toxic, posing a risk to drinking water, human health, wildlife, and affecting lake recreation activities.

HABs are symptomatic of larger ecological imbalances, most significantly, nutrient overabundance that causes eutrophication. As with most environmental issues, treatment projects vastly outweigh prevention efforts in difficulty, cost, and effectiveness.

WHAT IS EUTROPHICATION?

You might remember learning this term back in EnviSci class… but here’s a refresher:

Eutrophication refers to an increased rate of organic carbon production, caused by increased primary productivity (plants and algae photosynthesizing).
It occurs in lakes after excessive inflow of nutrients, mainly phosphorus and nitrogen, which greatly boosts phytoplankton, aquatic plant, and cyanobacteria populations.
Just one pound of phosphorus can create 1,000 lbs of algae!
Eutrophication represents a huge ecological shift: only species tolerant of limited oxygen, warm temperatures, and high nutrient concentrations can survive.
Toxins produced by cyanobacteria can disrupt the nervous system, liver, skin, and eyes. Pets are also at risk.

Image courtesy of: Socratic.org

Main Types of HAB Cyanobacteria:

Microcystis	Produces Microcystin toxin; can be highly toxic	Forms late summer – fall
Anabaena	Produces Microcystin, Anatoxin; mid-level toxicity	Forms in spring & summer
Aphanizomenon	Produces Anatoxin and others; low-level toxin	Forms in spring & summer
Oscillatoria	Produces Microcystin, Anatoxin	Forms spring – fall

Three Main Toxins from HABs:

Microcystins

*Most common toxin in New York

Impacts liver

Produced by: Microsystis, Anabaena, Oscillatoria

Anatoxins

Impacts nerves; potentially fatal to dogs

Produced by: Anabaena, Aphanizomenon, Oscillatoria

Lipopolysaccharides

Skin irritants and allergens

Produced by most cyanobacteria

Maps courtesy of NY DEC.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY HAS THE LARGEST CONCENTRATION OF LAKES, PONDS AND STREAMS OF THE ENTIRE STATE!

That’s 620 beautiful, life-giving water bodies that we must actively protect. Eutrophication management practices can take years and require precise monitoring along the way to gage effectiveness and allow for modifications in the plan of action. Current solutions include:

Artificial circulation
Dredging
Chemical algacides (copper)
Chemical inactivants
Fish stocking
Other potential solutions, such as using barley straw as a physical barrier, are not legal in New York state.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU SEE A HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM?

Stay out of the water!
Keep pets away from the water Contact Department of Health if there is a beach
- harmfulagae@health.ny.gov
Contact the Department of Environmental Conservation
- habsinfo@dec.ny.gov (518)-402-8179
See if the bloom has already been reported or sampled: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/83310.html
You should also be aware of the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) plaguing Westchester water bodies. Check out that presentation by Catherine McGlynn, and learn to recognize the infamous Hydrilla, Water Chestnut and more.

BE PROACTIVE! LET’S REVERSE THE TREND.

In 2017, we halved the number of HABs in Westchester County, the first decrease since 2012. Keep it up! Let’s avoid the costly and invasive, symptomatic solutions to HABs & AIS. Prevention is our best bet here, before HAB toxins leech into our watershed. Here are some steps you can take at the household & community level:

?Reduce water use – ease pressure on your septic tank!
Repair leaky pipes
Install a double flush toilet & low flow showerheads
Don’t flush any trash or items down the toilet.
Reduce your nutrient footprint. Eliminate synthetic lawn fertilizers – we can transform your yard from toxic to organic.
Plant vegetation buffers along shorelines.
Rain water harvesting & recycling back into your landscape.
Fight Mud! Stormwater management on your property is essential
Plant more plants for erosion control. Install a Rain Garden to absorb storm water and beautify your property.
Report any suspicious sitings in your local lakes and ponds to the DEC and/or DOH.

If you need assistance with storm water drainage on your property, give us a call! (914-560-6570) We would be happy to design a beautiful and functional solution.

A huge thanks to all the wonderful presenters – Stephen J. Souza, Catherine McGlynn, Scott Kishbaugh, Jeremy Farrell – and to the DEC for organizing!

Jay Archer

President

914-560-6570

You may have seen us use the hashtag #WhereDesignMeetsEcology recently on our social media posts (and if you’re not following us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, you should be!) We’d like to take a moment to explain what exactly we mean, what sets us apart, and why you should care.

First, some context: for the past fifty years standard landscaping practices were short-sited, compartmentalized, and largely unimaginative. A formula developed for every house on the block: foundation plantings of mostly evergreens and uninterrupted, immaculate lawn everywhere else! Landscapes were designed for viewing from afar, not for interacting with daily. How boring, and what’s more, what a wasted opportunity!

WE BELIEVE THAT EVERY LANDSCAPE HAS GREAT POTENTIAL ON MULTIPLE LEVELS.

Yes, overall attractiveness, cohesiveness with the built architecture, and general curb appeal are all valid objectives for designing a landscape. We can do that, and more.

We can create habitats for vital insect species that are rapidly dropping in numbers; for birds, bats, bees, moths and butterflies. In a world of constant development, your backyard can be a safe haven for nature’s biodiversity. It doesn’t stop at the plants either! We specialize in Natural Stone Ponds, which can be filled with fish, frogs, turtles and other wildlife, or made larger for swimming. The water is always purified through bio–filtration by bog plants.

We can preserve our watersheds through responsible pond, stream and wetland management. Unchecked, wetlands can become monopolized by invasive species (Phragmites) and algae; stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitos and ticks, posing public health risks. Instead, we can use landscaping to improve our watersheds, by leveraging the natural bio-filtration and erosion control effects of wetland plants.

The importance of cultivating healthy soils cannot be overlooked. We start with a soil analysis, which informs our soil enrichment program. GJL uses only natural-source, non-toxic products; our aim is not to kill one life form to enable another. We work holistically, steeped in ecological principals, to produce soils rich in microbiology. A healthy soil supports happy plants that thrive, photosynthesize, sequester carbon dioxide and improve our air quality. They are essential in our fight against global warming and air pollution.

By eliminating the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and insecticides, we enrich local biodiversity. At GJL, we reject the old school of thought, where trees and shrubs were sprayed blindly with gallons of “preventative” chemicals every year, with no regard for the effects on habitat and water quality.

HOWEVER, DETOXIFYING YOUR LANDSCAPE REQUIRES FAR MORE THAN JUST A PRODUCT SWAP.

Instead, we design landscapes from an ecological perspective: nature has its own checks and balances for every pest, blight, and wily plant out there. Thoughtfully designed plant communities with rich layers of biology have natural immune responses. They respond and thrive together. Biodiversity is key.

Our aim is not just to increase your property’s species count. We want to enhance your experience with the landscape. Don’t just eye it from afar –go outside and experience nature! Watch a Monarch butterfly drink from a Monarta flower, hear the vibrations of the neighboring bees (it’s not called Bee Balm for nothing!), see the migrating birds stop by for a berry.

How many times have you gone outside to interact with your lawn? Reconnect with your wild nature. Know that your yard is safe for your children, your pets, and generations to come.

Our goal is to best manage your resources with the least disruption to the natural environment. The challenge is to create landscapes that can flourish in a time of climate change, seasonal irregularities, and weather extremes. Together, we can reimagine our land use to benefit ourselves and the environment: Where Design Meets Ecology.