Green Jay Landscape Design

Green Jay Landscape Design

(914) 560-6570

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What is ecological landscaping? What’s the best time of year to get started with your garden? Which types of grass and plants grow best in our area? Is there an organic way to deal with issues like pollen, flooding and insect problems? What kinds of edible plants grow best in our gardens? What tips do you have for growing house plants?

These and other questions were posed to Jay Archer, owner of Green Jay Landscape Design in May of 2015 by Maura Carlin and Mike Witsch of “Local Live”, a talk show program created for Rye NY, Mamaroneck NY, Harrison NY, Larchmont NY and the surrounding communities. Here’s a quick summary of the questions and answers in this video interview. It’s not meant as a substitute for viewing the interview, but just as a summary.

Q: WHAT IS ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING?

A: Landscaping that embraces nature. Landscaping in which we participate with nature instead of being separate from or opposing to nature. For example, instead of removing leaves, compost them back into your lawn and garden. This puts back into the soil the organic matter we’ve been removing over the last 50 years. This is organic, natural fertilizer. On the other hand, when we use blowers to remove leaves, we also blow away the garden’s top soil over time.

Q: WHAT’S THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO GET STARTED WITH YOUR GARDEN?

A: 5:00 this evening. Start to change your life today. Begin organic gardening. Reduce the size of your lawn. Stop applying pesticides and toxic chemicals to your lawn and garden.

Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TYPES OF GRASS THAT DO WELL IN RYE NY, MAMARONECK NY, HARRISON NY, LARCHMONT NY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES?

A: The most productive grass seed (Improved Perennial Ryegrass) is grown in Oregon, which has a climate similar to ours in New York and Connecticut. When it comes to plants, the best thing you can do is create bio-diversity (plant various species). You’ll end up attracting butterflies and birds. Bring in more native plants.

Q: WHAT ARE NATIVE PLANTS TO THIS AREA?

A: One example is milkweed (butterfly weed). This plant provides food for butterflies.

Q: HOW DO YOU REDUCE POLLEN?

A: Irritation to pollen is an indicator our immune systems are not what they should be. Pollen didn’t bother the Native Americans. Reducing chemicals and pesticides supports healthy immune systems.

Q: HOW CAN WE DEAL WITH WATER PROBLEMS AND FLOODING?

A: Plant rain gardens instead of the great American lawn. For example, French lilac helps absorb water.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME EASY EXAMPLES OF VEGETABLES YOU CAN GROW IN YOUR GARDEN?

A: Blueberries and raspberries are easy to grow. Go to “Gardens Alive” and purchase a little hoop that will screen your berries from deer during the 2 weeks the plants are producing.

Q: PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE TROUBLE WITH TOMATOES. WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST?

A: A lot of sunlight, good soil. Stone Barns in Westchester is the greatest source of soil on the East Coast.

Q: HOW DO YOU TELL GOOD SOIL SUPPLEMENTS FROM BAD?

A: Guaranteed analysis. Consult Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Q: HOW CAN YOU TELL A PLANT FROM A WEED?

A: It’s in the eye of the beholder. We have clients who want us to leave weeds in their lawn. These bloom, add to the natural look.

Q: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PLANTS INSIDE THE HOME?

A: We created a vertical “living wall” in our home. 1 square foot of plants will clean 100 square feet of air in the home. We also built an eco-terrium with living plants and frogs. This both helps clean the air humidifies the home.

Q: WHAT ABOUT BUGS THAT IRRITATE PEOPLE?

A: Bio-diversity is the answer. Because of the diversity of song birds, damsel flies…etc. in the wet lands adjacent to our home, the mosquito population is naturally controlled. Unhealthy deer spread tics and Lyme disease. A good coyote population, returning to our area, helps control this problem.

Q: HOW DO YOU PROPERLY TRIM HYDRANGEAS?

A: Hydrangeas are woody shrubs. Don’t trim them too low. Get professional advice.

Q: HOW DO YOU TRIM RHODODENDRONS?

A: Don’t cut the buds. Water properly based on the climate conditions. Last year rhododendrons got too much water. This year we’re in drought and they’re not getting enough.

Jay Archer, President

914-560-6570

jay@greenjaylandscapedesign.com

Dethatching Your Lawn – Why Dethatch?

When a lawn is left untended, it begins to collect a gradually thickening layer of debris, roots and dead grass just above the soil surface. This layer will begin to block out water and air from the lawn’s root system, and it also harbors disease and pests which can damage the lawn. Dethatching is the act of removing this unhealthy debris layer.

Dethatching Your Lawn – When to Dethatch?

Fortunately it’s pretty easy to check the thickness of the thatch layer. Work your fingers into the grass, you’ll feel the layer. If it’s 1/2 inch or more, it’s time to dethatch. To maintain a healthy lawn, you’ll probably need to dethatch once a year. There should be about 45 days of good growing conditions after you dethatch so the grass will recover without weeds taking over. Late spring to early summer is normally the safest lawn dethatching time period. You don’t want to dethatch when there might be a freeze or a drought in the next 45 days.

Dethatching Your Lawn – Tools to Use

If you want to turn the project into an extreme marathon body workout, go ahead and use a dethatching rake. For a shorter moderate body workout, rent a dethatching machine (see the movie below). On the other hand, if you’d rather get your workout on the golf course, call us at 914-560-6570!

Dethatching Your Lawn – Watch a Demo

Dethatching Your Lawn – How to Use a Dethatching Machine

The dethatching process is pretty simple. Your goal is to cut the turf just below where the roots begin without disturbing the soil any more than you need to.

HERE’S THE BASIC DETHATCHING PROCESS:

  1. Set the blades to about 3 inches apart for most lawns in the Northeast.
  2. Run the machine back and forth across the lawn, then make a second set of rows perpendicular to the first.
  3. Rake up the debris and run the machine again across any areas that you missed.

You’ll know you’re finished when you can’t see any grass (as in the movie). Don’t worry, your lawn will grow back healthier than ever without that smothering, pest and disease-ridden layer of thatch.

You may also consider aerating your lawn a couple times a year, but that’s a subject we’ll cover in another article.

Again, unless you’re really looking to do your full body workout on your lawn instead of on the golf course or some more enjoyable venue…

Call us if you have questions as to the proper timing, equipment or you’re just wondering whether your lawn needs dethatching.

Jay Archer, President

914-560-6570

jay@greenjaylandscapedesign.com

 

Finally, Spring has come to the Northeast! Isn’t it amazing how a simple thing like driving down the road or strolling up your home’s entrance way is an entirely different experience than it was just a month ago? Trees are budding, daffodils are popping up, it feels good again to be outside!

Organic Gardening – Healthy Soil Promotes Life

At this time, our thoughts naturally turn to the yard and garden. We imagine what the garden will look like in another couple months when it’s in full bloom. What does the garden need at this time, in order to grow into its most healthy, spectacular fullness? Instinctively we know that brush and dead wood need to be carefully removed. And, the soil needs attention. Proper feeding helps ensure a beautiful garden.

Choice of Organic Fertilizer Is Key

So, let’s talk about the soil. What kind of attention do we need to give to promote the life-giving quality of the soil in our garden? Before you go down to the garden center and purchase a popular fertilizer, take a moment to consider the impact of your decision.

 

 

How we treat the soil on a large scale affects the earth in a big way. For example, California is experiencing a terrible drought and has just one year’s water supply left. Imagine no longer having the amazing array of fruits and vegetables and healthy foods that come from California farms? Other areas of the planet are experiencing similar issues, and desertification of entire regions is on the increase.

Promoting Water Retention – Reversing Earth’s Desertification

What does your choice of fertilizer and care of the soil have to do with huge issues like desertification? Everything! The major decision is whether to continue to go non-organic with chemical fertilizers, or organic. Organic fertilizers like compost and mushroom mulch not only take carbon out of the air, but allow the soil to make better use of the water it does get. This is referred to as “sustainable agriculture”.

On a global scale, sustainable agriculture can sequester carbon and ameliorate climate change/global warming.

 

Help Support Earth’s Natural Soil Production

Please take some time to watch this beautiful movie, Symphony of the Soil , produced by Deborah Koons Garcia. It’s an official part of the UN International Year of the Soils and is moving people the world over to recognize the precious, fragile nature of our planet’s soil, the wonder of how the earth’s soil is created and how sustaining its life-giving quality through organic gardening and farming can help reverse desertification globally.

4 Great Benefits of Organic Gardening

When you go organic in fertilizing your garden, you do a number of things that support a healthy earth:

  • Your garden itself is more healthy. It needs less water, is less likely to dry out on a hot July day.
  • Every year, the soil in your garden becomes richer and healthier instead of becoming more depleted.
  • When you decide not to use harmful pesticides, you begin to notice the butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects returning to the garden.
  • You show your love for the earth and the soil that gives life to the plants we love and need.

 

 

A Call To Action

Please join me this Spring in making a commitment to go organic and only put into the soil that which sustains life and promotes the health of the planet.

Would you like help converting your landscape into a life-sustaining organic landscape?

We’re committed to creating and maintaining beautiful organic landscapes and would be happy to help you with ideas, design and creation.

Jay Archer, President

914-560-6570

jay@greenjaylandscapedesign.com

Backyard Landscape Design

Creative landscape design and development can improve your life and lifestyle. Winter and early spring is an ideal time to begin the process of envisioning and activating your backyard ideas; such as plans to create, design, develop, install and construct a new landscape or renovate an old and tired landscape. Most of what we do as landscape design professionals (see American Society of Landscape Architects) qualifies as ‘Green’ on some level (see Sustainable Sites Initiative). We are often presented with challenges involving unattractive views, non-functioning or low functioning spaces for dining, entertaining or playing. Sometimes we need to generate fresh, creative ideas for a landscape in need of improvement because it is unusable or unstable due to physical characteristics such as steep slopes, poorly drained wet areas, etc.

Landscape Design Begins with Proper Site Analysis

Just as developing a program for managing an organic lawn or landscape starts out with real information, professional landscape design starts out with proper site analysis.

For soil testing, see Soil Foodweb Labs or Cornell Cooperative Extension.

For professional landscaping, see Association of Professional Landscape Designers

These essential first steps inform the clients and the designer as to the fixed physical features and characteristics. This will determine the unique factors involved in developing the landscape design master-plan, ideally suited to the needs and desires of the client/users. This may include, but is not limited to, amount of sunlight affecting plant growth and selection (see USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service), the hydrology (wet/dry), soil conditions etc..

Much of this information is verifiable scientific fact and field observations. Much of the remaining information is primarily subjective based upon the intentions to develop a property or site for specific land use.

For more info on low impact landscape design and construction, see Low Impact Development Center or Urban Design Tools.

Each Landscaping Project is Unique

Each and every backyard has unique, one of a kind aspects. Some are more or less challenged by views or landscape features surrounding and affecting the landscape we are working to improve. Too often we are brought to a project after significant alterations and ‘improvements’ are made. This sometimes restricts our creativity and ability to alter and improve the site due to a limitation of resources and access.

Jay Archer, President

914-560-6570

jay@greenjaylandscaping.co

Increasing Enjoyment and Appreciation for the Environment

This next landscape challenge in Westchester County involved producing a master-plan for the entire residential home/property (front, side and rear). The process of developing the plan based on information and observations acquired by site analysis led to this landscape construction project. It completely satisfied the clients tastes and sensibilities by enhancing their lifestyle with an increased enjoyment and appreciation of the outdoor environment.

In addition to expanding the swimming pool patio/summer recreation area within the fenced area, we constructed planting beds as well as walkways connecting the different garden rooms and spaces. This contributed to a better flow and increased everyday use. Good landscape development, especially paying attention to the concepts of sustainability and green development, requires allowing for time, energy and resources to be dedicated to accomplishing the goal.

 

A Secret Tai Chi Garden Awaiting Discovery

The existing landscape was very attractive, yet it had some drainage and soil issues. It simply did not sing! Increased curb appeal was realized by establishing perennial flower beds with continuous blooms along the circular driveway. Spring flowering trees were added to the front landscape, further adding to the dramatic effect while giving a layered, mature look to the front yard landscape.

One of the most interesting design features is an enclosed meditation garden. Called the Tai Chi Garden, this awesome, very cool space is defined and highlighted by mulched/wood chipped paths in the shape of the Yin and Yang symbol.

The paths snake through the garden with quiet sitting areas evoking a Japanese cup garden. The raised beds and berms/terraforms create a sense of mystery with a soothing planting of ferns, ground covers and flowering shrubs. This hidden garden is a special treasure which can only be discovered by a deliberate journey through a gated arbor with decorative fence. The overall composition is stunning, yet understated. This is truly an example of a landscape for all seasons and for all generations of the family to enjoy.

It’s never too early to consider planning and developing a landscape plan for your front or backyard. Make a wish list! Start the journey to the landscape of your dreams and desires today!

Jay Archer, President

914-560-6570

jay@greenjaylandscapedesign.com

Transforming What You Have Into What You Want

This landscape design challenge was exemplified by a backyard project along the Hudson River. When we arrived on the scene, a large part of the backyard (about 30%) was paved, impervious asphalt driveway.

Above: BEFORE PHOTO.

 

Two large storm drain/catch basins were installed directing storm water off site, down slope. Belgium block, stone curbing was installed to contain and direct water to the conventional drainage system. Additionally a white vinyl fence was installed around the perimeter for containment and screening. Of course if that weren’t enough, there was the ubiquitous outdoor shed for storage placed directly in line of site with the street/driveway entrance. In an ideal world, this would not exist without an overall plan and vision for developing the property/landscape. Very often this is the kind of hardscape improvement which uses up much of the budget and available resources before a proper plan is developed. So anyway…work with what you have!

HIDING THE PRESENCE OF ADJACENT EYESORES

At least the above ground swimming pool was removed before we started, although the fill/topsoil used to regrade and establish a lawn, which was later proposed to be removed, was kind of unnecessary. The proposed design, one of many versions, included creating a courtyard/patio for relaxing and entertaining. The design intention was to develop an outdoor living space which was both intimately serene and inviting as well positively energized to neutralize the effect of the powerful water treatment plant between the backyard and the river. This would be achieved with a combination of trees, flowering shrubs and perennial beds integrated with a beautiful natural stone patio/walk.

 

We would construct/build this stone patio/walk on a gravel base with polymetric sand joints to allow for storm water infiltration. Within the garden room/space, we included and placed earth elements intended for visual as well as sensory focus and enjoyment/appreciation (see Gardening with Feng Shui Principles or Love to Know How: Feng Shui) which utilize the basic principals of Feng Shui (the Art of Placement) in our landscape design practice. These elements/features include a fire pit (could be gas or wood), a fountain/water feature, a wooden arbor/gate and a stone bench.

Not represented in this version/design are; a green-roof to complete the screening of the water treatment plant, painted murals on the fence depicting birds and vines, mirrors placed behind plants in the landscape to reflect the sky, clouds, flowers and birds and butterflies we would be inviting in by plant selection (for ideas see Westchester Community College)

If the landscape is designed with love and care, attention to detail and a feeling for health, well-being and beauty, it will be everything we could hope for in home improvement and lifestyle enhancement.

Jay Archer, President

914-560-6570

jay@greenjaylandscapedesign.com