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Larry Sagers Horticultural Specialist Utah State University Extension Service Thanksgiving Point Office © All Rights Reserved
For more information on local landscape architect Jan Striefel, read my column in yesterday’s Deseret Morning News.
As you travel through neighborhoods and towns, visit parks and gardens or tour historic homes and buildings, much of the beauty you enjoy is the creation of landscape architects. According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, "Landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management and stewardship of the natural and built environments."
The society, which was founded in 1899, has some 14,200 licensed members around the world today. Some 2,500 of them are coming to Salt Lake City this week for the group's annual meeting.
For more information on the American Society of Landscape Architects, visit the group's Web site at www.asla.org. The site also has a link to the Utah Chapter at host.asla.org/chapters/utahasla/.
Advanced Landscape Design November 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 10:00 AM-Noon with Larry Sagers
This course builds upon our Basic Landscape Design course. After completing your basic design, come learn how to incorporate advanced design and labor-saving maintenance features into your landscape.
We focus on using plants to solve problems in the landscape, as well as hardscape such as arbors, walkways and water features. Fee: $40.00
Preregistration (including prepayment) is required for the class. You may register for program sections online or call Gretchen at 801-768-7443 or toll-free 1-888-672-6040 (select Education option) to register.
Saving Time and Money in the Garden Week Two
How about creating extra work for yourself? Would you like to spend more hours out in the hot sun, sweat a lot more, spend more for water, fertilizers, pest control and other sundries? If you are a glutton for punishment, stop reading. If, on the other hand, you like to save time, frustration and money read on.
Look for alternatives. The right plant in the right place is important. Lawns usually require more maintenance than other types of landscape plants. Flowers are also high maintenance. Groundcovers require slightly less care while shrubs and trees require the least maintenance. If the only time you walk on the turf is when you mow it, think of less water-demanding substitutes.
Keep large enough grassy areas for entertaining needs and play areas, but convert little unused strips of turf into lower maintenance plantings. Use groundcovers on steep slopes that are difficult to mow or shady areas where grass does not grow well.
Use mulches. Mulches are one of my favorite ways to reduce weeds and help plants grow. Add two to four inches of mulch around plants to prevent weeds and conserve water. Mulching helps control erosion, reduces soil compaction and moderates soil temperatures. They add organic matter to the soil as they break down.
Mulching trees and shrubs decreases damage from mowers or string trimmers. Always add additional nitrogen fertilizer to avoid nutrient deficiency in mulched plants.
