Services
Ecological Design and Consulting Services
We provide design, guidance and implementation in growing ecologically-supportive landscapes, which are healthier for people and for the earth. We work with schools, cities, homeowners and community groups to produce beautiful, seasonal landscapes. We focus on food-producing gardens and other sustainable approaches, such as:
- water efficiency
- native plants
- perennial fruits, vegetables and herbs
- biodiversity
- pollinator and beneficial insect havens
- therapeudic gardens
- reduce and recycle waste
- respect for all life forms, ahimsa, non-violence
- celebration and experience of nature
Garden Calendar: Fall and Spring are planting high-seasons; winter and summer are great times to plan! Ultimately, we can work with your schedule, but this helps us help you!
Edible Landscapes
Most landscapes have a place for edible abundance. Edible landscapes help close the loop of our food systems and promote familiarity with our source of nourishment. Localizing food is at the heart of sustainability- reducing waste, oil and chemical dependence, saving precious resources- and not to mention fresher, healthier food and people! Edible landscapes foster environmental and stewardship. With giant affects on environmental and human health, locally-sourced food is now high-demand.
Intensive, annual vegetable growing requires some maintenance, while perennial fruits and nuts function as more usual landscape varieties, with average to minimal maintenance. Both provide nourishment and aesthetic enjoyment. Edibles can be worked beautifully into any design.
Our approach
Each site, no matter scale or existing condition, has a unique potential. We employ understanding of ecology and a ‘deep ecology’ or holistic approach of geomancy in assessing a site’s potential. Taking inventory means identifying: soil quality, vegetation type, moisture, light, aspect, culture, use, history and geomantic factors- such as a site’s potential or energetic ‘blueprint’. We analyze inventory and clients’ requests to produce recommendations and inform design. We employ and encourage organic and biodynamic growing methods. These types of gardens support biodiversity- and biodiverse gardens support life, have fewer pest and disease problems and are healthier.
Traditional landscaping is far from being ‘green.’ Our intent is that instead of polluting the environment, landscaping can mitigate toxicity and support health. Landscapes can conserve water and energy, enhance biodiversity and ecological function, and even provide healthy food for people….. (read blog post on this subject)
Residential Landscape Design
We can help maximize the potential of your urban homestead. From consultation and design to implementation, let us help you become self-sustaining. See Projects for examples.
Commercial and Community Landscapes
Urban Agriculture is a solution to many ailments of city-dwelling including: lack of community, poor health, lack of environmental awareness, depression, violence, crime, inflated materialism and many ecological impacts. Food security is an increasing concern. In Georgia, it isn’t sensible nor secure that most of our organic produce is sourced from California! As well, a critical shift towards sustainable living is localizing economy. Producing food locally is, of course, central. We envision the Oakhurst farm, supported by the City of Decatur, to be a successful model of intensive, diversified agriculture that can be repeated in other Atlanta-area sites: urban farms as homeopathic remedies dotted throughout the city, eventually connecting our city in a pedestrian network of thriving garden-based economy.
Schoolyard gardens are providing a host of benefits for children: improved nutrition and concentration, increased academic performance, ability to work in groups, higher self esteem, and decreased ADHD, obesity and childhood diabetes. Benefits are associated with gardening as exercise and improved food quality, but working in nature transmits life experience that cannot be gleaned in a classroom. See Projects page for examples.
