Enhance Your Environment

Mulch Prices to Soar!

You had to see this one coming.  Years ago I played in a golf tournament with a gentleman who owned a lumber mill on the west coast.  He was shocked to learn that the bark and other waste from his lumber operations actually had value to landscapers as mulch.  You bet!  In fact, shredded hardwood bark is superior as a mulch because it decomposes much more slowly (due to its lignin content) than wood mulch (which is predominantly cellulose).

An article in today's Wall Street Journal - "Sawdust Shock - A Shortage Looms as Economy Slows" - accurately points out that by-products of the lumber milling process, namely sawdust that is used as bedding for horses and chickens, and shredded bark that is used in residential and commercial landscapes, are in very short supply.   Sawdust prices have more than doubled in the last 9 months.  As we enter a new season for landscaping here in the Midwest, and especially in Naperville, you can expect to pay approximately 15-20% more for the the material that protects your investment in your landscape.  This is compounded by increases in fuel prices that have resulted in increases over the recent years.  Incidentally, most of the mulch used in this locale is barged up from the Gulf Coast. 

Doesn't it seem that we are running out of resources to sustain the lifestyles we've created for ourselves?  This winter we ran out of salt to keep our roads safe.  Fuel prices continue to rise, although this is arguably an artificial market - cast your vote accordingly in the next election.   And now we are running out of not just a commodity, but a product that was considerate a waste-product.  Caveat Emptor!  What's next?  I suggest clean water will soon be in short supply.   Sound ridiculous?  No more ridiculous that a shortage of salt when we are surrounded mostly by salt water.   

Keep The Path Clear!

What are the benefits of your environment?  For some reason I like to think of my personal environment as a microcosm - a garden - of the macrocosm - the larger environment.  To experience any garden you need a pathway.  You need a way to experience it. If your garden, your world, your ideal life as defined by you is cluttered, then you need to clear that path.  Life is more challenging and more stressful when you have to deal with unnecessary "stuff."  Life didn't used to be this way for most of  us.  Yet, progress and prosperity have changed that.

I've become more aware of the stuff in my life since moving into temporary housing - an apartment.  We'll be here for a couple of months until our new home is ready.  You know what, it's kind of nice!  Because most of our belongings - our stuff - are in storage.  The result is we have just a few possessions and the company of each other.  Conversations are easier.  Everything is simple.  We are more connected.  Interesting isn't' it?  When you clear the path of life - your environment is much more manageable.  Why?  You are managing the stimuli in your world.  Your response to life is likely to be much more favorable when you trim everything down to what matters to you.  If you don't do this, then you are subject to the uncontrollable influences that surround you.

So what does your 'garden' look like?  What does it feel like?  Most importantly, what is all of this telling you?  Don't ask what is happening in your world -- but why!  Why are you surrounded by the environment you find yourself in?  Only you can get what you want out of life by surrounding yourself with what energizes you!  Anything is possible within the space you create.  This is the key to enhancing your environment.  Make the right choices - keep that path clear - and let in the good stuff that really matters!

Color Your World with Aliveness!

A client recently noted to me that he wants to see color "all of the time" at his home.  Any landscape architect or designer can tell you that request ranks right up there with the dreaded "no maintenance " request.  Unfortunately, there is this phenomenon in the universe called entropy - everything is always changing and seeking a new state of order (or disorder, depending upon your perspective and need for control) -which certainly precludes the possibility of a no-maintenance landscape.  Color on the other hand, is actually a function of the cycles and changes in our natural environment - and therefore, it stands to reason you can manage these cycles and have color - all of the time!

Before we resolve this situation, I'm curious why we are obsessed with color?  I love color as much as the next person.  Though I can honestly say I've never contemplated why.  I believe the reason is very likely the fact that color makes you aware of your 'aliveness.'   It engages your senses.  It reminds us to take some notice of life, the environment, and even who we are.

The more you notice and appreciate color, the more you respect it's nuances.  Artists will tell you that you don't have to be bombarded with color to enjoy its aliveness.  You can sometimes appreciate a palette that blends color in unique ways, using white to separate the softer pastels so they can be even further appreciated for what they are on their own.  In the same way, you can appreciate the subtleties of what's happening in your world - both in your your work and play.  You just have to take notice.

There is a quality of nature that makes you feel alive and aware of so many things in your life, including your purpose, your responsibilities to others, and a need to appreciate what you have right now.  Right now is where it's all happening - and color makes you aware of that.  Color stops you in your tracks and asks you to think about what's right.  Hopefully, we all eventually come to the realization that what's right with us is interconnected with everyone and everything in our lives.  So, take a color break and appreciate how your life has been colored and how you might want to see that picture evolve into something even more, well,  COLORFUL!:) 

Home to Environment - "You Complete Me!"

The United States is presently experiencing a slow real estate market.  Yet, we just sold our home at full asking price - in one week!  How did this happen?   There is no doubt in my mind that having a well designed and maintained landscape that complements the home and integrates with the interior spaces dramatically helps to make 'a house a home.' A home is more than the physical structure - it an intimate combination of the structure carefully sited and appropriately enhanced to capture the best qualities of that site.

Every homebuilder knows you sometimes have to build a spec home so that potential buyers can experience their product - because most can't do this from drawings and plans.  The physical structure is tangible - people can relate to it.  Moreover, if you have a home with poorly enhanced outdoor spaces, it is a distraction from what may otherwise be beautiful home.  Offering choices of outdoor spaces with different personalities - sometimes referred to as outdoor rooms - fully immerses the homeowner in their environment where they can envision themselves relaxing, rejuvenating, enjoying family and friends, or otherwise experiencing their home - and life more fully.   I imagine homes with great landscapes might feel as Tom Cruise did for Rene Zellweger in the film Jerry McGuire when he proclaimed to her - "You Complete Me."

Celebrate Rain - It's Anything But Lonely!

It's raining in Chicago at the moment.  As a landscape architect in the Green Industry, this is a celebration to the end of a day of planting.  This should also be a celebration - and likely is - for just about anyone.  Rain nourishes, replenishes, and rejuvenates the environment which sustains us.  I always find it interesting that rain is a common metaphor for the opposite of celebration - for sorrow, regret, and lost love.  Remember the lyrics from Jackie Wilson's classic, Lonely Teardrops - ...   My Heart Is cryin', cryin - Lonely Teardrops (fallin' like rain) - My pillows never dry off - Lonely Teardrops."

Somehow I feel Jackie may have been at least celebrating his feelings for someone special - hoping to transform his feelings into a hope and a dream.  Someday we may too be 'cryin, cryin' if we don't begin to "celebrate" - that is, if we don't protect and preserve our natural resources - and water should surely be near the top of the list.  Water should also be a metaphor for good health and vitality.  Water sustains us - as the human body is nearly 2/3 water - depending upon your age.  We are a mirror of our larger environment, which itself is over 2/3 water - interesting and ironic, isn't it - and thankfully a reality! 

There are not too many things more enjoyable than the fresh, captivating air that accompanies an evening rainstorm.  And the morning often brings the bright sunshine that transforms this resource into the life of flora and fauna.  O.K., maybe I am 'fawning' a bit here - though I hope I'm reminding you and me of how our natural environment enhances the quality of life we all enjoy.  Let it rain. Yes, life is full of ups and downs - but there are more ups if we all appreciate what we have and enjoy ever moment - rain or shine!

It's All Green To Me

A friend of mine has asked me on several occasions what it means to be green. He knows I'm part of the 'green industry' and that I speak professionally to 'green' associations and to organizations that are interested in learning more about being green. It seems you can't turn the corner today without some mention of the environment, which is one connotation of green - and rightfully so.  No doubt green means something to just about everybody. Some take it literally - green pastures, getting the golf ball on the green, etc..  Others recognize that the color green signifies life, the abundance of nature, or even the Irish.  I'm going to let that one go, because while I am 50% Irish by birth - I don't care much for "The Irish" --  my true loyalty lies with the Scarlet and Gray -- The Ohio State Buckeyes -- and on occasion the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers.  Am I 'turning red?'   Let's move on.

What does this have to do with green?  There is a connection.  Everything is connected. You see - green is the most predominant color - and therefore - energy - in the universe (check your physics).  You could say there is a green 'thread' that connects all of us - an energy that we all share.  Does this sound too 'woo-woo?'   If you spend any time in nature at all you know it energizes you - it gives you creative thoughts - it nourishes you.  I just can't believe this is an accidental thing.  We ARE creatures of nature and when we become more aware of that we realize green is about awareness.  It's about who we are, what we do during our short time on this planet, and why we are doing it.  Green is the awareness that we have a responsibility to ourselves and everyone that is connected to us, which is why the current green movement to save the planet makes perfect sense. 

If you aren't buying -- try this -- maybe you like the thought of spending your green!  Oh, now there is a concept that connects most of us!  Money is a good thing, isn't it.  It enables us to accomplish what we want, and hopefully that includes taking the high road and helping others - which of course makes another connection.  These connections are unavoidable - which is why it's all green to me.

What Does it Mean to be Green?

Now that being green has become a hot trend - a trend I hope continues to develop for its own sake -  we should start considering what 'green' means to each of us.  Some take green literally.  They consider green to be beautiful, lush turf,  while others strongly oppose any artificially maintained environment, which of course includes lawns of all kinds.  They consider meadows and prairies to be the pinnacle of 'green.'  I admire and respect all natural spaces.  And since I'm in the business of delivering natural environments to clients, I have to fulfill many different needs and desires while also honoring my personal values and those of everyone here at Treemendous Landscape Company®.  Hmm...what am I thinking?  I'm thinking that like so many other issues that involve all of us dwellers of this planet, we're going to have to strike a balance in our earthly activities.  We're going to have to agree and probably also agree to disagree.

The truth is this discussion is healthy because now we are focused on taking action.  If we can determine the right reasons for having a lawn or a meadow or for harvesting rainwater, then the right actions will naturally follow - and the result will be a healthier environment for all of us.  It may not be perfection, but it wil be progress - progress toward a greener planet - which to me means a planet that supports a healthier and therefore happier quality of life!

Your Plants Know What's Right

A client recently asked me why her Rhododendrons didn't bloom this Spring.  The answer to her question is quite simple and logical if you understand nature.  There is an Intelligence to Nature that always results in the right action.  Plants inherently adjust to changes in their environment.  In this situation, the Rhodos did not bloom for a reason.  We can debate those reasons specifically; however, given the understanding that pushing out a Spring blossom takes a tremendous amount of energy, we come to a logical conclusion.

When a plant flowers the energy required is substantial - not unlike blowing up a balloon.  My client's Rhodos adjusted to conserve that energy - of which they have a limited supply stored from the photosynthesis process of the previous season.  The natural Intelligence kicks in to sustain the vitality of the plant for the demands of the oncoming growing season.  If you are fully aware, don't you forgo strenuous activity when you are aware of oncoming obligations and responsibilities?  It's the same here.  Most of us occasionally override these natural impulses.  The result is fatigue and somtimes illness.  Your plants are conditioned to do the right thing.  They understand that sometimes you must forego 'the party' to show up to work on time and perform to your responsibilities.  The right way works - and your plants - Nature - give you clues to right actions.  People complain about stress because they fight the natural course of events.  Tune into nature and you'll minimize the stress in your life and make more of the right choices!