the dirt '07
Exotic Invaders
By:Lisa Maas
As exotic species invade our ecosystems and agricultural and stormwater runoff pollute our waterways, environmentally conscious homeowners are seeking ways to make their home environments more sustainable. One way is permaculture. The term permaculture, a combination of permanent agriculture or permanent culture, was coined by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in 1978 with the publishing of Permaculture One . Permaculture aspires to create sustainable, yet useful human habitats by using nature as a design model and integrating ecology, architecture, agriculture, economics and society in landscape design. Permaculturists strive to live with nature instead of trying to control it. While this may sound complicated, there are numerous, simple things the everyday environmentalist can do to "spruce up" his/her surrounding environment.
1. Don't fertilize your lawn or garden with chemical fertilizers. Industrial fertilizers are synthesized from petroleum and contain inorganic nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous that can be washed into streams, causing excess algae growth. Instead use organic fertilizers such as compost (see #3 below).
Before you purchased it, your chemical fertilizer was likely stored in a parking lot or outdoor facility unprotected from precipitation (e.g. at Lowe's or Wal-Mart). Rain washes a significant amount of chemicals from these fertilizers into nearby waterways and surrounding soils.
2. Plant slow-growing grasses in order to minimize lawn maintenance and the amount of fossil fuels consumed by lawn mowers. Drought tolerant varieties mitigate the need for sprinkler systems, decreasing water usage. Alternatively, seed native grasses such as big bluestem and switch grass to enhance your yard's endemic biodiversity and attract wildlife.
Fescues are one option for a slow-growing lawn. They stay green all year and are drought-tolerant, allowing your lawn to look great in all weather and annulling the need for sprinklers.
3. Start a compost pile. Divert landfill waste by disposing of kitchen scraps in a sustainable manner. Leaves and grass clippings can also be incorporated. Finished compost can then be used to fertilize your lawn or garden.
Composting can be greatly facilitated by using a home composter.
4. Landscape your yard with native trees and wildflowers. Native plants grow well and require minimal maintenance since they are well adapted to local conditions. They also enhance the general ecology of your yard by providing food and habitat for wildlife and do not threaten the surrounding environment by becoming invasive. Some are also edible and/or have medicinal uses. And of course, they're beautiful!
A. Sugar Maple
B. Redbud
Sugar maples provide shade in the summer and spectacular autumn color in the fall. Redbud trees, which display magnificent flowers in the spring add beauty and diversity to your yard.
A. Bee-balm B. Great Blue Lobelia
B. Black-eyed Susan
Native flowers such as bee-balm, black-eyed susans, and great blue lobelias add color your yard while attracting butterflies and pollinators (e.g. bees), which is beneficial if you have a vegetable garden or fruit tree nearby.
5. Plant useful, edible species that could offset costs of groceries while providing you and other wildlife with delicious local, fresh produce.
A. Apple tree
B. Blueberry bush
Apple trees and blueberry bushes are just a few of the edible species you could plant in your yard. Plant disease resistant apple tree varieties to safeguard the health of your tree and minimize maintenance. Blueberries are available in high and low bush varieties. If you are squeezed for space, opt for low bush varieties, which only grow about 2 feet high.
6. Learn to identify invasive plant species. Being able to recognize invasives allows you to quickly and effectively eradicate the plants, preventing further, more serious invasions.
A. Garlic Mustard B. Kudzu
C. Multiflora Rose
Garlic mustard, kudzu vines, and multiflora rose are just a few of the numerous exotic species that may invade your yard. Garlic mustard is a biennial herb, meaning it does not produce seeds until its second year. If you can catch it during its first year, remove the entire plant from your yard, so there is no chance that it will spread its seed the following year. Likewise, pull out kudzu vines and remove the vines from your yard as leaves are able to re-root in the ground. The best bet for eradicating multiflora rose is cutting the shrub down to the ground and digging up the rest of the plant. Check the site for regrowth the following year to ensure there are no sprouts. Mowing and removing seed heads is also a control option for all these plants. However, early detection is the safest and easiest way to keep exotic plants for invading your yard.