Sustainable Naturescaping – Landscaping for New Generations

It seems like gardening has never been more in fashion. The recent ecological awakening has led people to ask themselves what kind of environment they want to live in. The global pandemic has been a major contributor to that. Step by step, the fundamentals of gardening practices have been changing, with a good perspective in the future for more sustainable routines.

Throughout recent history, Oregon has proved to be a place that meets the standard indicators of the quality of life. However, the challenge of creating good living conditions for the urban population remains an important task for every local community. Thus, good practices of using and shaping natural surroundings in a green and feasible way are among the most important issues, not only for conscious authorities but for citizens as well.

If you are looking for houses Monmouth, OR, especially those with space for a garden, this article might be of interest to you. Springtime is the best season for a fresh start, especially for gardening.

 

What is Naturescaping?

Naturescaping is a multidisciplinary field that includes knowledge from several disciplines. It starts with landscaping but incorporates agriculture, biology, ecology, hydrology. It is an improved, contemporary form of landscaping, that takes into accounts energy costs and an overall concept of sustainability.

The philosophy behind it says that people should coexist with nature, not that nature should adapt to their needs. Landscape ecology and sustainable landscaping are the closest relatives of naturescaping. However, “nature” remains the core concept of this practice, which aims to preserve its resources and their diversity, to help them grow, and to preserve their natural habitat.

This method of landscape design focuses on using native plants, to benefit local wildlife, and finally – the environment. By protecting local animals, birds, insects, fish, and plants, and preventing the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides that could damage food and water supplies, it provides a healthier environment, reduces the amount of water needed, as well as the use of expensive and polluting equipment. In the long run, it saves money and time, reduces human stress and anxiety, uplifts spirits, and makes your surroundings more beautiful. It seems like a win-win situation, both for humans and nature.

Its rather simple methods allow everyone to try and be the best local gardener possible. The only thing needed to be done is to mimic nature itself. Naturescaping has become very popular for DIY gardeners and landscapers, whether they are beginners or professionals, thanks to its easily applicable techniques in each and every yard around the globe. If you want to change your gardening skills and improve their outcome, you can start by taking part in the global ecological movement on a local scale, then this article can inspire you with your own plot of paradise. Homes for sale in Monmouth, OR can be the right place for this new start.

 

Naturescaping Tips and Tricks

What you need to know before starting are the agricultural and biological characteristics of the local area. The selection of plants that are native to Willamette Valley, or in Oregon in general, should be part of your home garden in Monmouth as well. Thus, they will be adapted to the local soil and climate, which means less maintenance and supplies, less disease, and more success.

The first precondition to successful naturescaping is to rethink traditional landscaping. Don’t consider the local plants as weeds that should be thrown away and replaced. Think of them as your local comrades, the natives of the land you are just visiting for one (long) period of time. They know your garden the best.

Avoid buying industrial, mass-produced, and mass-consumed plants, such as perennials and shrubs, at least not without a thorough plan. Let your landscape breathe, allow it to change with every season and year. Make it dynamic, not static, because it should experience freedom and be closer to natural cycles. It will be less genetically diverse, thus less predictable, more fun, and much more authentic. Just the opposite, a static garden means regular trimming, cutting, watering, and other actions that result in a habitat alien to the local environment.

When looking for houses for sale in Monmouth, OR, explore their gardens. Check their position, dimensions, plants, and landscape possibilities. Discover the area, by mapping the conditions, such as light, soil, and drainage, the existing vegetation, and potential wildlife area.

The second step is evaluation. Assess the naturescaping possibilities of the area. Is the lawn the only option? Can you plant some of the existing shrubs under the trees, and other spots of interest? Do you see some unused corners of the yard that could be transformed into a small shrine of the native plants? For example, if there is a low spot somewhere, you can turn it into a small marsh and thus provide a habitat for birds and insects.

To do things in accordance with your timeline and financial possibilities, don’t rush. Let this process take time. Don’t make changes in the garden fast, but rather incrementally, to let flora and fauna adjust, and watch the magic happen.

Then start implementing your ideas, but always according to the above-mentioned process. Don’t hesitate to ask your brokers in Monmouth, OR to recommend to you the house that has the garden most suitable for your project.

Some of the main naturescaping rules include, among other things: keeping an insecticide-free habitat, growing flowering plants, embracing some weeds, accumulating leaf litter, composting debris, and preserving the variety of vegetation. Furthermore, try to create parts of the garden with a minimum of human traffic, place several wooden branches for animals and insects, and put out water for birds and animals.

Finally, if you still miss the geometrically shaped traditional garden, you can imitate it here and there. Incorporate the typical garden elements, such as paths, benches, or butterfly gardens. Keep the bed edges neat and tidy, by not letting plants overflow the sidewalks. If you have a lawn, make its edge clean as well, either by cutting or using mulch where necessary. Not only will you preserve the illusion of traditional landscaping, but your neighbors will accept your new garden looks more easily. In the end, remember it is still a garden, not a jungle, and some cultivating is necessary.

RELATED ARTICLE: Coastal Rainforest Ecosystems in Oregon

Garden as a Monument to Nature

We have already assumed how naturescaping saves energy, time, and money. Furthermore, similar to seasonal eating, it saves health, by keeping you close to your natural habitat, making you aware of its other residents, and improving the harmony of your coexistence. It will bring you back to the basics of sustainable living. In the post-pandemic world, there are not many better ways to change the way of modern, urban living.

Finally, this form of landscaping will make you part of the big picture. It turns your yard into a small, subtly nurtured forest that supports the local biodiversity. Gardening is so much more than just design and naturescaping is a way to go further. In fact, it will take you back to the roots of gardening, where natural beauty is appreciated not only for its looks but also for its soundness.