Gardens & Landscapes posts, articles, and infographics

Your Garden Will Spring Higher If You Keep It Local

May 23, 2012 by Mark LeChevallier
with 19 views

Indigenous plants support local ecosystems, and by introducing foreign plants to your backyard-garden-ecosystem, you’re interrupting the natural flow. Each region of this country has a specific style, its own pace, tone, foods, views, and people. The type of vegetation also varies by region, but we don’t often think about the flowers or trees that are native to various regions. Can you even name your state flower? [read more]

Water In The Big Apple

May 17, 2012 by Leda Marritz
with 52 views

Image: mwanner

American Forests has had a lot to say over the years about the relationship between forests and water. From protectingsourcewater to managing overflow in cities to advocating for forests’ integration into the Clean Water Act. And of course, we’ve been planting trees to restore watersheds for decades. Despite all this... [read more]

Organic Farming: Beyond the Yield Debate

May 12, 2012 by Marc Gunther
with 121 views

Image courtesy of the author

Yields from organic farming may not match those produced by farmers who use synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, but there are other good reasons to buy and support organic–its health benefits, the good that it does for farm workers, even its animal-welfare rules.So, at least, say executives of the Organic Trade Association, a... [read more]

Visualizing the 'Edible City' in Three Minutes

May 5, 2012 by Kaid Benfield
with 329 views

The American Society of Landscape Architects has produced another great video, this one about growing food in cities. I'm a big fan of ASLA's work, in part because of their terrific skill at public and professional communications.This particular project, which according to ASLA was created with assistance from landscape... [read more]

Four Ideas to Lead Cities Into The Future [Video]

May 2, 2012 by Rashiq Fataar
with 329 views

The mayor of Rio shares his insight into what can make the city of the future sustainable. Cool! [read more]

There's something about Public Space

May 1, 2012 by Gray Read
with 78 views

South Miami Farmers' Market in front of City HallPerhaps it’s a sense that one has a right to be there. Perhaps it’s the knowledge that everyone has equal footing and that the social contract is forged by the community, not dictated by a landlord. So everyone can stand up and breathe in their inalienable rights. That’s... [read more]

A small celebration of street furniture

April 30, 2012 by julian dobson
with 292 views

Speaking at a conference on ‘streetscapes’ last week, I issued a tongue-in-cheek manifesto: Just Say No to Benches and Bollards.My grouse wasn’t with street furniture in itself, but the thoughtless spending of public money on ill-considered public realm improvements as a substitute for thinking through what would really bring people back... [read more]

Parks that Embrace the City

April 29, 2012 by polis blog
with 574 views

Photo Source: NonProfitMarketing360

Gazing out onto the city. Source: SpecialKRBMany parks are designed to provide a sense of escape from the city, through separation from the bustle of street life. On the other hand, parks like the High Line engage creatively, offering new ways of seeing and interacting with the urban landscape. The city becomes a feature... [read more]

In a Harsh Economic Climate, a Way Forward for Designers

April 27, 2012 by The Dirt ASLA
with 269 views

The three presidents of the major design organizations shaping the built environment – the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), American Institute of Architects (AIA), and American Planning Association (APA) – discussed the challenges facing the design professions as well as the opportunities at the American... [read more]

Toronto's leadership for green roofs

April 25, 2012 by Kaid Benfield
with 106 views

In January of 2010, Toronto became the first city in North America to require the installation of green roofs on new commercial, institutional, and multifamily residential developments across the city. Next week, the requirement will expand to apply to new industrial development as well.Simply put, a “green roof” is a... [read more]

Making Urban Agriculture a Success [Infographic]

April 20, 2012 by Amanda Record
with 536 views

Urban Agriculture is a movement towards growing and raising more food within densely populated areas of major cities. Today, about 15% of the world’s food is now grown in urban areas. Since space is limited in big cities, you may have noticed city gardens sprouting up in smaller spaces (like rooftops or apartment balconies). [read more]

Food Trucks Bring New Patrons to City Parks

April 18, 2012 by City Parks Blog
with 492 views

Visitors line up for food truck fare at the Prospect Park Food Truck Rally.Credit: Elissa H. IzmailyanThe second season of the Prospect Park Food Truck Rally launched this Sunday in balmy spring weather. On the third Sunday of each month from April through October, sixteen gourmet food trucks will greet crowds of eager... [read more]