“Children develop a greater sense of belonging to their community and its physical environment when the have a chance to learn and play outdoors. By belonging, they develop social responsibility, empathy, and compassion for one another and the natural world.”
- Cheryl Corson, Grounds for Learning
This 102 page manual brings together all aspects of landscape maintenance for an holistic approach that may be utilized by both landscape contractors and landscape architects. The book is divided into five parts: Human Systems, Tools and Working Methods, Natural Systems, Plant Materials, and Hardscapes.To access this free book, click on "Read the Article" below.
The project was funded by the Washington, DC Department of Energy and the Environment with additional support from the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council, the Low Impact Development Center, and the University of Maryland Sea Grant College. The Manual won a 2018 Merit Award from the Potomac Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, and a 2018 Silver Medal from the Association of Garden Communicators.
Discussion of why Corson felt the maintenance manual was needed and how the project came to fruition. We talk about how the manual will be used in the newly launched Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Certification Program, and what opportunities and challenges face designers and landscape contractors seeking to extend the useful life of sustainably designed landscapes.
The White House grounds are a unique example of American residential landscape design and maintenance. A new book on the subject, A Garden for the President: A History of the White House Grounds," by Jonathan Pliska, traces its facinating history.
Good tips on hiring help to maintain your garden or landscape to ensure sustainable practices that will not harm either your landscape or the environment.