Difference between revisions of "Absorbent landscapes"

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STEP currently have a guide to amending and improving topsoil to improve the water retention capacity and promote healthy vegetation. I can be found [https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/home/healthy-soils/construction-specifications-for-implementing-compost-amended-planting-soil-in-ontario/ here] on our main website.
Landscape alternatives capture rainfall in leafy green foliage, with the intention of increasing [[infiltration]], filtration, and [[evapotranspiration]] of rainfall and runoff. Well-designed landscape alternatives require little maintenance and less irrigation after establishment than [[turf]].  


''Soil amendment guidelines (from 2010 guide section 3 - placed here by Jen)
Landscape alternatives allow homeowners to customize their property’s landscape to their liking. A guiding principle when designing landscape alternatives is “the right plant for the right place”. Using both native and non-native plants is acceptable as long as the non-native plants are not invasive and do not require frequent watering. Various landscape alternatives are available, including:
{{textbox|1=Soil amendment sizing criteria:
impervious area / soil area = 1
*use 100 mm compost, till to 300 - 450 mm depth
impervious area / soil area = 2
*use 200 mm compost, till to 300 - 450 mm depth
impervious area / soil area = 3
*use 300 mm compost, till to 450 - 600 mm depth
Compost should consist of well-aged (at least one year) leaf compost. Amended soil should have an organic content of 8-15% by weight or 30-40% by volume.
Source: Soils for Salmon, 2005}}


Info from Preserving and Restoring Healthy Soil: Best Practices for Urban Construction v 2.0 (placed by Jen)
==Xeriscaping==
#Subsoil scarification (i.e., decompaction treatment) depth changes from minimum of 10 cm to 45 cm;
Xeriscaping refers to landscaping, plantings and gardening practices that reduce or eliminate the need for watering by selecting plants based on their ability to survive with little water. Synonymous with water conservation, xeriscaping was originally promoted in areas with perennial water shortages. Additional benefits include reducing water bills, lowering maintenance requirements, and better plant survival rates and aesthetics during drought periods. Xeriscaping can be used on a lot-by-lot basis or in combination with larger residential LID programs. The Region of Peel’s [http://www.peelregion.ca/watersmartpeel/residents/fusion-landscaping/index.htm Fusion Landscaping® program] is an example of this.
#Topsoil/Planting Soil depth for tree pits changed from minimum of 60 cm to 20 cm;
#Total uncompacted soil depth changed from 30 cm to 65 cm for turf/lawn and planting beds, and from 90 to 65 cm for tree pits;


==Tree Clusters==
[[Trees| Tree]] clusters are another residential landscape alternative. Tree clusters improve water quality, generate organic soils, absorb greenhouse gases, and provide shade for homes. Tree clusters require larger lot sizes, preferably with no overhead wires. They can be planted as standalone features or as part of a larger residential LID landscape.


Reference: Preserving and Restoring Healthy Soil: Best Practices for Urban Construction (TRCA 2012).
==Topsoil==
STEP have a guide to amending and improving topsoil to improve the water retention capacity and promote healthy vegetation. I can be found [https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/home/healthy-soils/construction-specifications-for-implementing-compost-amended-planting-soil-in-ontario/ here] on our main website.


==Tool and other info==
{{Clickable button|[http://www.sustainabletechnologies.ca/wp/home/healthy-soils/preserving-and-restoring-healthy-soil-best-practices-for-urban-construction/ Topsoil and Soil Amendment Calculator Spreadsheet Tool, V 2.0]}}
{{Clickable button|[http://www.sustainabletechnologies.ca/wp/home/healthy-soils/preserving-and-restoring-healthy-soil-best-practices-for-urban-construction/ Topsoil and Soil Amendment Calculator Spreadsheet Tool, V 2.0]}}


==Materials==
===Materials===
*[[Topsoil]]
*[[Topsoil]]
*[[Sand]]
*[[Sand]]
*[[Compost]]
*[[Compost]]
*[[Organic matter]]


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Better site design]]
*[[Grading]]
*[[Downspout disconnection]]
*[[Downspout disconnection]]
*[[vegetated filter strips]]
*[[Vegetated filter strips]]
*[[Enhanced swales]]


[[category: infiltration]]
[[category: Infiltration]]
[[Category: Residential]]

Latest revision as of 16:49, 25 August 2021

Landscape alternatives capture rainfall in leafy green foliage, with the intention of increasing infiltration, filtration, and evapotranspiration of rainfall and runoff. Well-designed landscape alternatives require little maintenance and less irrigation after establishment than turf.

Landscape alternatives allow homeowners to customize their property’s landscape to their liking. A guiding principle when designing landscape alternatives is “the right plant for the right place”. Using both native and non-native plants is acceptable as long as the non-native plants are not invasive and do not require frequent watering. Various landscape alternatives are available, including:

Xeriscaping[edit]

Xeriscaping refers to landscaping, plantings and gardening practices that reduce or eliminate the need for watering by selecting plants based on their ability to survive with little water. Synonymous with water conservation, xeriscaping was originally promoted in areas with perennial water shortages. Additional benefits include reducing water bills, lowering maintenance requirements, and better plant survival rates and aesthetics during drought periods. Xeriscaping can be used on a lot-by-lot basis or in combination with larger residential LID programs. The Region of Peel’s Fusion Landscaping® program is an example of this.

Tree Clusters[edit]

Tree clusters are another residential landscape alternative. Tree clusters improve water quality, generate organic soils, absorb greenhouse gases, and provide shade for homes. Tree clusters require larger lot sizes, preferably with no overhead wires. They can be planted as standalone features or as part of a larger residential LID landscape.

Topsoil[edit]

STEP have a guide to amending and improving topsoil to improve the water retention capacity and promote healthy vegetation. I can be found here on our main website.

Topsoil and Soil Amendment Calculator Spreadsheet Tool, V 2.0

Materials[edit]

See also[edit]