Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia offer a variety of public courses that encourage local homeowners to adopt sustainable landscape design and gardening practices. The summaries here focus on key lessons to improve soil productivity, to conserve and protect water resources, and to select plants and garden materials that benefit our local habitat. Each summary compares the conventional approach to yard design and maintenance with the goals of a more sustainable approach, and then describes simple practices that homeowners can do to make their yards more sustainable.
- Making Your Yard Sustainable: Benefits and Basics
- Making Your Yard Sustainable: Soil
- Making Your Yard Sustainable: Water
- Making Your Yard Sustainable: Plants and Materials
The summaries all draw upon two science-based sources:
The Landscape for Life curriculum developed by the U.S. Botanic Garden and Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas, with other partners. This set of nationwide teaching materials emphasizes the benefits of sustainable landscape design.
Virginia Cooperative Extension’s mission is to promote sustainable landscape management throughout Virginia. VCE provides a wealth of information on local growing conditions and sound horticultural practices, based on the latest horticultural research.