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Kalmia Landscape Design |
| Pushaw Lake Buffer Project - Spring, 2003 | |
| Last spring, I (Kirsten Reberg-Horton) was fortunate enough to become involved with a lake buffer project that grew out of the water stewardship program. Members of the Greater Pushaw Lake Association participated in the program and had decided to implement what they learned by installing buffers along their lake. |  |
Needing a place to start, Bill and Mary Phillips offered their property as the trial location. The group had energy, information and human-power; all they needed was a design, the one thing that I could help to provide! |
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We worked together to analyze the site: recording orientation, sun and shade, wet and dry places, everyday pathways and uses, views, existing vegetation and seasonal changes. Using this site analysis, we created a bubble design that showed areas for recreation, access to the lake and places for planting. Then, we measured the site and with the help of Laura Wilson and two other master gardeners, Kyle McCaskill and Tiffany Wilson, I made an accurate base map. |
| Finally, I took all this information and drafted two designs. At the final planning meeting, Bill and Mary selected the design that most matched their style and aesthetic, and we all participated in choosing plants. |  |
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Bill and Mary wanted a beautiful, low-maintenance plan that would provide the important vegetative canopy to slow rainwater as it comes to the earth and to filter run-off as it moves towards the lake. They chose a plan with two large planting areas that divided their "front lawn" into garden rooms, providing for intimate spaces for conversation and gathering, places to walk in the garden, and a curving path to the dock, as well as a blueberry bed for their grandchildren and a small tree. |
| Permits were obtained, and during the following several work days, a silt fence was erected, the ground was tilled and amended with approved materials and covered with straw. We held several planting days when we installed the chosen plant material and mulched with Cyclegrow a special mulch designed to prevent more run-off than a silt fence does. |  |
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However, as we finished with the second planting day, Mary shared a concern that she was having about the tree planned for the site. She was worried that it would overly obscure their view of the lake. After a good conversation about tree heights, widths and view angles, we finally decided upon the type of tree that would work for the spot. As I did my best to impersonate a tree in the proposed location and Mary walked back to get a view, she agreed. |
Bill and Mary have shared their experiences with me since the planting of the buffer They spend more time in their front yard than ever before. Bill sings to the plants as he gives them their 1" of water a week, and Mary watches for the changing faces of the perennials and colors of the shrubs. |
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They enjoy the carefully placed anchor rocks and the special place designed for Bill's favorite turtle sculpture. Since our work together, they have added more gardens behind their house as well, and the Pushaw Buffer group is excited to embark on another project next year. |
To have a vegetative buffer designed for your property, contact Kalmia Landscape Design. |
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