Contributing Writer:Kate SamsonKate Samson is a University of Oregon graduate of Environmental Studies. Years of hiking, various jobs and traveling only proved to focus her concentration on the need for a clear way of thinking about development and conservation. Following certification from the Yestermorrow School of Building and Design with a focus on sustainability, Kate moved to Chicago to work at DAC Studios, Ltd. Architecture and Design as a LEED A.P. understudy and to incorporate sustainable solutions into design projects. She is currently studying the new LEED 2009 criteria with an emphasis on Existing Building renovation and aims to travel in the Dominican Republic to assist with the development of the El Fuego Del Sol ecovillage.
A Garden in Balance
Kate Samson
The garden, or land stewardship in general, has been used as a metaphor throughout history to reflect how human culture can mesh harmoniously with nature, each other, and themselves. Whether we study the story of the Garden of Eden, the Chinese medical view of the body as a garden, or read of Thoreau's "Walden Pond", we find the same connections between the virtues of holistic thinking and the pitfalls of greed. When we find ourselves with a piece of land to take care of, no matter how small, we can apply the same principals of harmony, beauty, and purpose.
While there are plentiful options for the person who wants a wild, natural space, there are also many ways to design a space that serves a desired function while maintaining an active role in environmental health. Deciding what the purpose of the space is will guide the intention of the design process, and having a clear understanding of goals for the space is key. Is the space meant have an herb garden while being a clear, safe place for young children? Or a kingdom for a dog with a patio space for barbecuing? Some may just wish for flowers to see out of the kitchen window that require very little maintenance. In this way, the environment will serve the human needs that are very much a part of the ecosystem. Once the goals are established, then the design can flow from those points.
The direction of that flow can then be determined by understanding daily habits and routines. If one comes through the front door every evening and proceeds to make dinner, why not have an herb garden near the front door? If the patio will be primarily used in the late afternoon, do you want to have a tree blocking the sun at that time of day? By knowing our space and time realationships, the design will be personalized, and therefore realistic and practical.
Taking cues from the naturally occurring flora, fauna and weather patterns, the options and variations with which to mold the design become tangible. Any desired functions that are outside the natural perameters, such as growing hot peppers in a cool climate or having a grass lawn in a dry climate will require close inspection of microclimates within the space as well as redirection of resources. Perhaps the peppers would be planted near a cement foundation in the sun, to stay warm, and planted earlier in a cold frame. The grass lawn might be in partial shade, in a slight dip where the water will drain to with the help of roof water collection.
With the idea of harmony and symbiotic relationships in mind at every design decision, it is the goal to create desired features that also provide multiple functions to improve the air or soil, save water, provide human or shelter, or attract birds and butterflies. Harmoniously designed land does not need to look like a jungle nor should it operate like the "world's greatest mousetrap". The ideas are simple and often require less effort than the garden that requires a constant fight against natural processes.
When the land is a pleasure to work with, then the term "work" does not apply. Having a place where one can sit among natural order helps to make order out of the daily chaos we all face. Then we have a healthy garden.
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