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Yes I would save my clients money and be environmentally sensative when possible, but I also reallize that desinging a landscape for a Best Buy or a Costco puts food on the table for the people I work with, if a sensative issue was on site then I would love to spring into action and find a way to save the fuzzy bunnys of the world but if there is…[Read more]

Dear Andrew G I do not think you are a right-wing religious person, we were both using these rhethorical devices to make an argument – has nothing to do with who you are..! You are simply arguing for more moderation and practicality, and I am saying I don’t see any action towards low-water where I live – and I want to set an example (plus I have…[Read more]

Andrew,
Do you think developers and others see no practical side to environmentally minded solutions? Do you think they really only see it as some sort of new religion? Look at how you phrased one of your own statements: “using water and other stressed resources in an irresponsible manner is shameful and unethical”. I’d say it’s also impractical.…[Read more]

on almost two-thirds of the project we work on have access to reclaimed water.

thanks, Jason! sounds interesting. Will look that up, plus permaculture..Like that idea..
🙂

I am currently working on a project on a farm where for technical reasons, we have limited access to water, and are making use of dry land management for cut flower production. Where this becomes relevant to this discussion is that I had a consultation this week with Ken Yeoman, author of ‘Water For Every Farm’ and Keyline designer. In essence,…[Read more]

there ain’t no reclaimed water. It takes it’s own supply system, and we are already very far away from water sources. We do note, on every project, “no reclaimed water available..” …You are right, though this supply system needs to be built…Perhaps I will spend the landscape dollars on making the connection, and leave the erosion control as…[Read more]

I think Olmstead would be surprised at your characterization of the co-opting of our profession by ‘certain’ groups for leftist environmental causes. He beleived that his passive back to nature parks were the answer to improving the entire urban fabric, in fact essential to that fabric. Also why is environmentalism left wing? Don’t christians feel…[Read more]

what city or county are you doing work in that does not have any reclaimed water? Not possible, that is just as narrow minded as me saying shutting the water off to ornamental landscape is not possible.

Your views are extreem to the standard view of most people, most people on this forum are very green freindly and even some of us look at the kit fox and ignore it, our bad, the general public could give a flying fruit loop over the kit fox, the spotted owl, the xyx animal of the day, and that is sad but true. Eliminating all irrigation in the…[Read more]

No reclaimed water..Not possible..No sinks, nothing even near these designs, just more irrigation hook-ups..Try again..
We do have projects that are using only seed, and are not irrigated…. I use buckwheat, which does not need water, but I do not know if I can leave it a s a permanent design..(It is erosion control)…Oh well….Thanks for your thoughts!

I don’t agree..I do not see any environmental bandwagon – it is too bad you are assuming my view is extreme, I nowhere stated that onlyl extreme enviornmentalism qualified at all..But where is the environmental design happening? I see a profession that sees itself as followers, translators of the public opinion…I do not see any green agenda…[Read more]

Trace,
Are there projects that provide examples of what would work better in your area? There must be some out there.

Keep in mind that when I say “forget ethics”, I mean that ethics is not the only reason we do what we call sustainable design. There are scientific and economic reasons for eliminating irrigation in the central valley. When we say “I have an environmental ethic”, it is easy for other people to say “yeah, so what, I don’t”. You can argue ETHICS…[Read more]

Trace – purhaps Jason is right in looking not to eliminate landscape irrigation but to look into increasing the use of reclaimed water as an irrigation source. Irrigation of reclaimed water onto ornamental landscapes works as a great final filter for the water before it re-enters aquifers or waterbodies. Some people have issue using reclaimed…[Read more]

Well stated Andrew I totally agree!

“It’s Worse Than That,- He’s Dead, Jim”

10 inches a year! Now that is dry. I have heard about your snow melt problems. You guys are in for a rough ride, by the looks of it.
What is your through put of potable water through the dwelling/estate? Is recycling on site possible? You can install a simple recycling plant very easily and it is not that…[Read more]

We get 10 inches of rain a year. A significant portion of our water comes from snowpack melt, which of course is decreasing. Our groundwater was drawn down so significantly in the nineteen forties that they built a system of canals to capture the snowmelt and river water..The ground water is threatened again, it is completely unregulated. Our two…[Read more]