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Duration: 3 hours of theory + 1 hour of practical part
The right plant, the right place!
The “right plant in the right place” principle can prevent many common ecosystem problems and potentially reduce green space maintenance requirements. Different plants have different growth requirements and not every plant is suitable for every place, especially in an urban environment where various elements of urbanization and nature interact. Not all plants are ideal for planting in your area, so research what plants are native to your area or what the growing conditions are like in your region.
Analyze with the students the environment and the environment of the area where you live. Familiarize them with native plants and the possible negative consequences of choosing a non-native, invasive plant.
When planning new green areas, it’s important to consider the specific requirements of each location. Not every plant is suitable for every area, so it’s crucial to analyze the environment and its needs before choosing the right plant. It’s helpful to create a design on paper, including a floor plan and section, to understand the potential plant positions and their relationships with each other and the environment. The ultimate goal is to create a self-sustaining landscape that is in harmony with its natural surroundings and minimizes the need for excessive maintenance and resources. This type of landscape facilitates the work of those who manage it and promotes harmony between plants, microbes, soil, and air.
When designing a green area, the first and most crucial choice is whether it will be in harmony with the environment or have a negative effect on it. We can attempt to grow whatever we want, without considering the natural and domestic conditions of the garden, or we can select plants and cultivation methods that align with the environmental conditions, both below and above ground.
Remember to consider the environment where the plants will be placed. Think about its proximity to roads, sidewalks, and the size of the area. The type of plant you choose will depend on the space available and its surroundings, so it’s important to have valid reasons for your plant choices.
Connect your garden with the natural surroundings by selecting plants that attract local insects and animals, provide shelter, and serve as a food source. Aim to create plantings with multiple purposes and functions.
The decision to plant perennial or seasonal plants depends on the purpose of the green space, available resources, existing needs, and preferences to be met. It can be a combination of both, depending on the maintenance and long-term plan for the location.
Annual plants complete their life cycle in one growing season. To grow the same plants again next year, you should collect their seeds. Many edible plants, such as vegetables and herbs, are annuals, making them an essential part of your vegetable garden or herb garden. Annuals are perfect for containers and smaller enclosed areas. With only a short growing season, they are unlikely to outgrow the container and require repotting.
On the other hand, perennials are plants that grow and produce fruit over several growing seasons. Once planted, depending on the crop, they can live anywhere from two years to a decade.
Perennials play a vital role in maintaining soil health. As they do not require replanting each year, they minimize soil disturbance and contribute to the thriving of soil organisms. Perennials have extensive root systems and store carbon deeper in the soil, where it remains more stable. In addition to sequestering carbon, perennial plants can enhance water holding capacity and reduce soil erosion.
“When deciding whether to plant evergreen or deciduous trees, a combination of both can be a good choice. It’s important to consider the specific needs of the green areas. Evergreen plants, which grow tall, provide shade year-round. On the other hand, deciduous plants can allow more sunlight during the colder months in some cases. In smart passive design, evergreens are typically planted in the north to act as windbreaks, while deciduous plants are planted to the south or west of buildings, gardens, and parks.
It’s best to have a healthy mix of deciduous and evergreen trees in your yard. Deciduous plants offer beautiful fall foliage and good shade when fully grown, while evergreen plants provide privacy and act as wind protection for years.”
When considering plant size, it’s important to plan for the future. We need to consider both above and below ground development and growth of the plants. If we densely plant species with large roots or crowns in a small area, the plants won’t have enough space to grow properly and will overcrowd other nearby plants. When planting young trees, it’s crucial to anticipate their future growth in both height and width. Larger trees should be spaced apart to allow room for their growth, and they shouldn’t be planted too close to buildings or roads.
Similarly, smaller trees and fruit trees require space for their crown development, which can obstruct pathways and other features.
Observing the environment, we can easily recognize the plants that have always existed there – they are called autochthonous plants. These plants adapt easily once planted, as they are accustomed to environmental conditions and are able to withstand local weather conditions, including winter cold and summer heat. They may not need as much care as other plants once they are well established and growing, and they are resistant to most pests and diseases. All these features mean that native plants meet the sustainable needs of today’s urban gardener.
On the other hand, we can notice non-native plants everywhere. Sometimes they become invasive species that are difficult to get rid of once they start spreading. This is an important reason to think carefully before planting a non-native plant. However, sometimes it can even be beneficial to introduce new plant species into the environment because they can have beneficial effects. In this case, we must be sure that they are not invasive and that they will not aggressively interfere with the existing environment, creating an imbalance.
Consider integrating “volunteer” seedlings of native plants (plants that have grown wild in the area and are often considered weeds), rather than indiscriminately weeding them. Conversely, avoid planting non-native plant species that could invade and disrupt nearby natural areas.
Use a wide variety of plants that complement and balance each other horticulturally and decoratively. Include a variety of trees, shrubs, and perennials to provide structure. Plant them with a number of edible and ornamental annuals to increase variety and yield. Combine nutrient-demanding plants, such as tomatoes, with nitrogen-accumulating plants, such as legumes, to balance and restore soil fertility.
Create a compost pile for spent vegetation and uneaten produce to return their nutrients and organic matter to the soil. Use mulch with beneficial additives and fertilize with organic materials that support beneficial soil microbes and increase organic matter. Disturb the soil as little as possible to maintain its structure and to avoid bringing buried weed seeds to the surface to germinate.
Keep the “good” insects at bay by using plants that attract them. Cut back native perennials in early spring, not fall, to provide food for birds, protection from erosion, and shelter for beneficial insects.
In this lesson, our aim is to enhance students’ skills in selecting the appropriate plant and planting location based on the plant’s requirements and its interaction with the surrounding environment. Additionally, participants will gain an understanding of the significance and outcomes of planting both native and non-native plant species.
Create a herbarium
