Wednesday, August 22, 2012

I recently added another name to the ‘green rolodex’ - Seattle’s own Ally Wangsness, who blogs as the greenhomeadvisor.org. She recently clued me into the City of Seattle Green Home Remodel Guides, which can be accessed via seattle.gov.
In perusing the virtual library of materials I noted a stat that we have cited in previous reports: The right landscape can increase a home’s value by 15 percent (per the Association of Landscape Contractors of America). So we will occasionally visit this resource for ideas about how to improve the look and value of your property.
Here are a few random points from the guide about greening exterior landscaping:
When considering walkways and patios that last and look great, the Seattle guide suggests considering much more than their surface materials. Especially when designing for rain to percolate into the soil below, the surface – and structure below the surface, including sand, crushed rock, etc. – must be carefully prepared.
The guide examines pros and cons of poured ash, broken concrete, permeable or salvaged pavers, wood chips, glass, stone, clay pavers, even – wait for it – nutshells!
According to the guide, recycled nutshells are effective mulch for controlling weeds. And since shells are often burned for fuel, reusing them for mulch and pathways reduces the amount of burning and protects air quality.
If you are committed to using salvaged materials for exterior projects, the Seattle guide says beware lead- based paints, toxic wood preservatives, and other hazards. Ask questions of the person giving away or selling the material; if in doubt, pass on suspect items.
And if you’re looking for maximum water conservation, the guide suggests adding one or more cisterns to your property.
Cisterns store from several hundred to thousands of gallons of water, enough to significantly reduce or even eliminate the need to use municipal water for landscape purposes, especially when combined with the use of water-wise plants. Cisterns can also regulate storm water runoff during winter months, when landscape water isn't needed.
We will look at more universal ideas from this library of Seattle guides in future segments.

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