Two new books are providing a fresh look into what modern gardening really is. In an few words, it is based on ecological ethos instead of a particular look or feel. The first book is by Tim Richardson and is entitled “Avant Gardeners: 50 Visionaries of the Contemporary Landscape.” The gardens shown in this tome show a wide range of styles using materials that one would not expect in their garden. From the World Trade Center in Osaka, Japan to the Herbert Dreiseitl’s German parks, these are ideas that are truly outside of the box. There are plenty of gardens back home in the US as well, many of which follow practices that are ecologically friendly with systems that harvest water and blur into the surrounding wild growth.
The other book is by Zahid Sardar and is entitled “New Garden Design: Inspiring Private Paradises.” This book is full of vivid color photos that truly take you to the gardens. Designs features designs from established landscapers as well as up and coming talent. These books tend to raise questions about modern gardens that they do not answer quite well. What is a modern garden, and what are its elements? Do they tend to be minimal and ecofriendly? Are there curves and natural shapes or sharp corners? Are they consisting of only local plants, or do they have an international offering?
Ask other gardeners, experts in plants, designers, and you will receive a variety of responses. There are those that say it is irrelevant, some that will ignore you, and some that will pour out with opinions. But there is one response that truly gets to the heart of the matter when it comes to gardening. The fact is that garden is a verb, not a noun, and it is in the act of gardening that truly modern ideas come into play. These include ecological considerations, as well as a sense of getting the most out of a garden with the least amount of work.
Gardens should be designed so that they are not labor intensive, and that they do not consume as much resources. What this initially means is that the plants chosen should thrive in your environment, and you should employ systems that sustain the garden. Rain water collection systems that will take a heavy nights rain and spread it out over a week or two. Choosing plants that add to the soil what other plants need to survive. Keeping the size of the garden within you manageability, and making sure that your garden is sustainable.
What it boils down to is that the modern revolution in gardening is towards sustainability and self sufficiency so that you minimize fertilizer and resource usage and the amount of work that you need to put into your garden. What theme could be more modern than sustainable actions and resource savings? It takes knowledge, focus, and determination to get there.
Originally posted 2009-03-04 13:49:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
How to Have Your Own English Country Garden In the days of old England, peasants owned small homes with small gardens and acted as workers in the small villages. These gardens, despite their small size, had to be able to supply the entire family with all of their gardening needs. The kitchen garden would consist of fruits, herbs...... -
Big City Living and Country Garden Landscaping Everyone can benefit from the beauty and serenity that a country garden offers, but people who live in big cities may have difficulty finding the space that they need to create a country garden landscaping endeavor. Living in a big city like New York City does not mean that...... -
Make Landscape Changes to Your Country Garden Although fall and winter are upon us, and most gardeners think having a garden is now out of season, it is an excellent time to make landscape changes to your country garden. During this time, the plants and weeds have begun dying and thanks to the occasional fall rain, the...... -
English Style Country Garden Landscape Design pt 2 Green lawns that feature picturesque views of the most stunning aspects of your garden design can be made more functional using garden furniture crafted from wood, especially if this furniture features an antique or aged appearance. Romantic, cottage style benches and outdoor furniture fits in especially well, especially along with...... -
Country Garden Landscaping for Your Personality Country gardens can be gorgeous and many of us have dreamed having one just like we've seen in gardening magazines. Though the gardens featured there are often professional gardens where the owners have devoted hundreds of hours to planning, designing and maintaining, we picture lush patches of flowers in our......
- Modern Romance Books
- Hydroponics Hydroponics Seed Starting Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living
- Plants Aquatic Plants Plants, Seeds Bulbs Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living
- Timers Controllers Watering Equipment Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living
- Composting Garden Tools Equipment Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living