What is an ecological garden?

An ecological garden functions as a holistic, self-sustaining ecosystem. This is similar to the concept of a closed-loop system. Rather than relying on external inputs like chemical fertilizer, city water, pesticides, and produce grown thousands of miles away, an ecological garden captures rainwater, builds healthy soil, stores carbon, attracts bees, and produces loads of nutritious food.

Ecological gardens build soil. Plants themselves can build healthy, nutrient rich soil. By designing a garden that includes plants that fix nitrogen in the soil, accumulate nutrients and add organic matter, healthy soil will develop similarly to a forest floor layered with leaves.

Ecological gardens capture and store rainwater. Rather than channeling rainwater into streets and ultimately Puget Sound, harming salmon, we can capture and store rainwater in rain gardens, cisterns, swales, and healthy soil. While summer irrigation may still be necessary for plant establishment or edible plants, healthy, mulched soil can reduce the amount of irrigation needed.

Ecological gardens support pollinators. There is growing attention to the crisis facing bees and there's a lot you can do in your own yard to be part of the solution. Including native pollinator plants in your design not only supports local bee populations but also attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, and ensures large crops of fruit.

Ecological gardens produce food! I try to use as many edible plants in my designs as possible. While native plants are amazing and I use those heavily, every meal you produce from your yard reduces pressure put on land to be developed for commercial agriculture.  And many of the plants I work with are incredibly nutritious and taste way better than produce on grocery shelves.

Most importantly, ecological gardens integrate all of these functions while making an amazing outdoor space. Ecological gardens can look any way you'd like. They can be tidy and calm or a riot of color and wild blooms. I work with clients to design a garden that works for them.

Much of this way of thinking is ancient and has been practiced by indigenous peoples as so beautifully described by Robin Wall Kimmerer in Braiding Sweetgrass. Reading Braiding Sweetgrass taught me that I can do more than just lessen my impact on the earth. I can develop a mutually beneficial relationship with plants.