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Sally Wilson, of Minnesota, formerly of Marshalltown, will present her program on sustainable gardening to the Marshalltown Garden at 11 a.m. on Aug. 3. Sustainable landscaping is a modern type of gardening or landscaping that takes the environmental issue of sustainability into account.
Wilson took an interest in ecology at age 10 and became a horticulturist at age 20. She's spent decades learning about wild and edible plants, local ecologies and permaculture practices from around the world. She spent more than 20 years as a college instructor in biology, horticulture and sustainable agriculture as well as a Master Gardener. From kitchen herb garden to native prairie plantings, she's probably planted and have maybe even eaten it. She currently provides consultation services to help homeowners achieve the garden or yard of their dreams through sustainable and maintainable plants and landscaping practices through Tread Lightly Landscapes.
A sustainable garden is designed to be both attractive and in balance with the local climate and environment and it should require minimal resource inputs. Thus, the design must be "functional, cost-efficient, visually pleasing, environmentally friendly and maintainable.” Compost, fertilization, integrated pest management, using the right plant in the right place, appropriate use of turf and xeriscaping (water-wise gardening) are all components of sustainable landscaping.
Those interested in a home landscape that is long-lasting, has reduced water usage, with little or no surface runoff or puddles, uses minimal or no fertilizers and pesticides, uses green waste, rather than sending it to the landfill and conserves energy and resources, plan on attending this program. It is free and open to the public and is held at the ISU Extension office at 2608 S. Second St., in Marshalltown. For more information on the program or the Marshalltown Garden Club, contact skycutter@heartofiowa or 641-750-2862.