Questions for Landscapers
These questions are intended to spark curiosity and conversation among folks in the landscaping trade, and are meant as a start to further conversation. We'd invite you to take a look at this page, chat with colleagues and coworkers, and reach out if you're interested in chatting more.
Permaculture Design
What do you think “permaculture” means when talking about gardens, farming, or community building
Why might urban homeowners want to design their yard or garden with permaculture principles in mind?
What does “working with nature” mean to you, and why might it be important?
If you designed a yard that supported the natural world around you, what sorts of features could it include?
Why do you think it might be important to focus on soil health and soil life in urban lots?
Is there a place in your neighborhood that would benefit from more flowers, trees, and natural beauty?
Ecosystem Restoration
Landscaping for Water Retention
Why might storing rainwater rather than guiding it to run off into storm drains be helpful?
What are some ways you can help a landscape hold onto more water through the summer?
Supporting Native Biodiversity
Why might it be helpful to plant flowers and trees that have grown in your region for thousands of years?
How do different kinds of wildlife like bees, birds, or butterflies interact with our gardens, and how might that be a good thing?
What are three ways we could help native pollinators to thrive?
A Few Other Questions
Do you think it would be good to grow more food near our homes? Why or why not?
If you were going to support landscapes in your neighborhood, what’s one thing you could do this week?
What does it mean to "use our resources wisely, without wasting them"? Can you think of ways to do this in a garden or park? What about in your neighborhood?
Do you think we should work together to protect the land and water around us, or is it better for us to do what we want with the property we own? However you answer, can you explain why?
If you or your team feel unsure of how to answer some of the above, or why it's important for anyone tending our landscapes be well informed around these topics, we'd love to connect and chat further.