September 15, 2022 1:26 pm
Published by Steve Dana
When you seek to design landscape architecture for your business or community space, one goal is overarching. You want it to be a place that people enjoy. Time spent in nature is great for our well-being, and when you provide an opportunity for that, people appreciate it. People-friendly green spaces also invite respite that can support better interactions with your organization. For example, a tired mom who is running errands with the kiddos might be ready to make more stops in your shopping district after she gets a break with her coffee while the kids run around. The family of a sick patient might feel comforted and encouraged after spending some time in the hospital’s outdoor space. The value of designing green spaces for people to enjoy is clear. But how do you do that? Well, here are four tips to create a landscape people want to spend time in. #1 Make Shade Available in Your Landscape Design There are many benefits to planting ample trees in your landscape architecture. But as tips to create a landscape people want to spend time in go, this is a big one. Why? Because of shade! Whether you live in a super sunny, […]
August 15, 2022 2:06 pm
Published by Steve Dana
For much of human history, time was spent predominantly outdoors. In the beginning, we mostly lived outside—in the woods, the fields, the open expanses. And even in decades as recent as the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, we spent ample time exploring in the open air. But with the advent of so much incredible technology within the home, we have experienced a shift in how we spend our time, both in childhood and beyond. Now, there are literally endless options for things to do in the palms of our hands. We find avenues of play on iPads in toddlerhood. Schoolwork is made possible by Google. Our work life demands that we stay very much glued to our screens. The conversations that connect us with friends and family are so often centered on the shows we’re all watching. We live, undeniably, in quite a novel age. But all this technology keeps us indoors, away from nature. And we should still prioritize nature where we can. Because our mind and body crave it. Without it, a sense of disconnectedness and loss sets in. It’s called Nature-Deficit Disorder. What Is Nature-Deficit Disorder? In 2005, Richard Louv introduced the concept and coined the term in […]
July 18, 2022 4:35 pm
Published by Steve Dana
There are many goals for an ideal landscape. First, you certainly want it to be aesthetically pleasing. Second, you need to ensure it is enjoyable for people to use, or at the very least, safe for them to navigate. Next, you may want to design it to be easy to maintain. You could also craft a landscape that makes the best use of natural resources like water. But lastly, and often overlooked, you should design a landscape that can better combat air pollution. Altogether, it’s a tall order. That’s why we have become experts at executing just such ideal landscape architecture for our clients here at Jerry Pate Design. But today, we’re going to break it down and help you to explore the final of those goals. Here is how landscape architecture can better combat air pollution. You Can Combat Air Pollution by Being Thoughtful About Plant and Tree Selection Mother Nature herself can’t always decide precisely which plants and trees will go where. One wishes she could, because certain plant varieties can have an immense impact on clearing air pollution. You can help by doing this for her! Plants and trees purify the air by both removing pollutants and […]
June 13, 2022 7:09 pm
Published by Steve Dana
There are many reasons to seek water-saving methods in your commercial landscape. For starters, you are helping the planet by reserving resources. But you’ll also find your wallet heftier and your maintenance needs more minimal—win, win, win! Let’s talk about the three best ways to conserve water in your commercial landscape. #1 Optimize with a Certified Irrigation Designer One way to conserve water in your commercial landscape is to take a step that will improve every aspect of it: hire a Certified Irrigation Designer. Working hand in hand with one of these licensed experts, you can create a landscape that makes water usage ideal. We’ve discussed the four main methods of irrigation before. But the best way to conserve water is to work with a pro who can help you identify the perfect one for your microclimate and needs. #2 Consider Hardscaping We all love a lushly green expanse of healthy grasses and beautiful trees and plants. Still, when we think about water consumption, it helps to incorporate hardscape. Where there are hard surfaces instead of plant-based ones, you can save plenty of water. Concrete, pavers, brick—there are many choices. A professional landscape architecture company, and especially one with a […]
May 9, 2022 2:30 pm
Published by Steve Dana
Here in the South, we’ve got a beautiful climate. With a mostly mild take on each season, we get just a touch of the quarterly shifts without the more extreme conditions. But that also means that choosing flowers for this landscape demands an understanding of what does well in an environment that maintains more warmth and humidity year-round than others. After all, no one likes a wilted flower. There are always the mainstays, like azaleas and camellias. But let’s talk about five flowers hardy enough for the South about which you might not already know! #1 The Obedient Plant This flowering plant’s appeal is in its name! For starters, it’s perennial, meaning it returns to bloom for multiple growing seasons. Win! But this plant is also native to the Southern United States and that becomes obvious when you see how happily it grows. Give it the space it enjoys (about 18 inches between two seeds), and it will prove pretty low-maintenance. #2 Black-Eyed Susan Cheery and happy to bake in the sunshine of summer, black-eyed susans are a key component in any low-maintenance garden. As flowers hardy enough for the South go, this brilliant little burst of color might […]