Advance Praise for ENERGy-WISE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Sue Reed has compiled an extremely useful and readable book on ways in which we can design and manage landscapes with the goal of conserving - and even producing - energy. I have not seen another book which brings together so many useful concepts and practical information. This comprehensive book, written in a direct, non~jargonistic manner, will be of tremendous value to everyone from individual homeowners to students of environmental design. -DARREL MORRISON, Professor and Dean Emeritus, School of Environmental Design, University of Georgia and Adjunct Professor, Master of Science in Landscape Design Program, Columbia University Plants matter, and no one has articulated their role in conserving energy in our landscapes bet~ ter than Susan Reed. Energy~wise Landscape Design is a comprehensive yet unusually readable review of the whys and wherefores of designing ecologically responsible landscapes. If you are looking for easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint while helping to sustain the ecosystems that sustain you, read this book. - DOUG TALLAMY, author of Bringing Nature Home This long overdue book is well organized, well written and well illustrated, a fine cohesive work that deserves focused reading. It will be a must~read for all design students, and a reach~for book for landscape professionals who wish to fill some of the gaps in their own education and design work. -WALTER CUDNOHUFSKY, Landscape Architect, and Founder, Conway School of Landscape Design Energy~ Wise Landscape Design integrates specific design solutions directed toward energy conser~ vation with sustaining the natural environment. Too many books about energy~efficient landscapes ignore the energy values of nature itself and propose clearing trees or whole forests to open vistas for solar and wind power. Sue Reed's step~by~step suggestions make change towards sustainable landscaping doable, instead of difficult and unfamiliar. - LESLIE JONES SAUER, author of The Once and Future Forest Advance Praise continued Sue Reed's book amounts to a conversation with the author who gently but inevitably convinces us to integrate thoughts about energy into all our concepts of action and beauty. She brilliantly focuses on the what and why of designing landscapes for the needs of users in the 21st century. This is a must read for those who want guidance for the landscapes of their existing properties or are about to build a new home. Her poetic conclusive paragraphs should be required reading for all, and especially for landscape architects and designers. -DON WALKER, Landscape Architect and retired Director, Conway School of Landscape Design Sue Reed has done something wonderful in this ambitious first book - in friendly, plain lan~ guage she has leaped over the mundane of the "how to" genre to infuse the reader with real awareness and understanding of basic principles of natural process and about the benefits and methods of gently milking nature for its goodness. -BRAD JOHNSON, Landscape Architect, Brad Johnson + Associates (BradJohnson.ca) This is no vapid coffee~table garden book to be merely flipped through and set aside. Nor is it a depressing diatribe about inevitable environmental decline and culpability. Energy~wise Landscape Design is filled with practical, specific design advice that will inspire you to get up and get work~ ing to make a better home landscape for yourself and the planet. - PAUL CAWOOD HELLMUND, ASLA, President/Director, Conway School of Landscape Design, Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design, and co~author / editor of Designing Greenways and Ecology of Greenways Iflike most people, you've just thought about saving energy in terms of what goes on inside your home, you're in for a big and pleasant surprise, as Sue Reed guides you to understand how mak~ ing your property more beautiful with landscaping, done properly, can also generate considerable savings in your annual energy bills while making your home more comfortable. A big three~for~ one benefit! - JERRY YUDELSON, author of Choosing Green: The Homebuyers Guide to Good Green Homes A New Approach for your Home and Garden SUE REED Illustrations by I ate Dana NEW SOCIETY PUBLISHERS Cataloging in Publication Data: A catalog record for this publication is available from the National Library of Canada. Copyright © 2010 by Sue Reed. All rights reserved. Cover design by Diane McIntosh. Inside: Photography by Sue Reed, except where noted; Illustrations by Kate Dana, except where noted. Printed in Canada by Friesens. First printing January 2010. Paperback ISBN: 978-0-86571-653-7 Inquiries regarding requests to reprint all or part of Energy-wise Landscape Design should be addressed to New Society Publishers at the address below. To order directly from the publishers, please call toll-free (North America) 1-800-567 -6772, or order online at www.newsociety.com Any other inquiries can be directed by mail to: New Society Publishers P.O. Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC VOR 1XO, Canada (250) 247-9737 New Society Publishers' mission is to publish books that contribute in fundamental ways to building an eco logically sustainable and just society, and to do so with the least possible impact on the environment, in a manner that models this vision. We are committed to doing this not just through education, but through action. This book is one step toward ending global deforestation and climate change. It is printed on Forest Stewardship Council-certified acid-free paper that is 100% post-consumer recycled (100% old growth forest-free), processed chlorine free, and printed with vegetable-based, low-VOC inks, with covers produced using FSC-certified stock. New Society also works to reduce its carbon footprint, and purchases carbon offsets based on an annual audit to ensure a carbon neutral footprint. For further information, or to browse our full list of books and purchase securely, visit our website at: www.newsociety.com ~·~UJ./"'(", - ~O O~ ~ ~ ~ Recycled ~)i Supporting ",sponsible use of forast resources FSC www.lse.or9 eert no. SW·COC·1271 NEW SOCIETY PUBLISHERS 01996 _IS_ _h lp Co ...e ll Contents Ackn owl edgme nt s +.... ix + + ...... + .............. ++ .... + + + .... + .............. ++ ...... + + ...... + .............. ++ .... + + + .... + .............. ++ ...... + + ...... + .............. ++ .... + + + .... + .............. ++ ...... + + ...... + .............. ++ .... + + + .... Int ro du cti n .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .............................. 1 0 Section I: Arranging the Landscape to Help Cool a House in Summer ..................................... 5 CHAPTER 1: THE S UN AND THE W IND 7 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CHAPTER 2: SHAD IN G THE HOUSE 21 ++.++ •• +++++++++++++++++++++++++.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ •• ++++ •• ACTION: Provide Shade During Early Morning and Late Afternoon .............................. 23 ACTION: Shade the House During Mid~afternoon and Mid~morning ............................. 26 ACTION: Shade South~facing Windows and Walls .............................................................. 30 CHAPTER 3: COOLING THE AIR AROUND THE HOUSE ...................................................... 35 ACTION: Add Trees and Many Other Plants to Your Landscape ...................................... 37 AC Tr0 N: Capture Breezes 38 + +++.+ +++ +++++ +++++ +++++++ +++++ +++++ +++ ++ +++ +++++ +++++ +++++++ +++++ +++++ +++ ++ +++ +++++ +++++ +++++++ +++++ ++++ CHAPTER 4: COOLING THE GROUND NEAR THE HOUSE .................................................. 43 ACTION: Shade the Ground with Living Plants ................................................................... 44 ACTION: Cover Bare Ground with Mulch 46 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ACTION: Minimize the Extent of Mown Lawn 46 HUU++UU .. ++.++ ........... ++ ............... ++++.++ ........... ++. ACTION: Minimize Hard Surfaces, Especially Near the House ........................................ 48 ACTION: Use lIeaal Pavement" On Driveways 49 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ v I VI ENERGY-WISE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Section II: Arranging the Landscape to Help Warm a House in Winter .................................. .53 CHAPTER 5: TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SUN'S HEAT ..................................................... 55 ACTION: Allow Maximum Sunlight to Reach the House at Midday ................................. .57 ACTION: Make the Most of Morning and Afternoon Sunlight. ........................................... 60 CHAPTER 6: REDUCING THE CHILLING EFFECT OF WINTER WIND .............................. 63 ACTION: Plant a Windbreak ...................................................................................................... 64 ACTION: Plant a Buffer near the House ................................................................................... 68 ACTION: Position Structures to Deflect Wind ....................................................................... 70 Section III: Designing the Realm of Plants ....................................................................................... 73 CHAPTER 7: CREATING HEALTHY WORKING ECOSYSTEMS .............................................. 75 ACTION: Use Regionally Native Plants .................................................................................... 77 ACTION: Select Plants That Contribute to the Work of Nature ......................................... 82 ACTION: Match Plants to Soil Conditions .............................................................................. 83 ACTION: Add Nothing; Just Remove Unwanted Plants ........................................................ 87 CHAPTER 8: REDUCING (OR ELIMINATING) LAWN ................................................................ 89 ACTION: Stop Mowing Some of the Lawn .............................................................................. 91 ACTION: Replace Some Amount of Existing Lawn with Other Elements ......................... 93 ACTION: Design a Lawn .... free Landscape ................................................................................. 96 CHAPTER 9: U SING WATER EFFICIENTLY .................................................................................. 99 ACTION: Design Gardens for Least Water Demand ............................................................ 100 ACTION: Manage Runoff with Topography .......................................................................... 103 ACTION: Collect Rainwater ...................................................................................................... 10 6 Section IV: Designing the Whole Property .................................................................................... 111 CHAPTER 10: FITTING THE LANDSCAPE TO THE LAND .................................................... 113 ACTION: Revise Your Ideas to Fit the Terrain ....................................................................... 115 ACTION: Use the Gentlest Terrain for Things That Need It .............................................. 116 ACTION: Use Steeper Slopes for Things That Don't Need Level Land ............................ 117 CHAPTER 11: DESIGNING THE CAR ZONE ............................................................................. 119 ACTION: Put the Driveway in the Right Place ...................................................................... 120 ACTION: Design the Car Zone Big Enough, but Not Too Big ........................................... 124 ACTIO N: Choose Suitable Paving MateriaL ........................................................................... 127 I Contents vii CHAPTER 12: MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY ELEMENT ................................................... 131 ACTION: Design for Function As Well As Appearance ....................................................... 131 ACTr 0 N: Design for Multipurpose 134 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ACTr 0 N : Use Materials Efficiently 136 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CHAPTER 13: SITUATING NEW HOMES WITH ENERGY IN MIND ................................ 139 ACTION: Position the House for Maximum Solar Gain ..................................................... 140 ACTION: Situate Buildings in Accord with the Wind .......................................................... 142 ACTr 0 N: Plan First, Cut Later 143 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ACTION: Buy the Right Land for Your Needs ....................................................................... 144 Section V: Construction and Care 147 ++++ +++++ ++++++++ +++++ +++++ ++++++++++++ +++++ ++++++++ +++++ +++++ ++++++++++++ +++++ ++++++++ +++++ ++++++++ CHAPTER 14: INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING PLANTED AREAS ................................. 149 ACTION: Limit Importing Topsoil from Ofrsite .................................................................. 149 ACTION: Amend Soil Only When Necessary, and with a Light Touch ............................ 152 ACTION: Plant Trees and Shrubs Properly ............................................................................ 158 ACTION: Mulch Bare Garden Soil ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 16 3 ACTION: Plant Wildflower Meadows So They Thrive ........................................................ 165 ACTION: Create Healthy Low ... maintenance Lawns +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++170 0 A CTr N: Water Wisely +++++++++++++ +++++ ++++++++++++ +++++ +++++++++++++ +++++ ++++++++++++ +++++ +++++++++++++ +++++ ++++++++++++ +++++ ++++ 173 ACT I 0 N: Acquire Plants Appropriately ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 176 CHAPTER 15: BUILDING STRUCTURES IN THE LANDSCAPE ............................................. 179 ACTION: Lay Patios and Paths to Be Durable ....................................................................... 179 ACTION: Build Stone Walls so They Hold Up Well ............................................................ 184 ACTION: Build Wood Structures for Long Life .................................................................... 186 ACTION: Use Alternative, Renewable Materials ................................................................... 192 CHAPTER 16: CONSTRUCTING NEW HOMESITES ................................................................ 197 ACTION: Protect the Site Before and During Construction ............................................... 197 ACTION: Use Energy-efficient Construction Techniques ................................................... 202 ACTION: Consider Building an Earth-sheltered Home ....................................................... 205 ACTION: Heal the Site after Construction ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++209 Section VI: Generating Energy in Your Landscape ....................................................................... 211 VIII ENERGY-WISE LANDSCAPE DESIGN CHAPTER 17: MAKING ELECTRICITY FROM SUNLIGHT ..................................................... 217 What's Inv alved? ... 218 + +++ .... +++++ +++++.+ .++ .. +. ++ +++ +++++.+ +++ .... +++++ +++++.+ .. ++ .. +. ++ +++ +++++.+ +++ .... +++++ +++ ++.+ .. ++ .. +. ++ +++ +++++ ... +++ ... +++++ +++ ++ What's Req ui red2 ................................................ 219 ++ .... ++ ........ + ................................................ ++ .... ++ ...... + .......................... + ...................... ++ .... ++ ................................ + ........ + .. CHAPTER 18: GENERATING ELECTRICITY FROM THE WIND .......................................... .223 Wh at's Inv ol ved ........ 224 ++ ...... ++ .................... +++ .... ++ ................... ++ ...... ++ .................... +++ .... ++ ................... ++ ...... ++ ............ ++ .... +++ .... ++ ................... ++ ...... ++ ............ ++ .... What's Re quire d ...................... 225 + + ...... + + ............ ++ .... +o. + ........................................................ ++ .... ++ + ...... + ................................................ +o. .... +o. ...... + ............................ CHAPTER 19: HARNESSING THE ENERGY OF FLOWING WATER .................................... 229 What's Inv olv ed2 ............................................................................................................................ 230 Whar 's Re quire d:> .......................................................................................................................... 230 CHAPTER 20: CAPTURING THE WARMTH OF THE GROUND ........................................... 235 What's Involved2 ............................................................................................................................ 235 What's Required:> .......................................................................................................................... 236 Section VII: Lights in the Landscape ............................................................................................... 239 CHAPTER 21: LIGHTING WITH ENERGY IN MIND ............................................................... 241 ACTION: Use the Right Energy Source for the Job ............................................................. .241 ACTION: Arrange Electrical Circuits to Allow Maximum Control .................................. .243 ACTION: Install Various Kinds of Controls ........................................................................... 244 ACTION: Use the Most Appropriate Light Bulb ................................................................... 246 ACTION: Point Light Downward, Not at the Sky ................................................................ 250 ACTION: Clean and Maintain Light Fixtures ........................................................................ 252 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 25 3 Appendix A: Details and Calculations ............................................................................................. 257 Appendix B: Plant Lists ...................................................................................................................... 265 Appendix C: Resources ....................................................................................................................... 27 3 Endnotes ................................................................................................................................................. 277 Bib liograp hy ........................................................................................................................................... 281 Index ........................................................................................................................................................ 285 About the Author ................................................................................................................................. 293