Make your home and garden nature friendly. 503-201-0667 Learn how to construct a natural landscape by building a shallow depression in your yard.Designed to absorb Portland rainwater runoff from rooftops, driveways or patios and to help control wet soil conditions in your yard. When the rain falls a rain garden can collect harmful substances such as lawn pesticides, fertilizers and prevent them from moving into lakes and streams. I often use river rock and grasses with native plants to create a natural feel. Rain gardens are not only functional by keeping our rivers clean they can be a fun hobby and an efficient way to soak up the Portland rain.
A garden with seasonal interest makes the indoor space come alive. Having a natural approach to garden design will embrace the Northwest life style. Use native plants, river rock, stone, vine maples, ferns, lavender, grapes, blueberries, no thorn blackberries, plants for food and ornamental grasses that provide sound and movement with every breeze. Chose plants with structure, color, texture and form but are easy to care for if they are native plants. Add a dry river bed and gravel paths that crunch under foot. Outdoor fire pits can add days spent outside when it's cold but the rain has not yet started. Once the rain starts it is time to propagate your favorite plants such as lavender. By loving the land you can make every day feel like you live in a meadow near Mt. Hood or your favorite lake or beach retreat.