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'LAKESCAPING:' ECOLOGICALLY FRIENDLY IDEAS FOR HOMES ON LAKES
There is more biological diversity at the shoreline of Minnesota's lakes, rivers and streams than in any other part of the state's ecosystem.
In the wild, the area where water meets land supports countless life forms, including large and small animals and birds, reptiles, insects, fish, land and aquatic plants, and millions of creatures too small to see.
Unfortunately, due to the way we've developed many of our lakeshores and river frontages, much of this biological diversity has been squeezed out and our lakes and streams are being polluted with runoff.
How many lake homes and cabins do you know that have replicated their suburban landscape by planting lawn right up to the water's edge? From an environmental standpoint, lakefront lawns that are fertilized and mowed are one of the worst possible choices for our state's 10,000 lakes.
I heard an inspiring presentation this past weekend called "Landscaping for Wildlife and Water Quality," by Carrol Henderson of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Henderson offers an alternative to lakeshore lawns that is proven to restore water quality, reduce lakeshore maintenance, attract wildlife, and be pleasing to the eye.
If you live on a lakeshore property that has lawn growing to the water's edge, I highly recommend you obtain a copy of the new DNR book "Landscaping for Wildlife and Water Quality." Its 175 pages are packed with useful information, colorful photos, how-to guidelines and plant lists for the most-desirable native aquatic and shoreline plants.
Henderson's talk offered the following eight steps for becoming an environment-friendly lake dweller.
1. Treat your portion of a lake or river shoreline as an ecosystem.
2. Consider shoreline as our "rain forest." It's an extremely vulnerable zone that can abound with marvelous natural diversity when it's carefully developed and maintained.
3. Rid your mind of the stereotype "perfect lakeshore lot" that is covered with a carpet of closely mown grass. It's not perfect, and it often creates major problems. Bluegrass lawns that abut a lakeshore can erode at a rate of 1 foot per year and they're a magnet for Canada geese. Worse still, each 1 lb. of phosphorus applied in a lawn fertilizer can produce 500 lbs. of algae per year due to runoff. Sadly, some of the largest lakeshore homes today - also known as "starter castles" - are also the worst polluters.
4. We need a "new vision" of what the perfect lakeshore lot should look like. Too many lakeshore dwellers copy their neighbor's lakeshore mistakes, rather than establishing a "lakescape" that protects water quality and more closely mimics nature.
5. The essence of lakescaping is creation of a shoreline buffer zone. Your buffer zone may include native trees, shrubs, wildflowers (forbs), grasses, sedges, and emergent and submergent aquatic plants. Although permits are required for most lakescape plans, the DNR and most local regulatory agencies are increasingly eager to work with property owners to implement lakescape plans.
6. In the buffer zone, preserve existing native plants, or restore the buffer zone using local-origin native plants. Avoid exotic species. Henderson explained that nurseries are often willing to obtain and stock native plants when multiple lake homeowners work together on a project.
7. Understand the difference between traditional gardening and lakescaping. Unlike exotic plants, native plants don't require that all of their needs be supplied by the gardener. The idea of lakescaping is to keep or restore the natural environment and select native plants to fit that environment.
8. Enjoy the benefits of lakescaping. These include, according to Henderson, preserving water quality, creating fish and wildlife habitat, protecting lake edge from erosion, providing homeowner privacy, adding natural beauty, providing natural insect control, discouraging Canada geese, reducing time and expense for lawn care, and reducing chemical and fertilizer use.
If lakescaping sounds like a concept you'd like to learn more about for your lakeshore or river frontage, the book can be purchased from Minnesota's Bookstore, 117 University Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155, or by calling 1-800-657-3757. It's also available from the Minnesota Landscape Arborteum and many other bookstores.
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PUTTING DOWN ROOTS:
A Delightful Blend of
Gardening Wisdom, Wit
and Whimsy
$10 + $2 for shipping
by Cliff Johnson |
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