Natural Landscaping in Northfield, Minnesota and the Cannon River Region

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Natural Landscaping
in Northfield and the Cannon River Region

“…Landscape is the source of life for the community of creatures that inhabit it and in many ways for the people of the region as well.” However, “(the English landscape garden) is not a community of plants all interacting within a shared environment but a collection of plants living more or less independently. Since there is no plant community there is also no wildlife community. Most species native to the region can make no use of the plants in this landscape and so choose not to live within it."

Quoted from "Landscape: Source of Life or Liability" by John Tillman Lyle
(in Reshaping the Built Environment)

The cultural norms that influence the structure of today’s residential lawns and landscapes often completely ignore the natural vegetation available, and once widely abundant, within the geographic region of the selected area of development. The use of exotic plants and cropped-grass lawns throughout a neighborhood creates large areas void of habitat for wildlife native to the region and endangers the environment of nearby natural areas (MN DNR 2004). Many people cultivate these lawnscapes out of convenience, believing they require less maintenance; however, native plants often are better suited to the local climate and other environmental factors, and they require less watering, mulching, and protection (Wasowski 2000). The open-lawn landscaping trend is also popular simply due to the conventional standards that have been shaped by historical cultural values and society’s unwillingness to break away from them.

Sidewalk view of a conventional lawn

Sidewalk view of a natural lawn

Many sources highlight the benefits of natural landscaping and emphasize the popularity of planting native species of flora, but I have yet to see the much evidence of a 'landscaping revolution' in neighborhoods near me. Through this research project, my goal is to introduce Northfield residents (among others) to natural landscaping, and to encourage its application in local lawns.

Methodology (author's note)

Being that the goals of this project are rooted in public education, I approached my research as 'information gathering' sessions, searching for material that would be useful for someone interested in natural landscaping. To gain a better understanding of the sort of information an average Northfield citizen may need to know, I went on many bike riding adventures through local neighborhoods and simply observed. I noted some of the basic landscaping elements I saw (or didn't see), such as types of plants, organization of plants, size of gardens, existence of sprinkler systems, etc, etc. Using this information to guide me, I headed to the library to dig in various books and conduct crazy Internet searches. As the research progressed, I quickly learned that SO MUCH natural landscaping information was SO IMPORTANT and SO INTERESTING, and I soon was trying to include it all. Therefore, several sections within the site are quite basic and should really serve only as a primer to natural landscaping. My hope, however, is that, as a primer, this website will reach more people, giving them just enough information to spark their interest in the current landscaping revolution. It's time to look at our old lawns with new eyes!

learn some basic lawn history
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Lawn History

A Landscaping Revolution

Getting Started

CAUTION!!!

Northfield Lawns

Local Resources

Conclusions

Natural Landscaping in Northfield and the Cannon River Region
	Jorie Patricia Schwarten Environmental Studies 399: Spring 2004 St. Olaf College