Try it! There's a landscaping contest
If you're thinking about garden design, consider permaculture. Jessi Lyons, a resource educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Syracuse, says it means planning out the garden with attention to 'stories' of plants from high up to ground level, and emphasis on perennials and multi-season results. Lyons says the permaculture garden includes more native plants and is more animal and insect friendly.
Theres a Permaculture Design competition underway, aimed at turning an empty lot at the soon-to-open Rahma Free Health Clinic at 3100 South Salina Street in Syracuse into a 'grazing garden.' Lyons, who's on the jury to pick the winner, says it will be designed to allow passers-by to pick a quick snack as they pass, and to provide a stress relieving spot. And, since it will be maintained by volunteers, the garden must also be low-maintenance.
Entries for the contest are due April 1st, 5pm to www.alchemicalnursery.org , where there's also more information.
The winner will be announced at the Upstate NY Permaculture gathering in Rochester on April 9: the winner gets $250 and will see his/her design implemented.
Some books for reference: 'Edible Lands' by Rosalind Creasy; 'Food not Lawns' by H.C. Flores; 'Intro to Permaculture' by Bill Mollison; 'Permaculture: A Designer's Manual' by Bill Mollison. All are available through the Onondaga County Public Library.
