Sustainability: to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
World Commission on Environment and Development, 1989

These days, we are all hearing more about how to make sustainable choices for our transportation, shopping, and housing needs. Some of the ways we measure sustainability are: how efficiently we use the earth's resources, whether our use is part of resources' natural cycle and allows them to be replenished, and how much waste is created. These same criteria can be used when making choices on how to design a sustainable garden or to add sustainable features to an existing garden. These choices will lead to a garden that fulfills your garden "wish list" while working in harmony with the natural systems already in place on your site, and that can be successfully maintained with IPM strategies.

Step One: Analyze Your Garden Site

This is the first and most important step in sustainable garden design. Analyzing your garden site means simply to make a detailed examination of it just the way it is, and take note of all its elements and qualities, both natural and man-made. A thorough analysis will lead you to design choices that are right for you and your site.

An easy way to get started is to visit Google Maps to view a "bird's eye" image of your property. Use it to make a simple sketch of where all your structures are situated, as well as trees and other major landscape features. Take a look at the neighboring properties that are uphill or on the south side of your site also, as they are likely to affect your sunlight and drainage patterns.

Then take your sketch outside in order to note your observations about your site's natural resources:
1) How sunlight moves through your garden site. Choose a day when you have time to go out in your garden several times, so that you can note approximately how many hours of direct light are received in the areas with the most and the least sun. Note the date you made these observations also, which will help you estimate how the sunlight patterns will likely change during the rest of the year.

2) How the wind moves through your garden site. Our strongest and windiest winter storms come from the south and west, and our coldest come from the north and east. Note whether your site is exposed to these winds, and where it has protection from them.

3) How water moves through your site. The roof runoff that is directed through your downspouts or coming from slopes and subsurface water all have a major influence on the drainage of your garden site. Note any places that collect water in the rainy months and those that seem to stay the driest. If you live in Seattle, you can view how your subsurface drain system connects to the city sewer line here.

4) The type of native soil you have on your site. You may have multiple soil types because of the site disturbance during home construction, so it's best to take samples from several areas. Then test each sample for its 3 main components.

5) Other resources such as: leaves and needles from trees and shrubs that can be composted or used as mulch, a broken sidewalk whose pieces could be reused to create a patio, a retaining wall, rockery, or driveway that absorbs heat to create warmer soil conditions nearby.

Step Two: Create Your Wish List

You can begin this step any time, but I suggest waiting until after your site analysis because many times your close observations of the site will lead you to different desires or priorities than you may have beforehand. Here are some questions to ask yourself and other family members when creating a wish list:

• What are the things you like about your landscape? Do you have a favorite area?
• What are the ways that you and your family currently use your landscape?
• What are all the activities you would like to be able to do there? (Examples: grow food, dine, play games, or attract birds, butterflies, or other wildlife.)
• Which plants or garden features especially appeal to you, or bring back happy memories?
• Do you want to improve your view or privacy, screen utility poles, traffic, etc?
• Do you need to increase your outdoor storage space for tools, firewood, etc?
• Are there any physical issues that affect your ability to garden?
• What is the average number of people you entertain on a single occasion?
• Do you have plans to remodel your home that include changes to its exterior?

View a Sample Wish List

Step Three: Natural Decisions

Plan some time when you can contemplate your site analysis sketch and notes with your completed wish list in hand. Use a sheet of tracing paper over your sketch to "try on" wish list items in various areas of the site. Some items will dovetail easily with your site analysis, such as locating your food growing in the sunniest areas or locating a dining area close to the home for easy access. Others you will need to contemplate for a while. Before putting a shovel to earth, or beginning to create any items on your wish list, consider how each one functions with the others. Can any of them be combined into one garden element that takes advantage of your site conditions? For instance:

• A row of dwarf fruit trees can function to screen out an undesirable view and provide a windbreak.
• A low spot can be made into a rain garden that attracts birds and other wildlife.
  
• An area of deep shade where it stays too dry to grow plants could be used for a garden shed or a shady play area.
• A worm bin for composting food scraps can also double as a child-size table in a play area, or a bench in a seating area.
• A covered deck or patio can contain an arbor to grow edible vines.
• A fence along an alley can contain a built-in nook for easy access storage of garbage, yard waste, recycling, and compost bins.
  
  

It's worth every minute of the time you spend in analyzing and contemplating your choices and challenges. When your garden design includes elements that take advantage of your site's resources and allow them to be replenished, generate little waste, work together to fulfill your wish list efficiently, and provide easy access for all its uses, you will truly have created a sustainable design!