Category: Landscape Design

  • Create an Allergy-Free Oasis: How to Landscape for Ragweed Season

    Create an Allergy-Free Oasis: How to Landscape for Ragweed Season

    As we are well within late summer and the dreaded hayfever season is upon us, many find themselves battling the sniffles, sneezes, and itchy eyes of seasonal allergies, like me. While you can’t control the pollen count in the broader environment, you can significantly reduce your exposure and create a more comfortable sanctuary within your own backyard through strategic landscaping.

    The primary culprit of late summer and fall allergies is ragweed, a common weed that loves disturbed and forgotten areas. This evil plant releases vast quantities of extra-fine, lightweight pollen that can travel for hundreds of miles on the wind. Ragweed, being a wind-pollinated plant, requires the wind to spread its pollen from the male to female plants.

    On the other hand, many people mistakenly attribute their fall allergies to the beautiful and showy Goldenrod. Goldenrod’s pollen is heavy and sticky because it is insect-pollinated, requiring the showy flower to attract insects.

    goldenrod with asters
    a field of goldenrod and asters, both are allergy friendly, insect pollened plants

    Identifying and Eliminating Ragweed

    Before you can tackle ragweed, you need to know what it looks like. Common ragweed has fern-like leaves and produces small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers on spikes, like the plant shown in the photo. It thrives in disturbed soil and is typically found in bare patches of your lawn or garden, as well as along the edges of gravel driveways and roads.

    The most effective way to reduce its impact is to remove it before it has a chance to release its pollen. Hand-pulling is a good option, especially after a rain when the soil is soft.

    Ragweed plant growing in a crack
    A ragweed plant showing its typical leaf and form, albeit a bit smaller than normal.

    Tips for Allergy-Conscious Landscaping:

    Beyond ragweed removal, a well-planned and maintained landscape can help reduce your exposure to these airborne allergens. Consider the following strategies:

    Mindful Maintenance:

    How you care for your yard can make a big difference. Keeping your lawn mowed to a height of about 5 cm or two inches helps to prevent grasses from flowering and releasing pollen. It also helps to ensure the weeds, like ragweed, are crowded out by the grass. It’s also best to tackle yard work on days with lower pollen counts, typically after a rain or in the evening.

    Poorly maintained lawn full of blooming ragweed
    This is what you want to avoid! A poorly maintained lawn full of blooming ragweed. By keeping the grass maintained at 5cm or 2 inches helps to avoids this.

    Strategic Use of Hardscaping:

    Replacing some of your lawn with patios, walkways, or decks can reduce the area where pollen-producing vegetation can grow in your yard. These surfaces are also easy to clean, preventing pollen from accumulating. However, be cautious not to have too many hard surfaces, as this can lead to excessive stormwater runoff (a different concern).

    Create a Windbreak:

    Planting a dense hedge of low-allergen trees or shrubs can create a natural barrier that helps filter out windblown pollen from neighbouring areas. Choose varieties that are not significant pollen producers themselves, such as cherry trees, dogwoods, or hawthorns. With this type of hedge, you will also be supporting many pollinating insects, such as butterflies.

    Choosing Low-Allergen Plants for Southern Ontario

    The cornerstone of an allergy-friendly garden is selecting plants that produce little to no airborne pollen. Typically, plants with large, showy flowers are insect-pollinated and are safer to use in your plan. These showy flowers are designed to attract insects and usually have a heavier, stickier pollen, which can hitchhike to the next plant when the insect stops by each flower for a quick sip of tasty nectar.

    On the other hand, some trees and shrubs are dioecious, such as holly (Ilex spp.), meaning the male and female parts are on different plants. These dioecious plants typically use the wind to spread the pollen between them. If you are selecting a dioecious plant only because of its leaf characteristics, it is best to choose the female varieties, whenever possible, as they do not produce pollen.

    Some of My Favourites:

    • Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
      • An early spring-flowering small tree or shrub that produces a tasty, edible, blueberry-sized fruit.
    • Hydrangea
      • This later-season flowering shrub has large, round flowers that dry and stay on the shrub over winter.
    • Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
      • This perennial, with its pale purple flowers, is enjoyed by many pollinating insects, including many butterflies.
    Hydrangea flower
    Hydrangea flower
    Serviceberry flower
    Serviceberry flower

    Plants to Avoid

    Just as important as knowing what to plant is knowing what to avoid. Steer clear of plants that are known to be significant pollen and allergy producers, including:

    • High-Pollen Trees: Ash, Birch, Cedar, Elm, Oak, Pine
    • Grasses: Bermuda, Fescue, Timothy
    • Weeds: Besides ragweed, be on the lookout for other common allergenic weeds that typically have non-showy green flowers, like lamb’s quarters and nettles.

    By implementing these landscaping strategies and making thoughtful plant selections, you can create a beautiful and inviting outdoor space that serves as a welcome retreat during the height of ragweed season. A little planning can go a long way in reducing your allergy symptoms and allowing you to fully enjoy your yard.

    Have you ever blamed beautiful goldenrod for your sniffles? You’re not alone! Share your own allergy stories with our community below.

    **TL;DR:**

    • Your late summer allergies are from the ugly green-flowered ragweed, not the beautiful yellow-flowered goldenrod.
    • Mow or pull ragweed out of your yard now before it releases pollen.
    • For long-term relief:
      • landscape with showy, insect-pollinated flowers (like Hydrangea),
      • plant dense hedges to block windblown pollen,
      • avoid high-pollen trees like cedars, oaks and birch.

    Staff News:

    Owner and Landscape Architect Kevin Post recently completed the challenger’s course of the Wilderness Traverse Adventure Race. Kevin and his team completed the course in just over 31 hours, after dealing with extreme heat and a broken derailer hanger.

    After the race, Kevin wait for two separate canoe trips along the Historic French River. His trip report can be found on his Linked In page:

    https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7366197495963504640

    3D scanning technology is transforming landscape design, especially for hilly and treed sites, by providing accurate and detailed spatial data. It minimizes uncertainties in the design process, improves client communication.

  • Hilly Site? Replacing Your Landscape? Feel Confident Your Dream Align.

    Hilly Site? Replacing Your Landscape? Feel Confident Your Dream Align.

    Do you have a Hilly or Treed Site and are considering updating your landscape design?

    Our 3D scanners and 3D landscape design programs ensure your designs align.

    Recently, I was out on a very sloped site, completing a 3D scan of a client’s project site. The site was so steep that I slipped a few times as I worked my way up the hill, repositioning the scanner multiple times to ensure I captured all the fine details of the existing wood stairs and the old, ruined stone ones hidden beneath. As I reviewed my iPad, guaranteeing the quality of the scan, I thought, how would one be able to accurately capture these existing conditions using the older methods, a tape measure, laser level, line altimeter, or a transit surveying, that many landscape architects and designers still use?

    As a landscape architect specializing in challenging terrains featuring hills and dense tree coverage, I sincerely appreciate 3D scanning technology and its transformative effect on my work. This cutting-edge tool enhances the accuracy of my designs and significantly improves the efficiency of site assessments and planning.

    Here’s how 3D scanning has become indispensable in navigating the complexities of hilly and treed environments.

    Accurate Location of Site Elements and Great Details

    One of the most compelling advantages of 3D scanners is their remarkable ability to capture extensive spatial data with exceptional detail and precision swiftly. In landscape architecture, every element, whether natural or manufactured, must be considered during the design phase. 3D scanning enables us to create precise digital models and a digital twin, facilitating meticulous analysis comfortably in our office. Additionally, the point cloud produced by the scanner provides a realistic visualization of the site, even if we envision specific components partially or entirely removed.

    * The 3D scanner creates a point cloud or digital twin, which is made from millions of coloured dots. We use Leica’s BLK360G1 photographic Lidar 3D scanner; it has an accuracy of 6mm at 10m (1/4″ at 30′) and captures up to 360,000 points per sec. (Leica spec sheet)

    Minimizing the Unknowns while our Enhanced Decision-Making

    Working in 3D significantly reduces the number of unknowns in the design process, especially for our clients. Traditional surveying techniques leave information gaps, such as smugged or hard-to-read field notes or missing angles within the site photos. Many times, these information gaps can lead to complications, delays, and potential price increases as these issues and unknowns are corrected and the design modified.

    On the other hand, 3D scanning allows us to proof our work on-site as we scan in real-time. On the iPad tablet, we see the site being digitally twined as the scan is completed. If any areas are missing, we reposition the scanner to ensure all areas are captured completely and accurately.

    By clearly understanding the position of each element within the landscape and its surrounding context, we can plan to prevent potential design or construction conflicts with trees and buildings. We can also plan interventions that respect the existing flora and enhance the overall ecological balance.

    Quick study of a patio and pergola in deferent locations in the yard, plus preliminary study of the stairs. Being able to spin the view around and look at the element within the existing context from every align allows us to provide better usable designs.

    Facilitating Communication and Collaboration

    Back in the office, we can use the point cloud to visualize the entire site from any angle and overlay our proposed landscape design. Our clients can easily visualize and relate to the project and its existing topography, which fosters better understanding and collaborative decision-making. This allows us to discuss comprehensively how the proposed designs will interact with the existing landscape, including the surrounding context, such as views from neighbours’ windows and shade from existing buildings and trees.

    Similarly, construction teams can utilize the 3D scan and detailed 3D models during pricing and implementation, ensuring the vision is executed accurately. This proactive approach minimizes surprises and helps ensure designs align smoothly with your vision while blending perfectly with the slopes and contours of the land.

    Closing Thoughts

    Integrating 3D scanning into my landscape architecture practice has revolutionized how I approach projects, especially those on hilly and wooded sites. This technology provides rich, accurate data about the landscape and empowers me to design responsibly while minimizing the environmental impact. With 3D scanning, I can confidently navigate the complexities of each site, ensuring sustainable and aesthetically pleasing outcomes that honour the beauty of nature. As landscape architecture continues to evolve, embracing these technological advancements will be key to achieving innovative and environmentally conscious designs.

    **TL;DR:**

    • 3D scanning technology is transforming landscape design, especially for hilly and treed sites, by providing accurate and detailed spatial data.
    • It minimizes uncertainties in the design process, improves client communication, and allows for real-time adjustments on-site.
    • Utilizing tools like the Lecia’s BLK360G1 scanner enhances the accuracy of designs, facilitates collaboration, and promotes sustainable practices in landscape architecture.

    Staff News:

    Owner and Landscape Architect Kevin Post recently received his Orienteering Canadian O100 certification and is halfway through his O200 certification. These certifications prove that the event organizers have the fundamental knowledge and experience to create safe and challenging orienteering races for all levels. He also designed the well-received Toronto Orienteering Club’s Cup racecourse under the mentorship of the club’s president, Andrew.

    3D scanning technology is transforming landscape design, especially for hilly and treed sites, by providing accurate and detailed spatial data. It minimizes uncertainties in the design process, improves client communication.

  • Virtual Blooms: A New Era for Landscape Architecture

    Virtual Blooms: A New Era for Landscape Architecture

    The Importance of Understanding Landscape Designs

    Have you ever struggled to visualize how a landscape design will look and function in your outdoor space? It can be challenging to fully understand the scope and impact of a design plan based solely on 2D drawings or computer renderings, and some people may never fully grasp it. This lack of clarity can lead to disappointment and costly changes during the construction phase.

    At Beyond The POST, we understand how crucial it is to ensure that the final landscape design concept outcome meets your expectations and aligns with your vision. That’s why we offer a solution that enables you, as our client, to have a physical experience of your landscape designs before the construction process begins. By integrating virtual reality technology into our design process, we provide assurance and confidence that traditional methods cannot match.

    Walking Through Your Design in Virtual Reality

    Imagine stepping into your future outdoor space and exploring it from every angle. With our virtual reality experience, you can do just that. When you wear a VR headset, you enter into a realistic, immersive 3D representation of your landscape design. You can walk through pathways, admire the plantings, and even “sit” in the proposed seating areas.

    This immersive experience allows you to truly understand the scale and proportions of the design. You can understand how different elements relate to one another and how they fit within the context of your property. It’s like a virtual test drive for your outdoor space.

    The Benefits of Virtual Reality in Landscape Design

    Investing in a virtual reality walkthrough for landscape design may seem like an additional expense, but it is a worthwhile investment that can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run. Here are some of the key benefits:

    1. Accurate Visualization
      Virtual reality allows you to see your design in a 1 to 1 scale, providing a much more precise representation than traditional drawings or computer renderings. This level of detail enables you to make informed decisions on everything from layout to material selection and ensure that the design meets your expectations.
    2. Early Problem Identification
      By experiencing your design in virtual reality, you can identify potential issues or challenges before construction begins. This early problem identification can prevent costly changes or delays down the line. It avoids the “I wish I had known that would be that size or look like that.”
    3. Improved Communication
      Virtual reality also enhances communication between you, the client, and our design team. It eliminates the ambiguity that often arises when describing a design concept or envisioning the final result. With virtual reality, you can examine the space, while we see what you see, leading to a smoother and more collaborative design process. 
    4. Design Optimization
      With active links between your virtual reality tour and our modelling program, we can even make minor changes during our meeting, allowing you to see the results and impacts of your comments while immersed. You can experiment with different materials, colours, and layouts to find the perfect combination that suits your taste and preferences. This iterative process ensures you have a perfectly tailored final design to your needs.

    Conclusion

    Virtual reality is revolutionizing the way we approach landscape design. It provides an understanding and confidence that traditional methods simply cannot match. By investing in virtual reality, you are investing in the future of your outdoor space. You can ensure that what is built is exactly what you want, saving you time, money, and potential disappointment.

    This video clip is our first trial of a virtual reality site visit – the quality is not the best, but it gives you a clear idea of what our technology is capable of – imagine that you are fully immersed and what you see in the video surrounds you. We use this digital twin as the base model, then overlay all the parts of your wishes and needs to create the best concept for you and your family.

    Beyond The POST is committed to staying at the forefront of landscape architecture and design. We believe that embracing new technologies, such as virtual reality and 3D scanning technology, is essential to providing our clients with the best possible service and results. Contact us today to learn more about how virtual reality can transform your landscape design experience.

    Four Benefits of Virtual Reality in Landscape Design and Review Process. Investing in a virtual reality tour of landscape design may seem like an additional expense, but it is a worthwhile investment that can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run. Here are some of the key benefits

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