admin 
Another technique that I have been successful with is actually stripping the native sod, not just the topsoil. Essentially you are saving the native plants to replant on the site at a later date. This is a big investment, as somebody needs to take care of your plants while your construction is being done. However, … Read more
Another key component of restoring native plants on a site, in addition to minimizing site disturbance, is retaining as much native top soil from the site as possible. When we bring in topsoil from off site we not only bring in the soil, but many of the weeds and other seeds from that site. The … Read more
Weeds are the bain of any native restoration. Disturbed areas, such as the post excavated site in this photo, are ripe for weeds to come in. One of the biggest difficulties of site work for new construction is minimizing the extent of disturbance. When contractors are on site, their goal is to get the work done … Read more
Over the coming months, we will be providing lots of tips, ideas and information about landscape architecture, garden design, and plant selection for cold climates. Have you ever wondered what exactly a landscape architect does? Are you curious about landscape design techniques for cold climates? Do you want to find out more about the benefits … Read more
In the project for the Clear Sky Meditation and Study Center property in Fort Steele, BC, the master plan provides coherence, quality and balance between its grounds and buildings, paying special attention to land use in accordance with the overall spiritual character, future recreational development, grassland restoration and wildlife habitat sensitivity.The phasing of Clear Sky’s … Read more
A One Acre Cold Climate Food Forest This one-acre food forest site employs an integrated, sustainable agroforestry system that provides diverse harvests and builds soil health. This project is located at and lead by Clear Sky Centre, in South Eastern BC. The model tests diverse food plant varieties arranged into multiple canopy layers and alleys, … Read more
Three Dog Ranch is a prominent boarding kennel in Whitefish, Montana. Leslie, while working for her former employer, Bruce Boody Landscape Architects, designed the new entryway with an accessible ramp and plantings, as well as creating a master plan with revised circulation, dog yards and areas for future development. One of the challenges in kennel … Read more
Sustainability Education in the East Kootenay In conjunction with wildlife biologist and agrologist, Peter Davidson, Beargrass Landscape Architecture’s Leslie Lowe, was asked to develop a series of repeatable modules by Clear Sky Meditation Center, BC. One of the goals of Clear Sky is to reach out to the larger community of the East Kootenays in … Read more
I love the winter, the stark images, the squeaking snow under my skis, the smooth glide of my skates on ice, and watching my dogs frolic and slide on the slopes like fur-bound toboggans. Spring is like watching my world wake up from a slumber, gently stretching towards the sun, unfurling each leaf like frozen … Read more