An urban garden softens the sometimes harshness of the concrete neighborhoods inherent with living in the city. They become an oasis off the street for many homeowners and outdoor living is trending very high in real estate – making it a must have for an urban lifestyle. Middlefork wants to impart our wisdom on what to be aware of, how to assess your space logically and creatively, and how to maintain it easily through landscape irrigation.
Landscape irrigation is a watering system that many homeowners use to maintain lawns, gardens, and custom landscapes ensuring that water is spread regularly and evenly throughout any given landscape. Whether basic or high-tech, irrigation systems distribute the correct amounts of water in the right places and are essential to maintenance throughout the season.
The type of system depends on a number of factors, like size of the lawn or garden, location, and the environment of the garden surroundings. It will also depend on the different types of plant life. So there are many different factors involved and different types of irrigation systems. These include drip systems, mobile systems (used on farms and large agricultural areas), overhead systems (most effective in nursery and greenhouses), and underground lawn irrigation systems. It is important to consult an expert when choosing what system will work best for your landscaping.
Drip systems are the most commonly used and preferred by city dwellers because they are appropriate for containers and garden beds. They are a simple, automated drip-irrigation system, which applies water slowly and directly to roots, frees you from hand-watering and helps regulate soil moisture. Plants respond by growing full and lush. And you’ll never have to drag around another hose or run back and forth with a watering can!
The overall look of you garden or “container garden” is highly personal and a variety of plants, flowers and vegetable can be grown in the city. Whether you ultimately decide to do it yourself or consult a professional create your wish list and give care and maintenance serious thought. The back deck or patio can serve multiple functions: areas for dining, relaxing, growing produce, and all using easy-care, low-water plants.
In many of our installations we have used a series of custom built planters and changes in elevation to create outdoor “rooms” and visual interest. This is sometime achieved with the warmth of a fireplace surrounded by large scale planters home to trees and shrubs or an outdoor structure like a pergola. The pergola can help provide shade for you and the vegetation you prefer. Farm fresh to table in the city equals – terrace to table.
At Middlefork, our landscape architect consultant is Stephen Prassas with Prassas Landscape Studio. Stephen has a Landscape Architecture degree from University of Illinois and started Prassas Landscape Studio in 2006. From private residences to public spaces – Stephen has worked with homeowners and architects. He has a practice dedicated to integrating sustainability and utilizes current technology and innovation. His projects with us have created unique spaces and have always integrated the homes architecture.
“Middlefork is a unique client and it is unusual for a design build firm to go above and beyond in the landscape phase – this is what makes Andy Bowyer on the cutting edge with his homes. It’s his attention to detail that increases the value of a Middlefork home and he really takes thoughtful consideration in showing clients what can be accomplished in a small area with the landscape” says Stephen.
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