It’s hard to imagine a time before tidy green lawns. But, the aesthetic of short, well-kept grass can be traced back to France in the 1700s. Back then, the sheer amount of manual labor required for upkeep meant that only the rich could afford it.
Have you ever wondered where rainwater goes once it hits the ground? During the water cycle, stormwater is absorbed into the soil and filters into (and replenishes) streams and rivers, completing the cycle. Healthy watersheds play a critical role in...
Smart landscaping is more than just which shrubs you choose or how many trees you plant. It’s not a quick decision or a budget move. It also requires you to consider the how: How do you create a smart landscape? Who’s doing the work? How are they...
As humans, we prefer what we know. Psychology calls this the familiarity effect. It applies to places, shapes, people, even sounds. Whether we realize it or not, the familiarity effect impacts how we make decisions. We are faster to recognize and...
If you’ve ever driven out of the city on a summer day, you’ve probably noticed that the temperature drops as you leave, especially at night. Urban areas with lots of buildings, concrete, and pavement experience a phenomenon called the heat island...
Think about the last errand you ran. Maybe you went to the grocery, or a dentist appointment, or dropped your kid off at school. Imagine the trip there: You start in your driveway in the suburbs, turn onto a four-lane road separated by a grassy...
