Organic Landscape Design - Project Site Tour

The guest presenter for this project site tour was Priscilla Williams, owner of Pumpkin Brook Organic Gardening. We looked at one of her recent design projects installed at a residence in Pepperell, MA.

Project Description: A log house in the woods of Pepperell, accessed by a private dirt road and with plenty of wildlife around, is our destination. The garage was completed in spring 2004 which required removal of 2200 square feet of woodland. This structure was surrounded by sand which was rapidly eroding downhill when I first visited the site in May 2004.

Pumpkin Brook Organic Gardening stabilized the soil with compost/loam mix and a cover crop; then we designed and installed a cutting garden in 2004. Stonework was completed in the late fall by Whole Earth Landscape and Design.

This past spring and summer, we added a bank stabilization planting, foundation planting and transitional planting to a woodland remnant at the street. Meanwhile the porch on the house was completely rebuilt and composite recycled wood decking connecting porch to stone terrace was completed. During this construction we kept working on site to recreate layers of woodland understory, taking cues from native plants existing on site and within a one mile radius. A low mow lawn mix has just been installed in late summer as a connection between areas of the property. Plans for 2006 include a raised bed of ferns at the garage and installation of climbing hydrangea to carpet the bank opposite the garage at the side of the driveway. Throughout the project, organic methods and materials have been used, per the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care. This was a priority for the client.

Priscilla Hutt Williams is a founding member of the NOFA Organic Land Care Committee which developed standards for organic land care and the course which trains and accredits landscape professionals. She has a successful organic garden design/maintenance business, as well as a seedling sales business.