Book Review: Energy-Wise Landscape Design
The THB Farm blog has been sadly neglected in recent months due to deadlines and commitments, but I'm back , this time to post a review of Massachusetts landscape architect Sue Reed's excellent new book "Energy-wise Landscape Design: A New Approach for your Home and Garden". This book is a must-read for anybody looking to build or renovate a home, especially in the temperate climate of New England, where the siting, positioning and surrounding landscaping of a home can directly influence the energy efficiency and environmental footprint of your property.Sue's book is timely for many reasons. As our utility bills go through the roof and natural resources continue to suffer enormous pressure from development, industry, the spread of invasive, non-native plant species, as well as warming average temperatures, homeowners have every incentive to reduce their energy usage and landscape their properties in a way that contributes to environmental health rather than degrading it further.
The book is structured into useful sections such as "Arranging the Landscape to Help Cool a House in Summer", "Situating New Homes with Energy in Mind" and "Fitting the Landscape to the Land", which shares excellent tips for landscaping on slopes. Even if you're in the midst of a current landscaping or construction project, the section "Revise your Ideas to Fit the Terrain" is worth reading before you do any more work! In New England, where every property seems to be situated on some kind of hill, Sue's book will help you understand how to work with the challenges of your landscape and turn them into design features that enhance your property's beauty and usefulness.
Topographically challenged? Sue Reed has lots of good advice for landscaping on slopes.
Landscaping sections include designing gardens to reduce water usage, how to have a green, healthy lawn without using toxic chemicals, and information on how to properly plant trees and shrubs. Considering that most plant deaths that happen in the first few years occur because of improper planting (by homeowners as well as poorly trained landscapers!), this is advice that will save you money!
Construction and installation-related topics include building wood structures for long life, installing efficient outdoor lighting, how to lay durable patios, paths and stone walls, and ways you can generate your own energy from your property using sunlight, wind, water and geothermal heat. Clear diagrams and pictures illustrate complex concepts such as how to read and understand the effects of sunlight on your property based on your geographic location, altitude and time of year.
Although Energy-Wise Landscape Design is a practical, comprehensive guide that could be used as a textbook for a sustainable design curriculum, Sue's writing style is friendly and the book is a surprisingly good read, considering the technical nature of its subject. It's no surprise that Sue taught for many years at the renowned Conway School of Landscape Design, her writing reflects her ability to explain complicated concepts in a way that students can understand. I read half this book in one sitting, but I know I'll be returning to it time and time again as a technical reference on future projects. My only disappointment was that the beautiful photos of ecologically-friendly landscapes were not in full color, but I'm sure this kept the book's price at an affordable price.
Energy-Wise Landscape Design belongs on the bookshelf of everyone who dabbles (or works!) in construction, gardening and landscape design. Even if the only greenery in your yard is a lawn, you will learn from this book, and in the process, save money, time and protect our precious natural resources.
You can buy the book through Amazon.com, or visit Sue Reed's website at EnergyWiseLandscape.com to learn more and order the book.
Posted by Ellen Sousa at 12/3/2010 12:31 PM 
Categories: New England, Ecological Landscaping, New England gardens, Massachusetts
Tags: Sue Reed Energywise Landscape Design Berkshires Conway School of Landscape Design
Categories: New England, Ecological Landscaping, New England gardens, Massachusetts
Tags: Sue Reed Energywise Landscape Design Berkshires Conway School of Landscape Design
Hey Ellen, thanks so much for your great review of my book -- you really captured all the important points I hoped to make!
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You're very welcome, Sue! I am sure it will be a best-seller, it is such a useful manual, full of good info for DIY homeowners and fledgling landscapers that want to learn how to landscape sustainably, but find all the new information out there overwhelming! Good luck with all your upcoming talks!
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This book sounds like a great resource. Although I love my new house, built by a big national builder, it is incredibly inappropriate for this climate and sited arbitrarily on its lot... it's a design and construction for Florida, where this builder made its reputation. What were we thinking? Wish we'd read this book then!
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Ellen - I just visited Sue and interviewed her for my column. One of the points she made as we talked is that good design saves human energy too. Work doesn't have to be redone, smaller lawns don't need as much mowing etc. The book is a resource as we look for good instructions on tweaking our landscape long after builders have gone - in my case that would be nearly 100 years ago. And yes, my house is built on a slope and we are considering a windbreak.
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I got so excited thinking about Sue that I forgot to mention that I am having a Blogoversary Giveaway - Recipes from the Root Cellar. I hope you'll help me celebrate.
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It surely looks like a wonderful resource for people in that area, and you had a very good review. How i wish there is something like that in this country. However, maybe this type might not make money here though. i also love your previous few posts before this.
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@Pat - congrats on your 3rd bloggiversary (did I spell that right?!) I didn't know about your "Between the Rows" column...your readers are lucky to have you!!
@Laurrie - I know what you mean, I would have loved this book when I first gardened seriously in my 20s...most conventional garden books talked about a very different way to "garden"..
@Andrea, I'm not sure which country you are from, but maybe you should write the book yourself! Earth-friendly landscaping involves learning about the plants that do best in your climate, plants that will not require watering, fertilizing or constant pruning with power tools to keep them the right size. If you learn about your local gardening conditions and the plants that are native to your local soils and plant communities, you could become a local expert and teach others about it...
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I got this book right after it came out. It is really well written and accessable to both the homeowner and the professional. While the examples are focused on New England (where I am) Sue does make a point of that, and addresses concerns of other climates, as well.
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Ellen, Thanks for this review. This book sounds as though it would be very helpful for me, and I'm adding it to my wishlist. Happy Holidays!
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I loved this book! I interviewed Sue for a podcast at my site and I learned so much from her. Great review, Ellen!
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