In 2016, One Nature created a design for this woodland property nestled in the Catskills. The overarching concepts included stormwater runoff management from the steep driveway and surrounding slopes, connection between the front and back yards, native plant installation, maximizing usable space, and establishing a meadow. Construction began with replacing the main staircase down to the house and reinforcing a stone dust terrace with boulders at the entrance of the stairs. This would allow for a smooth transition from the driveway to the steps. The surrounding slope was populated with large boulders and riprap, along with dug swales in key locations, to slow the flow of future runoff around the house. Swales were also dug along the driveway for the same reason.
Further, a bluestone path set in pea gravel was installed to connect the staircase to the back patio. The entire area next to the path is a septic field, so it was seeded with native meadow species that would provide a lovely pollinator habitat and manage runoff issues. Native shrubs, including red-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea), were planted at the edge of the property where the back yard drops off into the mountains. This would help both with strengthening the edge of that slope and providing native habitat. Perhaps the pinnacle of the design, a large bluestone terrace/patio was built in the back corner of the property. Now housing a hot tub, its purpose was to provide the homeowners with a private space to enjoy the beautiful mountain view.
As part of our stewardship duties, we cut down the meadow each year to encourage growth and weed out any invasives that may have found their way in, like mugwort. It is important to regularly manage weeds so that native plantings are able to establish a healthy growing environment. We also remove any detritus from the swales along the driveway during the fall so that future winter/spring runoff is able to flow freely.
