our approach
At junco, we hope to instill a sense of ecological connection between a person and the land, water, and beings around them. To that end, we include clients in all steps of the process, which we have sketched out below.
site visit
I can only choose within the world I can see.
Iris Murdoch, Sovereignty of Good
Expect to spend a good chunk of time, around 1-2 hours, exploring your landscape and your vision(s) with us. It is of the utmost importance to attend to and acknowledge the conditions that will support our endeavors. That acknowledgment includes that simple fact that we cannot recreate ecosystems; we may find it is best to actually leave that patch alone for a few years and see what happens. We will also discuss our expectations and your expectations to ensure we are aligned in our values and methods.
design
We use our imagination not to escape the world but to join it.
Iris Murdoch, Sovereignty of Good
Design is iterative, and it is founded upon our joint understanding of where we are, what we owe to it, and our constraints (time, budget, etc.). This understanding will take time to develop, and may change as we progress. During this stage, we are open to feedback. However, action is critical to keep energy flowing, and we hope to strike a comfortable balance between planning and doing.
install
The great way is low and plain, but people like shortcuts over the mountains.
Tao Te Ching, Ursula K. LeGuin translation
Installation is as much a product of sweat, strength, and persistence, as it is a product of soil, water, and plants. Almost all of the specimens we plant are native to the Piedmont (our ecoregion), and we strive to only use natural materials when crafting small-scale beds, paths, and trails. Before planting, a level of site preparation may be necessary – this can include removing sod, lightly leveling or grading the land, reshaping or removing existing beds, or beginning to carve out space for a small path or patio. When planting, we employ a mix of seed, plugs, and containerized plants to bring the design to your land.
maintenance
To give birth, to nourish, to bear and not to own, to act and not lay claim, to lead and not to rule: this is mysterious power.
Tao Te Ching, Ursula K. LeGuin translation
Typically overlooked and underdeveloped, maintenance is the heart of a sustainable landscape. When one invests time and energy existing in and caring for what’s around them, a kinship is born between the steward and the subjects of their care. Held in tension with the creation and deepening of this relationship is the capacity of the steward, given their existing commitments. When developing our plans, together we will determine who the steward(s) of this place will be and what each steward will be responsible for. The time after installation is also when we begin to observe the response of plants and non-human animals to our efforts. We may learn that what we have introduced requires a level of reshaping. That reshaping may take the form of different plants, different stewardship, or different expectations. Our world is constantly changing, and we aim to work in tandem with that dynamism.
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