CAPTURE THE DESERT without an irrigation system

ZEROSCAPE IS A PARKING LOT or possibly a landscape that has no plants in it, just rocks. Perhaps it is a word that people have mispronounced or just made up. I looked it up in dictionary.com and wahla…(zeroscape- no dictionary results) and by the way (Wahla has-no dictionary results also). So let’s all learn to pronounce XERISCAPE correctly (zeer-i-skey-pa) This has been a pet peeve of mine and I want our followers to be well informed. Another is landscape maintenance people that trim shrubbery into shapes such as balls, squares, cylinders and cubes when we all know they should be pruned in a natural shaped trapezoid with rounded top edges…but that’s for another discussion. Let me get back to this dry subject. I find it helpful when learning a new word or plant to say it three times zeer-i-skey-pa… zeer-i-scape … Xeriscape comes from a Greek Origin: xer(ic) a word that means dry then combined with ( land) scaping.

I love the southwestern heat and the longer I live here the more I like it. If I were a plant I would be a Xerophyte (not Zerophyte) which is a plant that has altered its physical structure to adapt to our harsh desert conditions.

When clients typically think of desert landscaping often time they will say to us “We would like a true desert landscape that requires no water.” Now we’re back to zeroscape. Our desert is known for its colorful spring wildflowers and the succulent cactus that adorn our pristine Sonoran environment, but even so it requires a degree of rain for its existence. Viewed from afar it is breathtakingly beautiful but if one were to rope off a 20 foot by 50 foot area of it and try to duplicate that in front of a home it would be unsightly, sparse and repulsive. So as designers we rebalance and redistribute on paper a variety of native plants that require minimum water beginning with the largest plants first such as Saguaro cactus, Palo Verde, Ocotillo, Yucca, Mesquite, and Ironwood. We combine barrel cactus, sagebrush, saltbrush, brittlebush, cholla, bursage, burrowweed, creosote and opuntia Trying to stay within the realm of “native” we cheat a little and combine some “naturalize” (non- Indigenous) plantings in areas that may offer some shade from a house or our taller plantings. Excluding the many naturalized varieties that would require continued irrigation such as lantana, agave, aloe, grasses, hesperaloe, elephant foot, penstremon, and this list goes on. So we stick with naturalized plant varieties and place them in a micro-climate that would allows less water. Some of those plants we would include but not be limited to would be golden barrel cactus, hedgehog, cereus, desert spoon, lady slipper, lysiloma and vitex. Sprinkle in some native wildflower seed in the right areas for added color, partially bury some indigenous boulders and contour (remember that the voids are as important as the masses) and cover all the remaining soil with earth tone mixed granite. (Stay away from the dark colors as they show debris) and WAHLA you have yourself a beautiful very low maintenance, easy to care for, ZEER-I-SKEY-PA avoiding the expense of an irrigation system. Should you have any questions or praise regarding this article please feel free to contact us at horticulturalfrontiers@cox.net.

PHOENIX LANDSCAPING & FIREPLACES & FIRE PITS by HORTICULTURAL FRONTIERS

OUTDOOR KITCHENS & BBQS BY HORTICULTURAL FRONTIERS

Abstract Horticultural Therapy Program within Retirement Communities

Many Health care facilities are trying to make successful strides in managing their facilities, creating a small intentional community for their residents and staff to interact in. A place that focuses on their life, the heart of which is found in the relationships that flourish. A radical departure from the traditional skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities of the past. A Horticultural Therapy program will focus on creating the physical and structural real life environments that will propelled your facility to “A world class leader” in your industry. There is a need to exhaust every effort to accelerate the advancement of creating the warmest, most comfortable place for all residents to live meaningful and useful interactive lives. Have your “common areas” been overlooked and are they in desperate need of a radical overhaul? Are your outside private or courtyard areas sterile, lifeless, and institutional which present a nursing home feel? We can make these areas fit into your present commitment and endeavors to activate and stimulate your residents. We offer you an opportunity to change these areas into a setting that gives your current residents and staff members a warm, home like environment where they can feel they are a contributing member of a community.

Goals and objectives · Designing and implement an intergenerational model Horticultural Therapy program using Eden Alternative Principles within your common areas, courtyards, and landscapes will create a better mutually beneficial environment to all residents and staff. Realizing this goal presents an opportunity to transform unused areas into a setting that will reflect a true home like patio experience. These areas can be designed to be private and more control oriented places for staff to interact with the residents, lessening their sense of loneliness and boredom. Places that offer beauty, warmth, friendliness, sunlight, plants, and a feeling of outdoor freedom and fresh air. A place where people have an inert sense of belonging to something greater than themselves.

Target population This program will target the bored, the complacent, and the lonely unmotivated residents that need to be brought out of their rooms and hallways into home-like areas of your facility. They can then experience the sense of living an interactive life. With a focus on socialization, fun, play and activities that meaningfully contribute to their day to day existence.

Project activities Establishing a new Horticultural Therapy Program will permit you to expand and improve your “areas” visual attractiveness while offering new and exciting resident interactive activities. This new program will create a reliable mechanism to quickly respond to the changing needs of your residents through growing activities in but not limited to gardening, walkways, exercise, ramps and bridges. Along with shaded areas for sitting, reading and reflecting, perhaps a lean to greenhouse, areas that promotes growth, health, communication and sharing, as well as privacy and retreat, putting greens, rubberized horseshoe tossing, deck shuffle boarding, butterfly gardens, flower gardens, wheelchair gardens, standing gardens and an endless supply of horticultural activities that involve both residents and staff. Volunteer and interns programs, flower arranging, planting projects, nature tours, classes, lectures and crafts, In house garden clubs and events. .

PLAN FOR MEASURING PROJECT RESULTS Progress can easily be measured by an immediate renewed resident participation not only by the increased usage but also attendance in the classes and activities the program offers. There will be a clear and defined improvement in the ascetics’ of your facilities and in the general attitudes and well being of your residents and staff. You will witness and experience a significant direct sense of quality of life in our community measured by the smiles on the faces, the light in the eyes and the tones in the voices of your residents and staff as they take pride in being part of a progressive national model for retirement living. STAFFING After the initial physical design review and development process in most cases, a Horticultural Therapist can be absorbed by current program funding. The “right person” is the key to generating, motivating and maintaining the program. As stated by the American Horticultural Therapy Association’s website http://www.ahta.org “Horticultural therapists are specially educated and trained members of rehabilitation teams (with doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists and other) who involve the client in all phases of gardening - from propagation to selling products - as a means of bringing about improvement in their life. The demand for trained horticultural therapists has prompted universities, colleges, and other organizations to offer degree and certificate programs in the field.” Often times an Occupational, Activity or Recreational Therapist with a strong background or interest in gardening can facilitate a Horticultural Therapy Program.

Conclusion

Horticultural Frontiers can design a custom program that will address your present areas that are physically old and requiring repair, high maintenance, and expense. These areas offer little in the way of beauty, pleasantness, and in home personal contentment. This nationally proven media of Horticultural Therapy when added will be the first of its kind. This will offer a new and exciting avenue to provide state of the art programming for your residents. It is sensory stimulating as well as visually pleasing for not only the staff and residents, but for visitors and new prospective customers and donors. It’s green and healthy, active and affordable, and most importantly its fun and offers intrigue, excitement and expectations. It causes anticipation, It buds, begins to grow, blooms and even dies. Life lessons every day. It is active. It is alive. It is something to look forward to at the beginning of the day as well as something to reflect on at the end of the day. it is ever changing and improving. It is an art, a science, a living thing of beauty and positive in its nature. Here-in lies its treasures and rewards. It is in itself therapeutic and contagious. It’s new, and it’s fresh and will prove to be the initial key to your future reputation and success.

Abstract Horticultural Therapy Program within Retirement Communities

Many Health care facilities are trying to make successful strides in managing their facilities, creating a small intentional community for their residents and staff to interact in. A place that focuses on their life, the heart of which is found in the relationships that flourishes there. A radical departure from the traditional skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities of the past. A Horticultural Therapy program will focus on creating the physical and structural real life environments that will propelled your facility to “A world class leader” in your industry. There is a need to exhaust every effort to accelerate the advancement of creating the warmest, most comfortable place for all residents to live meaningful and useful interactive lives. Have your “common areas” been overlooked and are they in desperate need of a radical overhaul? Are your outside private or courtyard areas sterile, lifeless ,institutional and present a nursing home feel? We can make these areas fit into your present commitment and endeavors to activate and stimulate your residents. We offer you an opportunity to change these areas into a setting that gives your current residents and staff members a warm, home like environment where they can feel they are a contributing member of a community. Goals and objectives · The main objective is to design and implement an inter-generational model Horticultural Therapy programs using Eden Alternative Principles within your common areas, courtyards, and landscapes to create a better mutually beneficial environment to all residents and staff. Realizing this goal will present an opportunity to transform these areas into a setting that will reflect a true home like patio experience. These areas can be designed to be more private and more control oriented places for staff to interact with the residents, lessening their sense of loneliness and boredom. Places that offer beauty, warmth, friendliness, sunlight, plants, and a feeling of outdoor freedom and fresh air. A place where people have an inert sense of belonging to something greater than themselves. Target population This program will target the bored, the complacent, and the lonely unmotivated residents that need to be brought out of their rooms and hallways into home-like areas of your facility where they can experience the sense of living an interactive life. With a focus on socialization, fun, play and activities that meaningfully contribute to their day to day existence. Project activities Establishing a new Horticultural Therapy Program will permit you to expand and improve your “areas” visual attractiveness while offering new and exciting resident interactive activities. This new program will create a reliable mechanism to quickly respond to the changing needs of your residents through growing activities in but not limited to gardening, walkways, exercise, ramps and bridges. Along with shaded areas for sitting, reading and reflecting. Perhaps a lean to greenhouse, areas that promotes growth, health, communication and sharing, as well as privacy and retreat. Putting greens, rubberized horseshoe tossing, deck shuffle boarding, butterfly gardens, flower gardens, wheelchair gardens, standing gardens and an endless supply of horticultural activities that involve both residents and staff. Volunteer and interns programs. Flower arranging, planting projects, nature tours, classes, lectures and crafts, In house garden clubs and events. . PLAN FOR MEASURING PROJECT RESULTS Progress can easily be measured by an immediate renewed resident participation not only by the increased usage but also attendance in the classes and activities the program offers. There will be a clear and defined improvement in the ascetics’ of your facilities and in the general attitudes and well being of your residents and staff. You will witness and experience a significant direct sense of quality of life in our community measured by the smiles on the faces, the light in the eyes and the tones in the voices of your residents and staff as they take pride in being part of a progressive national model for retirement living. STAFFING After the initial physical design review and development process In most cases, A Horticultural Therapist can be absorbed by current program funding. The “right person” is the key to generating, motivating and maintaining the program. As stated by the American Horticultural Therapy Association’s website http://www.ahta.org “Horticultural therapists are specially educated and trained members of rehabilitation teams (with doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists and other) who involve the client in all phases of gardening - from propagation to selling products - as a means of bringing about improvement in their life. The demand for trained horticultural therapists has prompted universities, colleges, and other organizations to offer degree and certificate programs in the field.” Often times an Occupational, Activity or Recreational Therapist with a strong background or interest in gardening can facilitate a Horticultural Therapy Program.

Conclusion

Horticultural Frontiers can design a custom program that will address your present areas that are physically old and requiring repair, high maintenance, and expensive. These areas offer little in the way of beauty, pleasantness, and in home personal contentment. This nationally proven media of Horticultural Therapy when added will be the first of its kind. This will offer a new and exciting avenue to provide state of the art programming for your residents. It is sensory stimulating as well as visually pleasing for not only for the staff and residents, but for our visitors and our new prospective customers and donors. It’s green and healthy, active and affordable, and most importantly its fun and offers intrigue, excitement and expectations. It causes anticipation, It buds, begins to grow, blooms and even dies. Life lessons every day. It is active. It is alive. It is something to look forward to at the beginning of the day as well as something to reflect on at the end of the day. It is ever changing and improving. It is an art, a science, a living thing of beauty and positive in its nature. Here-in lies its treasures and rewards. It is in itself therapeutic and contagious. It’s new, and it’s fresh and will prove to be the initial key to your future reputation and success.

T. Kent Titze, B. A., H.T.M., Master Horticultural Therapist

• Activity Therapist/Horticulture, Richard Young Memorial Hospital, Omaha NE

• Head Gardener - Boy's Town, 1976
• Established a Horticultural training program for Father Flanagan's Home for Boys and Girls, Boy's Town, Nebraska.
• Director of the BoysTown Horticultural Training Center
• Landscape Designer for Mulhull Nursery, Omaha, Nebraska
• First Place Co-Designer - Omaha Flower, Garden & Outdoor Living Show
• Director of Education - Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix, Arizona
• Supervisor of the Landscape Design & Installation, for Garden Grove Nursery and A-Arid Landscaping, Phoenix, AZ
• President, Horticultural Frontiers, a Phoenix based design/built custom design and landscape firm.

• Designed and hosted the First Annual Landscape Competition in Arizona
• First Place 2008 Scottsdale Home and Garden Expo’s Landscape Competition
• Recently and have for more than a decade been recognized, as being ranked one of the Top Ten Residential Landscape Design and Installation Companies in the category of Landscape Contractors in "Ranking Arizona - The Best of Arizona Businesses" -
  Phoenix Business Magazine

Education

• Bellevue University, Bachelor of Arts, Degree - English, Geography, Communicative Arts - Bellevue, Nebraska
• Associate Degree Program 'Ornamental Horticulture'
  Metropolitan Community College.
• Masters Registration - Horticultural Therapist,
  American Horticultural Therapy Association

Continuing Education

• Purdue University - West Lafayette, Indiana
• University of Missouri - Columbia, Missouri
• Illinois State University - Normal, Illinois
• Michigan State University - East Lansing, Michigan
• Nightscape Lighting College - Redlands, California
• American Horticultural Therapy Association Horticultural Therapy Workshop - Rio
• Grande Botanical Gardens, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Significant Contributions to Horticultural Therapy

Horticultural Therapist within the Activity Therapy Department, Richard Young Acute Short-Term Psychiatric Annex of the Lutheran Medical Center. Designed and developed a bicycling program for "Special Release" patients. Named the program "Cycle-Therapy". - 1974-1976 Member of The National Council for Therapy and Rehabilitation through Horticulture (NCTRH) - 1975 Proposed and initiated a horticultural training program to Father Flannigan's Boy's Home, Boy's Town, Nebraska. - 1976-1984 Served on the State Chapter's Committee of N.C.T.R.H. Initiated the development of the Great Plains Regional Chapter of N.C.T.R.H. Received Certificate of Registration as a Master Horticultural Therapist. - October 1979 Vice-President N.C.T.R.H. Received National Award for "Most Outstanding Paper Presented in the Area of Program Development". Hosted Regional Chapter N.C.T.R.H. Conference President - Great Plains Regional Chapter of the N.C.T.R.H. Initiated a horticultural Explorer Post, where Boy's Town youth did community service projects for those less fortunate. This Explorer Post was nominated and chosen for the Jefferson's Award for Community Service and the Good Neighbor Citation from the Knights of Aksarben. 175 hours of consultation for the Lutheran Medical Center in the field of Program, Conservatory and Landscape Design President - National Council for Therapy and Rehabilitation through Horticulture (N.C.T.R.H.) now known as the American Horticultural Therapy Association (A.H.T.A.) Received a personal invitation and met in the Oval Office with President Ronald Reagan as he extended his thanks for joining into his incentive program to hire the developmentally disabled. Received an award from Margaret M. Heckler, Secretary, U.S. Department of health and Human Services, recognized for outstanding commitment to the employment of persons with developmental disabilities. Designed and developed the Division Director structure of N.C.T.R.H. Board of Directors of N.C.T.R.H. Presentations to Arca XIII of Ceta on Communication and Job Retention Presentations to Arca XIII of Ceta on Careers in Horticulture Designed Wheelchair Gardens for Haven House, a 180 bed geriatric facility in Omaha, Nebraska N.C.T.R.H. recognized "Outstanding Paper in Program Development" Established an intern site for Father Flanagan's Home for Boys, Boy's Town, Nebraska, with Kansas State University's Horticultural Therapy Program. NCTRH Hosted the 8th Annual Conference for the NCTRH, and published it's proceedings. Speaker for NCTRH Annual Conference Authored and published the Employment Training Program - "An Employment Training Adjunct to the Family Teaching Model" Authored and published "The Boy's Town Horticultural Handbook Designed and constructed, with the youths, a 42' x 70', partially subterranean, framed greenhouse. Expanded the Training Program to include; An accredited AARS rose garden, community garden plots, 2 orchards, Florist Shop, Landscaping, Interior Plantscaping, 35,000 square feet of annual flower beds, working Nursery, and classroom training. Designed and developed a competency training system, consisting of three training areas with 100 competencies each. Petitioned, then Mayor Terry Goddard, to introduce horticultural therapy to the Phoenix Metropolitan area. His recommendation was to work with the Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens. Lectured to representatives from all the Rehabilitation Facilities in the State of Hawaii on the benefits of Horticultural Therapy. - Maui Rehabilitation Center Launched Project S.E.E.D. (Service and Education through Environmental Development), a program that rescued cactus from real estate developers and reintroduced them back into the Phoenix Mountain Preserve using first-time offenders, the Easter Seal Society and the elderly. Designed a system that trained docents and identified desert plants to the visitors of the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden. Assisted in an Eagle Scout Project that designed a courtyard/Patio for a Maggie’s Place a community that provides houses of hospitality for expectant women /mothers that are alone and or living on the streets. http://www.maggiesplace.org/ Designed and am currently consulting a Horticultural Therapy program and landscape plan for Desert Sky Health & Rehabilitation Center a licensed, 270-bed skilled nursing and assisted living facility located in Glendale, AZ. http://www.desertskyliving.com Currently involved in designing a landscapes for an elderly couple in Scottsdale and a personal Alzheimer's garden for a lady in Chandler AZ.