Author wants homeowners to curb appeal for non-native plants

John Gidding had planned a tidy path to reach the goals he had set for his professional life.

He had a bachelor's degree from Yale and a master's degree from Harvard in architectural design, and he was a sought-after fashion model, showing off the best brands including Armani and Gucci.

But why be tidy? Gidding wanted to get his hands dirty.

A shift to landscape architecture in his mid-20s changed his priorities, led to a career hosting TV shows including "Curb Appeal," and eventually led him to write his new book, "At Home with Nature."

On Saturday, July 15 at the Robert Toale and Sons' Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch, the Gardeners Out East club will host Gidding in an event that is free and open to the public.

Gidding has been the host of HGTV's "Curb Appeal" and "Curb Appeal Xtreme," and also has been a frequent guest on the "Rachael Ray" show.

His book is a "guide to sustainable, natural landscaping," and he will talk at the event about ways to accomplish eco-conscious gardening in the Lakewood Ranch area. Those who plan to attend are asked to register at Eventbrite.

"I would admit I did a slow burn to get to this place (landscape architecture)," he said. "I started working in landscape architecture out of New York, working on great projects. It was much more fulfilling right off the bat."

He found he had a general distaste for the "build, build, build," philosophy associated with architecture. He said there was a pressure to "build outlandish buildings to make a name for yourself."

"So I have had my fingers in the dirt since I started in my mid-20s with (famed landscape architect) Michael Van Vakkenburgh."

He said landscape architecture allowed him to "do what was right for a particular landscape."

He worked on projects such as Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York and Allegheny Riverfront Park in Pittsburgh. His direction was set.

Above all, he said he loves the sense of community he has felt in landscape architecture.

"There is a general feeling that nature is a precious commodity and we need to protect it," he said. "Landscaping takes a lot of care. And without the proper landscape, a home can look naked."

He stressed that individual homeowners can have a great effect on the beauty of their home and the environment with proper landscaping. It is one reason he decided to write his book.

"Homeowners can influence quite a lot with just a 20-by-20-foot garden," he said. "I am just trying to convince them that every single plant should be native."

He said he loves the way homeowners are delighted when "everything comes together" on one of their landscaping projects. He also said those landscaping projects can help bring the entire community together.

But he also understands homeowners in the Lakewood Ranch area might be dealing with HOA requirements that could specify maximum heights and other restrictions that have to be kept in mind when purchasing plants.

In the end, though, he said the environment will benefit from landscaping projects.

"You can make a difference with a native plant," he said. "And it helps the wildlife that will develop with the plants."

He said homeowners should be aware of the collapse of the pollinator population and how plants can help. He said even if everyone in a neighborhood put in one plant each, it could make a huge difference.

"I see people who are excited about what they can do, and how they can help improve water quality (through their landscaping)."

Gidding was born in Istanbul, Turkey and attended American schools in Turkey and Switzerland. Besides his other accomplishments, he now can add author to the mix.

He said his book straddles the line between being a how-to book and a story book. 

He talks about municipal codes in his book and the process people must follow to change their yards. The book covers designs and planning.

"But it is not a direct how-to," he said. "And it's not directed at plant experts. At the very end, I give a native plants history. I go region by region, the five temperate zones, covering the U.S. I think it is done relatively well. I care about what I am writing about."

After his book tour, Gidding will head to Switzerland, where he will be living, at least until he lands another TV series.

"I am going to be teaching high school and I have family there," he said. "I feel that this is one of the biggest ways I can make an impact. I will teach design and entrepreneurship.'

He hopes to see more men at his events because his crowds tend to be dominated by women.

"That's my demographic. Men are there because they were dragged there," he said. "But this is an engaging topic."

What are a few common mistakes novice gardeners make?

"Grass is the biggest one," he said. "There are many different kinds of grass and some are, in fact, poisonous, like plastic on Earth. It keeps soil from growing anything useful. (The wrong kind of) grass you pick can be a big, big mistake.

"The other thing is that people plant shrubs right against the house when plants need to relate to each other. They communicate, so bring plants out into the landscape. See how everything gets healthier."

He was asked about one thing people could do in their yard to help the environment.

"Plant more trees," he said. "I say, 'The time for introducing more trees is today.' Bring in native trees because it will make a huge difference."