Every rainstorm once sent hundreds of gallons of polluted runoff from this Edgewater corner lot straight into the South River. Today, that same corner filters stormwater while producing figs, blueberries, and habitat for zebra swallowtails. This is the power of thoughtful design meeting environmental stewardship.
From Problem to Opportunity
At ‘Loch Haven River View’ in Edgewater, MD, HD Squared had already completed a multipurpose addition for the family, creating a space where they’ve pursued their passions and worked from home for several years. With the architecture addressed, the next challenge was the landscape—transforming a problematic drainage corner into an environmental asset.
The home, with its stunning views of the South River across from Quiet Waters Park, sits at a crucial intersection where two streets converge before sending stormwater directly into the beautiful South River, near the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. Where once stood compacted turf grass that shed water like concrete, the homeowners saw a powerful opportunity to make a difference.
The Problem-Solving Partnership: Edible BayScaping
BayScaping—the practice of creating landscapes that protect the Chesapeake Bay through native plants and smart stormwater management—became the guiding principle for this transformation. Recognizing their corner as a perfect leverage point for positive change, the homeowners collaborated with an Anne Arundel County Watershed Steward to embark on a monumental project: creating an Edible BayScape that would both clean water and feed the family.
This transformation involved more than just planting a few flowers; it was a total overhaul incorporating green infrastructure like rain gardens and bioswales—landscape features designed to capture and filter stormwater naturally.
The Genius of Green Infrastructure
To intercept the massive flow of street runoff, the homeowners took a bold step: they cut the curb. This seemingly simple action intentionally diverts stormwater off the hard, impervious street surface and into their newly designed landscape.
Here’s how their yard now works as a natural filter:
Bioswale Function: The water is immediately channeled into a carefully graded depression—a bioswale—that slows its speed and allows it to spread out across the landscape rather than rushing straight to the storm drain.
Natural Filtration: The water filters through native, deep-rooted plants and specially amended soil, removing pollutants, oils, and sediment before they can reach the river.
Check Dams & Infiltration: Small check dams installed at strategic locations act as low barriers that hold water for longer periods, forcing it to percolate slowly and completely into the ground rather than running off.
This three-year effort is now paying remarkable dividends for both the environment and the family.
Harvest & Habitat: A Feast for Fauna and Family
The edible bayscape at ‘Loch Haven River View’ demonstrates that environmental stewardship can be both beautiful and bountiful:
Environmental Impact: Every storm event now sees significantly reduced pollution entering the South River, with the landscape acting as a living filter for the neighborhood’s runoff.
Food Production: The family harvests an abundance of fresh, organic produce throughout the growing season—ripe figs, juicy blueberries, tomatoes, peppers, horseradish, mushrooms, and a wide array of aromatic herbs including fennel, dill, Thai basil, and rosemary. Young pawpaw trees, nearing maturity, will soon provide this incredible native fruit.
Wildlife Haven: The owners have documented multiple species of native bees and a variety of butterflies, including the stunning Zebra Swallowtail, which relies on the yard’s pawpaw trees as its host plant. The diverse plantings provide year-round habitat and food sources for pollinators crucial to our ecosystem.
Community Connection: A thoughtfully preserved 12-foot diameter circle of grass serves as the starting point for the community’s annual Fourth of July Parade. The homeowners set up a beverage tent here, welcoming neighbors into their vibrant landscape—a perfect opportunity to share their harvest, discuss the importance of protecting the Bay, and demonstrate how a beautiful, productive yard can be a powerful force for good.
Your Yard as Part of the Solution
‘Loch Haven River View’ is living proof that solving the Bay’s problems can be local, beautiful, and delicious. This success story isn’t just about one yard; it’s a blueprint for every property owner in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The intentional integration of BayScaping, edible gardening, and innovative stormwater management represents the future of restorative, thriving landscape design.
You don’t have to be a master gardener to make a difference—you just need a thoughtful and intentional plan that considers both your family’s needs and the health of our watershed.
Design That Works with Nature
At HD Squared Architects, we don’t just design buildings—we design whole properties that work in harmony with the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Whether you’re planning a new home, an addition, or a landscape transformation, we integrate architecture with sustainable site strategies from day one. We believe that thoughtful architecture and site design can be the first line of defense for the Bay, offering you a beautiful, productive, and responsible home.
Your project can be both beautiful and bay-friendly. We specialize in ensuring your design works seamlessly with the land, incorporating high-impact environmental strategies like rain gardens and bioswales directly into your overall project.
Ready to turn your drainage problem into a pollutant-filtering, food-producing sanctuary? Book a discovery call to learn how we can help you develop a design that benefits your family, your community, and the magnificent Chesapeake Bay.
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