Dr. Ludwig's Wisdom at the Summer Harvest Potluck

What’s the secret ingredient to a perfect potluck? It’s a mix of tasty treats and creative minds coming together for an evening of inspiration. Gabrielle Dermer here, landscape designer at ServeScape and a recent UGA Landscape Architecture graduate. On Tuesday, September 27th, Bernie Kida and I threw a Summer Vegetable Potluck, and it was an incredible event! We brought together designers to share stories, tackle current challenges, and just soak in the summer vibes. But what really made this potluck unforgettable wasn’t just the amazing food—though Mandy’s lavender cookies were fantastic—it was the chance to hear from our incredible guest speaker, Dr. Richard Ludwig.

Dr. Ludwig’s talk, “3 Tips to Help Turn Your Designs into Cash,” was both eye-opening and incredibly practical. His first piece of advice, “Meet Potential Clients Where They Are,” was all about understanding what your clients are truly interested in. Dr. Ludwig suggested a super useful method: have clients rate various sustainable features from 1 to 5, with 5 being super interested and 1 being not interested at all. This way, you get a clear picture of what they care about. For example, you might ask them to rate things like creating a compost pile, installing rain gardens, or choosing native plants. This feedback helps tailor your design to match their interests and needs.

Next up, Dr. Ludwig talked about “Knowing What You Do and Doing What You Know.” This tip focuses on using your expertise to create sustainable and beautiful landscapes. He emphasized that sustainable landscaping isn’t just about looking good; it’s about being smart with resources. This includes using compost, practicing integrated pest management (IPM), and choosing the right plants for the right spots. It's all about designing spaces that are efficient, low-maintenance, and kind to the environment. Knowing these practices inside out means you can deliver top-notch designs that are both eco-friendly and visually stunning.

Dr. Ludwig’s third tip was “Make Sure It’s Beautiful.” He delved into why beauty matters in design and how it affects us on a deeper level. A beautiful landscape isn’t just nice to look at; it can uplift our spirits and reconnect us with nature. Dr. Ludwig explained that while beauty might seem subjective, there are common elements like form, texture, and color that can be used to create universally appealing designs. He compared it to writing poetry—it's not just about the words, but how they’re arranged to create something meaningful. Similarly, in landscape design, it’s not just about the plants you use, but how you arrange them to evoke a powerful, emotional response.

In addition to his practical advice, Dr. Ludwig also recommended that all designers read two influential books:  Planting In A Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West and Bold Romantic Gardens by Wolfgang Oehme and James Van Sweden. These books offer valuable insights and inspiration for creating impactful designs.

Dr. Ludwig’s stories and insights were incredibly inspiring. One story that left a lasting impression was his starfish story. During a large storm, starfish were washed up on the beach as far as the eye could see. A little girl walked along the shore, picking up one starfish at a time and tossing them back into the ocean. An older man approached her and asked, “Why are you doing this? You won’t be able to make a difference. There are too many starfish.” The little girl picked up another starfish, looked at him, and said, “I will for this one,” as she threw it back into the sea.

Reconnecting with Dr. Ludwig was a highlight for me, especially since I’ve been learning from him through his Sustainable Landscape Design Workshops with the Urban Agricultural Council (UAC). His blend of practical advice and deep philosophical insights makes him not just a great teacher, but also a truly inspiring figure. If you missed this event, join our designer marketplace to stay in the loop and be part of our growing cooperative (free and no obligation). We’ve created a space for designers to discuss plants, design, and the latest trends. All are welcome to attend and connect with other designers and the ServeScape team. The ServeScape Designer Roundtable occurs on Wednesdays at 3 pm (in-person or virtually) at the ServeScape Design Studio, 5388 Peachtree Road, Chamblee, Georgia 30341—you won’t want to miss out on these free and engaging events!