UPDATED 11/9/2020
Sustainable landscaping techniques are good for your home, the environment, and can even be less labor intense. If you areandnbsp;building a home, considering green landscaping ideas before that final nail is hammered in can give you an advantage when it comes to sustainable landscape maintenance.
Of course, any home whetherandnbsp;buying your first home, or you have lived in your home for years, can use sustainable landscaping techniques to improve the property. The right choices now forandnbsp;Earth friendly landscape design can pay off for years to come.
What is Sustainable Landscaping?
What is a sustainable landscape? Theandnbsp;concept behind creating sustainable landscapes is relatively simple. Sustainable landscaping works with nature, not against it. For example, one of the favored sustainable landscaping techniques is choosingandnbsp;flowers for gardeningandnbsp;that is native to your area. Flowers that are native will thrive in your particular climate with minimal care.
If you live in an arid region, trying to force flowers to grow that are from a more tropical climate will take a lot of work and a lot of water to grow. Using fertilizer and wasting water to get flowers to grow where they normally would not is not one of the more environmentally friendly landscape practices.
Sustainable landscaping techniques take into consideration your landscape’s eco-footprint. It may sound crazy that you have to consider the outside areas of your home and the effect those areas have on the environment, but you should in order to create an eco friendly yard.
Everything outside your door you may consider part of nature, butandnbsp;nonandnbsp;environmentally friendly landscape practices are actually not very natural and they do greatly impact the environment. Following some simple guidelines can help you develop some sustainable landscaping techniques that will serve your property and the environment well.
Sustainable Landscaping Techniques For Grassy Areas
A lawn is one of the most unnatural things out there. It is hard work and takes a lot of effort to keep that lawn green and void of any unwanted grasses. Weed killer, pesticides, and the constant watering of a lawn is not only hard work but it is terrible for the environment. Creating aandnbsp;sustainable front yard can be difficult as having a lawn is basically forcing an unnatural growth.
If you insist on having a lawn, cut your grass no more than 1/3rd shorter each time you mow, better yet, wait for your grass to get long enough to go to seed, then mow it. If you watch the height that you cut the grass, and let it go to seed a few times a year, your lawn will replenish itself nicely. Lawn chemicals are a big no-no for the environment, the ground water, and the humans that use both. Sustainable landscape maintenance in this case would involve leaving a shaggier lawn and cutting it more frequently.
Keep in mind that weeds are nothing more than plants growing where you do not want them to grow. If your ideal is a green lush lawn void of weeds, you may be like salmon swimming up stream.
If you are sick and tired of trying to maintain a lawn throughandnbsp;environmentally friendly landscape practices and the cost that goes along with it, try planting a meadow lawn, or using grasses that are native to your area. Of course, if you really want something that is not only sustainable but also requires just about zero care, try ground cover instead.
Sustainability is all about what naturally works in your area and what you do not have to keep managing over and over. In some areas, a sustainable front yard is simply not the best option. Learn what works in your area.
Other tips for making your lawn more sustainable include:
- Aerating your lawn to make nutrients and water easier to absorb.
- Start a compost pile and use it as fertilizer for your lawn.
- Install a sprinkler system. Using a sprinkler system can help more closely regulate your water usage.
There are ways to ensure that your eco friendly yard is more sustainable and safer for the environment. A compost pile with kitchen scraps makes for great lawn fertilizer. It can help to keep the soil healthy and nourish your lawn.
You can get your lawn used to being watered less. Most lawns need about 1 inch of water every week. Of course, in hotter climates, it may need more, but you can train your lawn to get by on less water if your soil is rich in nutrients.
Sustainable Landscaping Techniques and Your Trees
Trees are a great way to beautify your landscape. They also can be used to improve energy efficiency in your home. Hiring aandnbsp;tree serviceandnbsp;to maintain the health of your trees is a worthy investment for any homeowner. Healthy trees need less care than unhealthy trees.
Trees are an important part of creating sustainable landscapes. Native trees can add quite a beautiful aesthetic to your green landscape design and require very little attention from you. They will add value to your eco friendly yard without a lot of work.
Have You Heard of Xeriscaping?
Xeriscaping is a sustainable landscape maintenance method that requires very little water to sustain. It typically includes, hardscaping, the use of cacti and succulents and other low water needing plantings. It can be a great solution if you live in areas where there are water restrictions or if you simply are concerned about water conservation.
Xeriscaping can be a very good option for homeowners that do not want to have to worry about maintaining plants in their landscape. There is a wide range of plants that you can used in your Xeriscaping landscape that will add color and interest to your outdoor areas and require just about zero maintenance.
Making Yourandnbsp;Poolandnbsp;Eco Friendly
Sustainable landscaping techniques does not mean you can’t have a pool or a fence, it means that you should be looking for sustainableandnbsp;fencing solutionsandnbsp;and sustainable pool solutions. For example,andnbsp;swimming pool solar heating systemsandnbsp;are sustainable, eco friendly, and can cost you less.
There is a wide range of fencing solutions that can help withandnbsp;pet safety, security, child safety, and to mark boundaries that are sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing. Finding the right sustainable fencing solution is actually easier than you think. Wood fences are a great option when it comes to sustainability. They can last for years, and when they reach the end of their lifecycle they can biodegrade seamlessly into the earth.
Sustainable Landscaping Techniques for Aandnbsp;New Subdivision
One of the biggest complaints about a new subdivision is the process of clear-cutting away all of nature to make room for the houses. You can be a part of the solution by taking that clean slate and developing it into something that is beautiful and sustainable via green landscape design.
Follow these tips for creating sustainable landscapes in your new subdivision:
- Get neighbors involved. If there is any vacant land left after the subdivision goes up consider combining your efforts to secureandnbsp;vacant land or rural land loans, buy it, and turn it into a community vegetable garden. It is a great way to bring the community together, use the land for something good, and have your own organic produce on hand.
- Consider planting native fruit trees in front of your home. Fruit trees that are native to the climate are a great addition to your landscape and can be a great way to bond with neighbors. Of course, do not try to force any fruit that is not native to the region because that will negate your sustainable landscaping plan.
- If you have an HOA, make green garden ideas to the board. Attend your HOA meetings and suggest ways your neighborhood can enjoy sustainable landscaped common areas like playgrounds.
Materials Used In Sustainable Landscaping Techniques
When you are committing to sustainable landscaping techniques you do have to put a little more thought into the materials that you will use in your landscaping. Using materials that are eco friendly and not harmful to the environment is important when creating sustainable landscapes.
A good example is concrete walkways in landscaping. Concrete can create little rivers from runoff. Other materials are far better at keeping runoff at bay. For example, instead of a concrete pathway, consider using layers of pea gravel that can encourage drainage.
Rainwater Run-Off Issues
Rainwater runoff can be an issue for many homeowners. Of course, there are sustainable landscaping techniques that can help you to control rainwater off issues. The first thing that you always want to keep in mind is that anything in your yard that is hazardous can affect the watershed for your neighborhood.
Rain water runoff can carry things like pesticides, fungicides, animal waste and more from your yard into the watershed. Being a good citizen means keeping your yard clear of all animal waste, debris, and hazardous materials.
If you experience rainwater runoff problems or are having drainage problems you can try these things to correct the problem:
- Place a rain barrel under your gutters and drain pipes. Let water run into a rain barrel. You can use the gray water to water your landscaping, fill ponds, and even clean outside areas. Some communities do not allow rain barrels so check with yours before you install one.
- Think layers. In nature everything grows in layers, and everything drains in layers. Consider layers different size stones like pea gravel and larger gravel in problem areas to keep the water from running off.
- Even organic yard debris can be dangerous to the watershed. As organic matter decomposes it can release nitrogen and other chemicals. Dispose of organic waste the right way or add it to your compost pile.
Taking the right steps to keep runoff from coming out of your yard means you are doing your part to protect the environment and the precious water resources in your area.
One of the Most Common Mistakes In Landscaping
Let’s say you drove around your sister’s state and saw some pretty incredible plants. For argument sake, let’s say your sister lives on the East Coast and you live on the West Coast. One of the biggest mistakes new gardeners make is trying to force plants to grow outside of their region. Earth friendly landscape design means encouraging local growth regardless of your interest in fauna that is not naturally found in your climate.
Getting the same plants you saw on your trip and trying to grow them in your own yard, is not only unsustainable but it is also setting you up for failure. Choosing plants that are native to your area is the way to go when committing to green landscape design. In every region, there are plants that are stunning and native which is a much better combination.
When you are choosing your plants learn as much as you can to ensure that they are the perfect addition to your landscaping and that they will fit in with your maintenance style as well as the environment.
In other words, try as you might, while you may find some small successes it is impossible to force nature. Get rid of the plants that are not doing well or that require more care than you are willing to give them to make your landscaping far more sustainable.
Invasiveness
Another reason to stick with what is native is that invasive plant species (plants brought from other regions) can quickly take over a small ecosystem, drive away pollinators, and kill other native plants. Before you introduce anything into your garden you want to get familiar with the plant, like where it comes from naturally and how it fits into your landscape. Keeping a healthy ecosystem in your landscaping that will encourage native birds, insects and pollinators start with planting flowers, shrubs, and trees that are normally found in your area. You can be a big supporter of the insect world and wildlife in your area by providing the plants that they are accustomed to.
Rock Gardens
Another amazing, sustainable option is a rock garden. Not only is this a great option for those with severe allergies, but they can be done in smaller areas with minimal sunlight. Essentially, rock gardens or rockeries are gardens where the arrangement of stones and rocks plays an integral part in the design. You can add plants to your design but the rock garden can look amazing without them. Some of the best plants to use in a rock garden are succulents, as they require less water and soil than other plants. If you want to go plant free due to allergies or pets remember that rocks and stones come in many, many different colors, shapes, and sizes. Don’t be afraid to mix in boulders, pebbles, sand, crystals, and earthware. Statuettes and buddhas can also be a big part of rock gardens. You can also purchase decorative rocks or boulders to use in your garden. Overall, rock gardens can add beauty to any home while being sustainable and allergy-friendly.
One More Reason to Adopt Sustainable Landscape Techniques
Yes, you can do less work, pay less to keep your landscaping looking great and do something nice for the environment with green landscaping ideas, but that is not all. Lawn chemicals, insecticides, and other landscaping maintenance practices come with a tremendous risk to your children’s safety, your pet’s safety, and yourandnbsp;community’s safety. Making some simple changes can help to reduce a great deal of risk for all parties concerned.
These types of environmentally friendly landscape practices save money, save time, and save labor. This can be one of the easiest ways to maintain a sustainable front yard.
Sustainable landscaping techniques are easy to implement and are good for all parties involved. Sustainable landscaping techniques can reward you with the beautiful eco friendly yard your home deserves without any of the negatives that can be found with other landscaping methods.
One of the most popular healthy lawn tips is the installation of bark dust. A 100% organic landscaping option, even 1 unit of bark dust can encourage environmentally friendly landscape practices. Bark dust is shredded mulch from felled trees and other natural organic growths. The Bark dust method means professionals come to your property and spray the mulch evenly in designated areas. Traditional methods of spreading mulch were labor intensive and provided clumpy and uneven spreads. The red fir bark dust method allows for a sustainable front yard by holding in moisture evenly, preventing the need for excessive watering. In heavy drought areas like San Diego, most environmentally friendly landscape practices require minimal use of water. Furthermore, the use of the bark dust prevents weed growth. Weeds compete for moisture with the landscaping, preventing their growth means more water gets to your plants and less water needed overall.
People can have lawns that are bothandnbsp;gorgeous and environmentally friendly. They just have to choose the right backyard lawn design ideas. Some people are finding new uses for the land surrounding their homes. Creating a backyard garden area can give people the chance to plant a wide variety of different flowers, trees, and other forms of vegetation.andnbsp;
The right large backyard garden design will look very unique, but it won’t be overly complicated. Most landscapes feature at least some relatively empty space that mainly contains grass, tile, or mulch. Professional mulching services can help the people who are interested in using mulch to add to certain sections of their expansive outdoor landscapes. Many professionals might have landscaping inspiration ideas that can help the people who are interested in doing something entirely different with their yards.
Plenty of balanced landscapes have both natural and artificial features. Fences, bridges, pathways, short walls, and borders can make any landscape look much more varied and detailed. Some backyards are almost completely flat, while others will have slight hills. A landscape style that will work on a flat backyard might work elsewhere, but people can certainly work with the hills and natural features that are available.andnbsp;
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