When you add new landscaping to your yard, you may think that you’re doing Mother Nature a favor by adding some more green to the planet. However, not all landscaping is equal when it comes to sustainability and eco-friendliness. Some plants are better than others when it comes to keeping your yard environmentally friendly, and the experts at Hometown Landscape are here to explain.
What is Sustainable Landscaping?
With concern about the environment growing, the term “sustainable” seems to be used quite a bit. But what is it, and how does it apply to the landscaping in your yard? Here’s an overview.
- The term sustainable landscaping partially refers to plants, shrubs, and trees that positively contribute to the environment around them. It also encompasses techniques that help to minimize climate change and environmental damage.
- This type of landscaping offers many benefits to the surrounding environment, including reducing waste and preventing water, air, and soil pollution.
- Sustainable landscaping is also more affordable and easier to maintain. It’s typically long-lasting and doesn’t require much water, fertilizer, or pesticide application.
Eco-friendly landscaping especially helps contribute to sustainability as a whole. It helps with water conservation and energy consumption as it’s low maintenance. It also assists in carbon sequestration, the process by which carbon is removed from the atmosphere to help reduce the impacts of climate change.
So how can you do your part and integrate eco-friendly landscaping into your yard?
What Kinds of Plants and Techniques Can You Use for Sustainable Landscaping?
How can you incorporate eco-friendly landscaping into your green space? Here are some tips from the experts at Hometown Landscape.
Tip #1: Use native plants. Locally grown plants that are native to the environment will grow and thrive more effectively in your yard. They’re also better for the environment because they won’t need fertilizers to survive, don’t require much supplemental watering, and are typically used to the soil and weather conditions in your area (which makes them low maintenance). Further, locally grown plants help to preserve biodiversity in their environment.
Tip #2: Use eco-friendly landscape elements. Consider using landscape elements that are more eco-friendly for your hardscapes, like gravel, rocks, or mulch. These materials act as a natural filter for the water, ensuring that it’s cleaner when it heads to storm drains.
Tip #3: Build a rain garden. This type of landscaping technique uses rainwater to irrigate plants, placing plants strategically to ensure that they get the water they need as it flows through the area. This leads to water conservation and also ensures that cleaner water is being sent back to local lakes and rivers (this type of garden acts as a sort of filter).
Tip #4: Invest in a rain barrel. Rain gardens are great for natural irrigation, but they’re not always possible depending on the layout of your green space. A rain barrel is a container used to catch rainwater for watering your plants and helps promote water conservation efforts.
Tip #5: Plan your garden carefully. Not only should you use native plants, but you can also consider xeriscaping. This type of gardening utilizes plants that do well in hot, drought-prone environments. They require very little maintenance and use less water. Plus, you can use rocks or gravel in place of mulch to cut costs and maintenance. Further, consider the layout of your garden – put plants that need more water close together to cut down on water waste.
Get More Eco-Friendly Landscaping Tips Today
Embracing eco-friendly landscaping practices not only contributes to the well-being of our planet but also enriches our living spaces with sustainable beauty. If you’re looking to embark on a journey towards more environmentally conscious landscaping, reaching out to our expert team at Hometown Landscape can be a great first step. Their team of professionals is ready to provide you with personalized consultations, ensuring that your garden not only thrives but does so in harmony with nature. Take this opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment and enhance your outdoor area by exploring the myriad of eco-friendly landscaping tips available today.