Homeowners want to have the perfect yard with lots of beautiful plants and grass. However, protecting the environment has never been more important, and it can start right in your own eco-friendly yard. Incorporating an environmentally friendly design into your landscaping will not only help to save the environment, but will also provide a beautiful, inviting yard that is simple to maintain.
Going green in your yard means a lot more than the color of your lawn. Check out these eco-landscaping ideas to green your yard in healthy, sustainable, environmentally friendly ways.
Reduce Lawn Size
One of the most efficient way to reduce the amount of water you need is to reduce the size of your lawn. Plant large flower beds at the corners and edges of your lawn, maybe even in the center as a focal point.
Utilize Hardscapes
Utilize hardscapes in your landscape design such as boulders, concrete, and stepping stones. The whole family will undoubtedly use a seating area surrounded by boulders and plants! Alternatively, create a stepping stone pathway through your eco-friendly lawn to a shaded seating area.
Plant Wisely
Annual plants and flowers are beautiful – but require lots of water to maintain. Instead, plant perennials. They’re the most efficient choice when it comes to water requirements! Additionally, plant your flower beds in the fall, when temperatures are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.
Layer Your Landscape
Layering is a powerful tool to strategically use lawn space while increasing the curb appeal of your home. For example, line the edge of your property with shrubs, then layer shorter plants like native grasses in front of the shrubbery. Next, layer perennials and ground cover plants in planting beds. Not difficult, and looks great too!
Enhance Natural Slopes
Naturally occurring slopes and hills can sometimes create difficulty when landscaping. However, slopes also add dimension and are great for retaining walls and flower beds. Be sure to use native shrubs, boulders, rocks, and ground cover in steep areas.
Amend The Soil
Nourish your soil with essential nutrients to ensure that plants thrive! Plant and animal-based organic fertilizers will help to improve the texture and condition of the soil.
Mulch
Mulch such as wood chips, bark, leaves, and pine needles provides a host of benefits. Mulch regulates soil temperature and retains moisture, helping to keep plantings alive and healthy, and it also inhibits weed growth in flowerbeds, allowing for easier weeding. As it breaks down, organic mulch has the added bonus of adding nutrients to the soil. Mulching under trees to the drip line not only helps to retain moisture in the root area, but also reduces the footprint of your lawn.
Ground Cover Plants
Ground cover has many advantages over grassed lawns. Ground cover hugs the ground and requires little to no mowing, no additional watering, and no pesticides or herbicides. For shady areas, moss makes a beautiful lawn.Not only do ground plants stabilize sloping areas by preventing erosion, but they also work well as border plants. Ground plants come in a variety of colors and textures and can help reduce weed growth and cover bare spots in your garden.
Smart Irrigation
Smart irrigation systems help avoid excess water consumption. Particularly a drip-irrigation system, which delivers water directly to plants without wasting water. Be sure to water only when necessary and turn off irrigation systems during periods of precipitation.
Install Artificial Grass
Artificial grass is becoming more popular because it requires little to no water, no fertilizer, and no pesticides – all very environmentally friendly aspects! No matter how many times your kids and pets run around, the grass won’t suffer from heavy foot traffic.
There’s also no need to get a lawnmower that could release toxic fumes into the atmosphere. The EPA says emissions from lawn mowers, snow blowers, chain saws, leaf vacuums, and other outdoor power equipment are a significant source of pollution.