5 Ways to Turn Your Lawn into an Eco-Friendly Landscape

By Land8: Landscape Architects Network on October 7, 2016 1 Comment / 5335 views

We review 5 ways you can get that lawn of yours and turn it into an eco-friendly landscape that is sure to inspire others to do the same. A green yard gives more than just a green look. It adds health and sustainability to your landscape in an environment-friendly way. Green landscaping also referred as eco-landscaping, is a way to create, design and maintain your landscape to save money, time and energy. It reduces air pollution, nurtures wildlife, water, and soil to make healthy recreational spaces. One notable component of it is the use of renewable energy sources like solar for landscape lights. Below are 5 ways to turn your lawn into an eco-friendly landscape:

Eco-Friendly Landscape

Plants and Hardscapes For a Green Landscape

Plants are a central part of a green landscape. Consider native plants for cultivation, as they will be well-suited to your region’s environment. Make sure you stay close to home when making your selection. Just because a plant is native to the United States doesn’t mean it would be good for your landscape. You can also use the assistance of local experts to avoid any aggressive or invasive natives. Avoid plants that spread to wild areas and choke other plants, like Purple loosestrife. Hardscaping can also be green. Permeable pavers are an environment-friendly way for concrete driveways, as they help the water to absorb into the ground instead of getting wasted in lakes, rivers, storm sewers and the other water bodies.

Use Recyclable and Reusable Material

Use recyclable material (bricks, glass, stones and concrete pieces) to create new materials for landscaping. You can also select recycled plastics or sustainable materials to build a deck and fence. This not only helps save money, but also reduces the waste.

Water Carefully

Do not water your lawn in the heat of summer. Grass has a natural tendency to go dormant. Water it at careful intervals. Use organic mulch around the trees and garden beds to prevent weeds and maintain soil moisture. Apply drought-tolerant landscaping tips for dry regions, where the water supply is scarce. You can still use right plants and designs for a beautiful display without using any supplemental water. An easy way to collect water is to store rainwater in rain barrels. Use it naturally for your garden’s needs.

Landscape to Save Energy

Strategic placement of trees in your home helps to save energy. Moreover, channeling a summer breeze to your home reduces your energy bills. Research your region on the US Department of Energy landscape map to discover energy-conservation tips for improving the aesthetic appearance.

Reduce or Avoid Chemicals

Try to avoid chemical pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides. These chemicals will increase the effects of water and air on the plants. Use only organic materials such as animal dung and blood to enrich soil nutrients. This approach will have a magical effect on the soil’s health, thus improves the quality of your entire garden. Apply small amount of nitrogen-based fertilizer if need be during Fall and Spring seasons. This increases the growth of grass positively. Eco-Friendly Landscape – This is NOT a quick fix Green landscaping helps homeowners to save money, time and resources while cultivating a healthy environment for plants. It is wise to use organic fertilizers for the growth of plants. There is no quick-fix or a short-term solution to an eco-friendly lawn. Put in some efforts and the results will be long-term. Recommended Reading: