 Green landscaping is an innovative and exciting way to create an environmentally healthy, beautiful landscape for your family to enjoy! By doing a bit of research regarding landscape design, selecting native plants and using natural compost as fertilizer, you can impact the environment in an extremely positive way.
EnviroCitizen.org has put together some pointers on how you can begin your green landscaping project effectively :
- Cut back on lawn space. If done properly, a lawn can be very beneficial to the environment. However, if the yard is large, requires a lot of maintenance and is don’t too quickly, it can have a negative impact. Traditional lawns require a great deal of manicuring and lawn mowers account for a large percentage of air and noise pollution in the US. An alternative to this is to cut back on your lawn space, use native plants and try a push reel mower.
- Don’t use gas mowers. Push reel mowers are an eco-friendly alternative to gas powered rotary models. Push reel mowers are powered by the user and come in many varieties. They do require a little extra time and effort, but is usually an insignificant amount.
- Consider energy conservation. The location of your plants, trees and shrubs can significantly lower your consumption of resources. Plants can help to insulate a home, provide a barrier against wind and weather to your home and can provide shade during the summer.
- Reuse your water. Proper irrigation plans can allow for the reuse and redirection of water for the efficient watering of your landscape. Using canals and irrigation systems can cut down on your environmental impact as well as the use of expensive resources. Keep in mind that if used properly, automatic irrigation systems can actually conserve water. If you are willing to put in the time to properly use any of these systems, you can do the world a lot of good.
- Avoid pesticides. Chemical pesticides can be harmful to the environment and to your family. Instead, try using natural insects and other animals to your advantage. Introduce the right bugs (those that target plant-harmful insects) to your garden and try to attract birds that will feast on your unwanted pests.
- Cut out the herbicides. There are many natural solutions to herbicides. Along with the use of natural products, such as vinegars, it is also possible to plant specific shrubs and plants which will choke out other weeds. However, these plants are strong and must be kept away from desirable plants.
- Cut out chemical fertilizers. Consider creating a homemade compost pile, which can break down biodegradable goods from your home along with natural waste from your yard. Compost can be used in your landscape as an extremely effective fertilizer.
Before beginning your next project, check out some of the green landscaping tools and supplies EnviroCitizen.org has available!
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