Save Water and Money with Environmentally Friendly Landscaping

We all enjoy natural beauty, especially at home where we can choose to surround ourselves with our favorite plants and flowers. It can take a lot of effort to achieve the landscape of our dreams but did you know that environmentally friendly landscaping saves money, time and water? A truly green yard and garden is less work.

Conventional home landscapes waste water and require pesticides. Environmentally friendly landscaping needs less watering and less chemical intervention which means less labor. Instead of pesticides, you can apply some simple wisdom to integrate your yard with the natural ecosystem.

One of the best ways to “green” your garden is to put plants in the right place. In nature, plants pick where they like to grow based on soil, water and sun. You can use these three criteria to help plants be hardier on their own and in harmony with natural weather cycles.

It’s easier than you think as plants, flowers and seeds come with quick reference instructions. It just takes a little observation and planning. As you choose spots for your plants, be sure to consider how big they will get and offer them enough room to grow to their natural size. This not only eases the maintenance load of your garden, it can help you shade your home and save on cooling costs.

The other surefire way to have a beautiful, natural garden is to choose native plants as much as possible. These guys already like the weather, soil and sun patterns in your yard. Plus, they are more likely to attract native butterflies, birds and bees which will enhance your garden’s beauty and help it grow.

There is a difference between native and wild plants. If you snag flora from the forest you will disrupt Mother Nature’s garden so be sure to get native plants from a nursery or a friend’s garden.

The big incentive for using pesticides in the garden is to cut down maintenance associated with weeds. However, this practice doesn’t yield a healthy natural refuge. According to the EPA, the level of pesticides in residential landscapes is higher than commercial farms.

Pesticides have been linked to cancer and birth defects. They inevitably find their way into the natural water cycle where they pollute rivers, lakes, oceans and local drinking water. If your home is surrounded by pesticides, it’s likely they’re inside as well tracked in on shoes.

There is an entire industry dedicated to toxin-free pest control and plenty of simple strategies you can implement yourself so do a little research to free your garden from its chemical dependency.

One of the best natural ways to keep pests away is to encourage robust plants. Healthy shrubs and flowers are naturally resistant to unwanted garden intruders. Instead of chemical fertilizers and herbicides, opt for organic mulch. It will enrich the soil and help keep weeds away. You can make your own by composting or purchase a commercial brand at a fraction of the cost of herbicides or chemical fertilizers.

For an extra eco-friendly boost think about building a rain garden. Not only are these a gorgeous way to use your yard’s existing topography, they do wonders for reducing storm water runoff and water pollution.

A garden and yard that is integrated with natural cycles will yield a healthy, beautiful landscape. It’s less costly, requires less maintenance and will enhance the surrounding environment rather than polluting it.

*Note: The information in this article is general advice and not meant as a substitute for personal guidance from a financial advisor, real estate professional, home improvement contractor or legal counsel. Although the author is a licensed realtor, the advice given in this article does not constitute any client contract or agreement between the author and the user. The author is not responsible for any losses, damages or claims that may result from your decisions.