If you’re like most 21st-century homeowners, you’re already aware of the benefits of cultivating eco-friendly elements in your outdoor living space. Not only does this approach have the potential to decrease your water bills, but it also increases the overall value of your home. There are plenty of ways to incorporate environmentally friendly practices into your yard — the following are eight of them.
Native Flowers, Shrubs, and Trees
Planting native vegetation means that you’ll use less water because your plants will already be acclimated to local climate conditions, including the amount of rainfall that you get. They’ll also be resistant to local pests and pathogens, which will save you money on pest and disease control. As an added bonus, they’ll provide habitat for local wildlife species.
Rain Gardens
Designed to capture and filter rainwater, rain gardens help prevent soil erosion and reduce the risk of flooding. Rain gardens are typically planted with wetland species that thrive in damp and boggy conditions.
Compost Bins
Adding a compost bin is an excellent way to reduce household waste and generate organic matter to enrich your garden soil. The most commonly composted materials include kitchen scraps and yard waste. The key to successful composting is knowing what can go in your bin and what can’t, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the basics of household composting. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to produce balanced compost to help your garden thrive.
Rain Barrels
Rain barrels provide homeowners with a way to reduce their dependence on municipal water supplies and conserve water. These barrels collect and store rainwater that runs down your roof and are ideal for using to water your garden, container plants, and lawn.
Permeable Paving
Traditional paving options such as asphalt and concrete contribute to soil erosion by promoting water runoff as well as elevating heat-island effects. Permeable paving materials, on the other hand, allow water to seep through them and enter the ground. These materials include gravel, permeable concrete, and interlocking pavers.
Solar Lighting
Outdoor solar lights provide illumination for your outdoor living area after the sun goes down. Solar lighting is easy to install, and because they operate on the energy they harvest from the sun during the day, they don’t require any wiring — and therefore, they incur no energy costs.
Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is a landscape design strategy that strives to minimize the use of added water. Elements include drought-tolerant plants, reducing or completely eliminating lawns by replacing them with more sustainable options such as rock gardens and incorporating ground covers such as gravel or mulch to reduce evaporation.
Pollinator Gardens
Pollinator gardens not only provide local pollinators with sustenance, but they also increase both the beauty and the biodiversity of your yard. Choose plants that bloom at different times to help ensure that there’s also something there for the birds, bees, and butterflies.
Eco-friendly landscaping additions enhance the aesthetics, value, and sustainability of any outdoor living space. Reach out to a local landscaping company so you can discuss what your best options are for your space.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
