Five Eco-Friendly Landscaping Tips

Five Eco-Friendly Landscaping Tips

For those who are interested in decreasing their carbon footprint, there are some simple ways you can go green at home—even in the backyard. Many worry that eco-friendly landscaping is synonymous with no landscaping, as it seems counterintuitive that maintaining lush plants and other foliage is environmentally friendly.

However, it is possible to go green with green landscape. In fact, eco-friendly landscaping is actually more low maintenance than traditional landscaping, as eco-friendly plants and materials require less care and water.

If you are ready to have a more sustainable yard, here are five eco-friendly landscaping tips to get you started:

  1. Reduce the Lawn

Getting rid of a portion of the lawn can significantly make your outdoor space more eco-friendly. While some go as far to remove all lawn, replacing it with synthetic turf, which requires no water and little maintenance, for those who still enjoy the look and feel of natural grass, simply reducing the lawn size can help, as it will save water.

In the area that once held lawn, consider expanding your patio area. The larger your patio is, the less grass or other foliage you have to maintain. Instead, fill the space with quality patio furniture, drought-friendly potted plants, and lots of ground covering, such as bark or gravel.

  1. Reclaimed Wood and Recycled Materials

Using reclaimed wood for projects in the backyard is a great way to add character to the space while being environmentally minded. Reclaimed wood is wood that has been recycled and is available to be repurposed into another project, such as a planters, fencing, and other wood-specific projects.

Additionally, look to use other recycled materials. Ask around construction sites if there are any extra materials or scraps that you can salvage, or check out stores that sell recycled materials, such as bricks, plants, or rocks.

  1. Rain Irrigation System

One of the most eco-friendly trends right now is a rain irrigation system. Many people are using barrels or trashcans to collect rain water, then harvest that rain for their lawns, gardens, and other plants. All you have to do to harvest the rain is keep the lid of your rain barrel open while it rains.

  1. Low-Maintenance Plants

Drought-resistant plants are great, for they require little to no water, as well as save you time since they do not require the same amount of care as other landscape. For those who are not interested in desert plants, there are in fact plenty of drought-resistant plants that are colorful and lush, including ornamental grass, marigolds, pansies, and tulips.

  1. Outdoor Lights

Just like indoor lighting, there are many options for eco-friendly outdoor lights. Currently, most outdoor lights, such as strands of lights, lanterns, and porch lamps come with LED lights, or are at least compatible with them, making your landscape lighting as eco-friendly as the rest of your yard.

These simple tips can help your backyard be as efficient as your home.

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