Try Eco-Friendly Landscaping

There is no doubt that we are living in an era full of environmental issues. As humans, it is in our nature to try and make our lives easier and more convenient. As a result, we tend to be quite self-centred, failing to realise the impact our actions have on the environment.

The harmful effects on the environment caused by humans are colossal. They range from pollution and resource depletion to environmental degradation and even climate change.

While you are unlikely to undo the damage already done to our planet, you might want to do your part in preventing further degradation. In that case, eco-friendly landscaping is a great way to start.

Definition of Eco-Friendly Landscaping

Eco-friendly landscaping (also called green landscaping or sustainable landscaping) refers to a number of practices that have developed as a result of the aforementioned environmental issues. Simply put, sustainable landscaping is a way of designing, constructing and maintaining the garden by using as little energy as possible.

Not only is green landscaping great for the environment, but it also saves you a lot of time and money. There is no downside to going “green” in your own garden.

Eco-Friendly Landscaping Tips

If maintaining your own garden sounds like too much work, don’t worry! We are living in an age where more and more people are becoming aware of the adverse effects humans have on the environment.

As a result, many large cities, such as London, have companies that provide eco-friendly garden maintenance services. With these companies doing all the hard work for you, going green has never been easier.

On the other hand, if you want to have more control over your land, you can always design your own eco-friendly garden. Sustainable landscaping might sound a bit overwhelming. However, it is definitely not as hard as it seems. Here are a few tips and tricks to get you started!

Reduce the Size of Your Lawn

Reducing the size of your lawn also reduces the amount of grass you need. As a result, you will use less water overall, which is crucial to eco landscaping.

Carefully Choose Your Plants

Some plants simply require more water to survive. For green landscaping, it is important to choose plants that need little to thrive. For example, annuals, while beautiful, require maintenance that is not environmentally friendly. Opt for perennials instead, as they need the least water year-round.

Bonus tip: Try to plant in the fall, when it rains the most.

Use Water Responsibly

As you might have noticed, reducing water pollution is one of the most important parts of eco-friendly landscaping. Installing an irrigation system that optimizes water output is a great idea. Also, try to water your lawn when the temperature is cool, to reduce evaporation. Moreover, choose an eco-friendly irrigation system to treat hard water not only to keep your soil healthy but also to reduce the maintenance fee of your irrigation system.

Avoid Using Chemicals

This step should be a no-brainer. Dangerous chemicals and pesticides are extremely bad for the environment (and for your health, too!) and should be avoided.

Harvest Rainwater

Another step to reduce water waste! Reused rainwater can be used for many purposes, from watering your lawn to even washing your car.

Composting

Compost is made from organic materials that we would otherwise throw out, such as leaves and food scraps. Compost can be used as a fertiliser and reduces the amount of overall waste in your household, making it ideal for an eco-friendly home!

Use Plants Native to Your Area

If you are uncertain which plants are native to your area, you can certainly find information about it online.

Reduce Fuel Emissions

Some equipment used for maintaining a lawn can be bad for the environment, such as leaf blowers, lawnmowers, and even chain saws. Try using manual tools as much as possible to reduce emissions.

Benefits

There are many reasons to try eco-friendly landscaping. After all, we need to do everything in our power to help the Earth and battle the negative effects we made on it.

A sustainable landscape is crucial for eliminating dangerous chemicals that enter the atmosphere. Also, using natural fruits and vegetables (instead of mass-produced) greatly helps in restoring the ecosystem. On a similar note, they are usually healthier too!

Of course, green landscaping is also great for the wildlife, as local plants have a place to thrive which creates a healthy habitat. Last, but certainly not least, eco-friendly landscaping saves a ton of energy and water every second, reducing the footprint we leave on Earth.

Go Green

While eco landscaping is a great place to start, you should try to go green in other areas of your life too. Reducing, reusing and recycling should always be in the back of your mind. It is our duty to keep our planet as safe and as healthy as possible, and going green is a great way to do so.