Eco-Friendly Landscaping Tips for the Average Person

When it comes to Green Landscaping many of us think of terms like DDT, pesticide, environmentalist, and so on, but in reality the Eco-friendly option can commonly be the most cost effective. Below you will find several ways in which you can reduce energy costs and reduce the time needed for upkeep of your home and garden, all by simply incorporating some simple Eco-friendly methods into your landscaping.

Primary to your goal of Eco-friendly landscaping is the concept of native plants. Try and always select plants for your garden which are native to your area. These plants will be healthier and more disease resistant than other invasive species. Also they will need less irrigation as they should be accustomed to the rainfall which your area already has. These native plants will also attract native wildlife and insects which will be beneficial to you and your garden, requiring less pesticides and less care overall.

Living in the Midwest I am used to seeing farm homes surrounded by rows of evergreen trees. This is used to block damaging winds and provide shade. The use of ever green trees will save your roof from wind damage during storms and can also add some privacy to your backyard if so chosen. The only other option to consider is planting Deciduous trees( trees which loose their leaves in the winter) around your home, this allows for shade in the summer and warm sunlight to pour down in the winter when you need it most. Deciduous trees can be a great energy saver but are less effective for controlling wind. Also try not to take these suggestions to far, and make sure that your tree choices are native to the area. Otherwise your trees will struggle to grow and not serve the purpose which you originally intended. For information about which tree's to plant best in your area, consider contacting the Arbor day foundation.

One of the most common mistakes I see today is the use of pesticides around the garden and in the yard, fertilizers also often have their downsides. People often think about the positives of the pesticide when they see bigger tomatoes in their gardens but little attention is paid to the not so easily seen side effects. For instance the majority of pesticides and fertilizers end up leeching through the ground and into the water table. These are later carried into streams and rivers and result in mass pollution. Curtail your use of pesticides and fertilizers by selecting hardy plants which don't need so much care. Create a compost pile in a corner of your yard(away from the house), add your grass clippings and food waste to it and in the fall add the leaves from your trees. This compost pile will create a habitat for various insects and most importantly create the best fertilizer imaginable without any chemicals what so ever.

Some of these simple changes can make a large impact on your garden and on your energy bill. It is far past time to put away your old sprinkler which moves back and forth, opt for more Eco friendly ground cover and plants which will serve you better. You do not have to sacrifice looks in order to achieve Eco-friendly gardens, you just have to put a little more effort in initially and soon your will see the benefits.