Going green is a noble goal. Preserving natural resources, reducing your carbon footprint, recycling and composting are all ways people embrace living more sustainable lifestyles on a daily basis.
And just as you find greener ways to doin things around the house, you also can find ways to be more sustainable outdoors.
Eco-friendly landscaping can help you not only get a greener space, but also amplify your greener living lifestyle.
Maintaining your landscape can have a pretty big impact on the environment.
Sustainable landscape maintenance works with nature rather than against it, contributing to an overall healthier environment.
Try these five strategies for a greener garden and lawn.
Plant natives to lower maintenance
One of the best ways to embrace eco-friendly landscaping is to use plants that are native to Virginia.
These species are already adapted to our local environment, not requiring extra water or nutrients, so you’re already using fewer inputs to have a thriving landscape. This naturally reduces your landscape maintenance needs.
Then, you get additional benefits because native plants draw pollinators like hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and bats. Wildlife also can find shelter in native trees and plants, as well as food in the form of nuts, seeds and fruit.
Water wisely
Reducing the amount of water your garden uses is another eco-friendly landscaping practice.
This can be done by embracing a smarter irrigation system that works with soil moisture and rain sensors to water only when necessary. An optimally designed and maintained irrigation system also ensures water goes only where it’s needed. For example, drip irrigation can target water to your plants’ roots in your landscape beds, so it isn’t lost to wind.
Additionally, using a rain barrel can help you collect rainwater from your roof so you can use it in your landscape.
Fertilize sensibly
You can have a healthy lawn and embrace eco-friendly landscaping simultaneously.
The process starts with a soil test to determine exactly what your lawn’s soil is lacking. A great lawn, after all, is rooted in healthy soil.
Then, base your fertilization strategy off of your soil test results. Using organic fertilizers and practicing integrated pest management – where you’re scouting for pests before applying any products to control them – are other ways to limit lawn inputs, yet still achieve the look you seek.
Trim strategically
When you harshly or aggressively prune your plants, you stress them out, requiring them to suffer and potentially need more maintenance and attention to bounce back.
Instead, prune them strategically. Taking off no more than one-third of the plant's branches at any one time ensures they remain strong and grow naturally without excess stress or strain.
Prioritize alternative power
When it comes to your landscape equipment, you can choose models that use alternative power to embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle. Mowers, leaf blowers and other equipment all have more fuel-efficient options, such as battery-powered models, these days.
If you hire a professional to help you with your landscape maintenance, find one who is committed to using cleaner energy options and limits pollution in their daily practices.
Looking for ways you can be greener with your landscape maintenance? Rossen Landscape would love to help you maintain a space that you can enjoy and feel good about. Contact us today to learn more about our sustainability efforts.
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