Spring is almost here!! Time for new beginnings and a new, more sustainable garden!
Why? An ecologically sound garden design harmonizes the wants and needs of people with the habitat needs of wildlife, and looks beautiful while doing it!
We all know the Earth’s climate is changing and average global temperatures are on the rise, largely due to human activity. While our individual gardens may not save the world on their own, our choice to make them more sustainable can be a major step toward being better stewards of the earth.
Sustainable Landscape Design is an umbrella term that covers a variety of practices that contribute to the design, construction and management of public and private landscapes. In a nutshell, the aim is to optimize your landscape so it not only looks beautiful, but contributes to the ecosystem it is inevitably a part of. A sustainable environment requires less input of water and nutrients while providing more for your soil, pollinators, birds and more.
Sustainable landscaping practices help protect the environment by reducing pollution (less fertilizers and pesticides), energy use, erosion, and storm water runoff while creating wildlife habitat and strengthening the health of local ecosystems. You can even save money while you work to save the world!
Major benefits of sustainable landscaping include:
Less maintenance. A sustainable landscape ideally contains primarily native plants that thrive under local conditions so your property needs minimal human assistance
Longer life. A sustainable landscape centers around a balanced ecosystem – native plants attract native insects, pollinators and creatures, all of which play a role in stabilizing and supporting a healthy ecosystem.
Reduced water usage. A sustainable landscape starts with healthy, rich soil so it absorbs and retains moisture better, minimizing runoff and puddles that can attract disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes.
Minimal use of fertilizers and pesticides. Healthy soil contains the micro and macro organisms that feed off dead and decaying biomatter. A balanced ecosystem helps sustain a proper predator/prey environment, reducing the need for pesticides.
Use of green waste. Compost created from dead flowers, stems, and leaves provides a natural fertilizer while mulch made from ground-up woody material provides an attractive, natural barrier to weeds and helps the soil retain moisture and protect root systems.
If you’d like to create a more sustainable landscape to help combat climate change and support a healthier environment, here are some practices that can make a significant difference:
Learn about your landscape. Knowing your property’s resources, conditions, and challenges is key to making good decisions about your plants, soil, water, and wildlife.
Build healthy soil. Healthy, fertile soil is necessary for good plant growth, supports microorganisms, and results in plants that are more disease- and pest-resistant.
Choose the right plant for the right spot. A properly located plant will require less maintenance and pruning, and help you avoid the cost and waste of replacing it.
Reduce waste and recycle nutrients. Recycling nutrients through composting and recycling grass clippings reduces the need for fertilizers or other soil supplements.
Attract and protect wildlife. By providing food, cover, and water, homeowners can make a real difference in the survival and health of local wildlife.
Manage yard pests responsibly. Start with natural resources such as beneficial pest predators including toads, lady bugs, dragon flies, bats, and other winged allies. Non-synthetic, organic pesticides can also help while minimizing the introduction of chemical toxins.
Use water wisely. Using water efficiently for home lawns and landscapes can help increase water for wildlife and other community needs.
Mow and prune responsibly. Proper mowing and pruning practices can help reduce pesticide, water, and fertilizer use by keeping plants healthy and resistant to disease.
Reduce stormwater runoff. By keeping storm water from running off onto neighboring properties and into waterways, you can help prevent flooding, erosion, and water pollution. Keeping storm water on-site helps recharge groundwater supplies and can benefit wildlife habitats.
Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment.
Sustainable landscape design seeks to mimic the patterns and processes of nature, creating natural spaces that can better maintain themselves while improving their environment over time.
A thorough site assessment and careful planning are what a sustainable landscape designs foundation begins with:
Site Analysis: make sure to understand the climate, soil type, sunlight exposure, and existing flora and fauna in your region. Obtaining this information will guide you through your plant selection and design decisions.
Optimize water management: find natural drainage patterns and potential water sources on your property. Through rain gardens, swales, or rain barrels plan to capture and utilize rainwater to reduce water wastage.
Native plant selection: choose native plants that are well adapted to your region’s conditions. Usually, native plants require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance compared to non-native species.
Reduce lawn areas: prioritize native groundcovers and meadow plantings and limit the size of lawns. This helps reduce the need to mowing and excessive water usage frequently.
Conserving water is a very important aspect of sustainable landscape design. Use water-saving techniques to minimize water consumption:
Drip irrigation: reducing water loss through evaporation and runoff, delivering water directly to plant roots install a drip irrigation system.
Rainwater harvesting: set up rain barrels or cisterns to help collect rainwater from rooftops. Make use of this harvested water for irrigation during dry periods.
Group plants based on water needs: group plants that have the same requirements together to ensure efficient irrigation practices.
One of the important practices in Sustainable Landscaping is composting and mulching which helps improve soil health and reduce waste:
Composting: compost enriches the soil with nutrients, increases its structure, and promotes healthy plant growth. Start a composting system for kitchen and garden waste.
Mulching: mulching helps improve soil fertility as it breaks down over time. Add organic mulch around plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and insulate the soil.
Thoughtful maintenance to preserve its eco-friendly features is required for a sustainable landscape:
Integrated pest management(IPM): opt for IPM principles to manage pests by putting to use natural predators, physical barriers, and biological controls, reducing the need for harmful chemicals.
Organic fertilizers: the use of organic fertilizers promotes soil health without introducing harmful chemicals into the ecosystem.
Seasonal plant care: make sure to understand the needs of your plants through the different seasons and provide the appropriate care they need accordingly.
Designing sustainably is a powerful way to contribute to environmental conservation and create beautiful outdoor spaces that align with nature’s principles. You can foster a thriving and flourishing ecosystem that supports local wildlife and conserves precious resources. Always remember that sustainability is a ongoing study we all need to adapt to to achieve a greener, greater future.
In today’s world, it’s essential and also trendy to follow eco-friendly and sustainable practices in your daily lifestyle. The same thing goes for your landscape design, by adding these practices and having a sustainable and eco-friendly landscape you'll be doing your part to be a better steward of nature!
Want your landscape designed for FREE!? Our Rewards members qualify for free designs--just fill out our inquiry form and we'll be in touch! In the meantime, watch the videos below to learn more about native plants and our landscaping process!
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