Eco-friendly changes are an important part of nature conservation, but many people aren’t sure about how to get started. When it comes to your home, there are several easy things you can incorporate into your lifestyle that are “green”, including landscaping changes that will prevent water waste. Not only are these changes great for the environment, they’ll also save you money and time as well.
Use this guide to get started with some simple changes to your lawn care routine that will make a huge difference.
Use natural resources
Watering your plants and grass requires about half a gallon per square foot, and that adds up pretty quickly, both in terms of use and cost. Try using natural resources instead.
● Consider creating a rain garden, which requires a bit of digging to keep plants in a sunken area in order to collect runoff.
● Use a rain barrel system on your gutter. Research your options, and be sure to check local laws before installation.
● Save water used in the kitchen (from potatoes, pasta, or vegetables) for your plants.
Use organic tools
Sometimes, nature provides us with all the tools we need for a particular job. With rainwater doing most of the work, there are a few other things you can do to help keep things from drying out, such as going organic.
● Let it grow! Set your lawn mower to a higher height to allow for longer grass. This will help to prevent water evaporation, so your lawn will need fewer drinks.
● Leave grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. These will help deliver important nutrients and water to the soil, which keeps your grass strong and healthy.
● Use natural mulch--full of organic materials like clippings and wood chips--to hold moisture in around plant roots.
Change up your landscape design
Your landscaping doesn’t have to include a full lawn or tons of shrubbery to manage; you can change things up and maybe even boost your home’s curb appeal in the process.
● Reduce the grassy area by adding decorative rocks or a walking path, drastically reducing your water needs.
● Replace some flowers with native or drought-resistant breeds, which can go much longer without watering.
● If possible, swap out some of your plants with edible landscaping, which includes edible herbs, blackberry bushes, and cherry trees.
● Utilize trees for plants that don’t like full sun, and group plants together that have similar needs when designing your new landscape.
Conserving water and living an eco-friendly lifestyle doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. By making some simple changes, you can do your part to protect the planet and reap the benefits of a lawn that doesn’t need as much care, which include saving money and possibly boosting the value of your home.