5 Easy Ways to Maintain a Sustainable Landscape
Sustainability is just as important as style and function. When we can get all three to work in harmony, it’s a win for not only your home, but for the planet! We listed five ways you can create a more eco-friendly outdoor living space. Let’s get started —
01. incorporate native plants
Bringing in plants that are native to the area holds many sustainable benefits because since they are well adapted to their surrounding environment, they will require less care and most importantly, water. In addition, they create natural habitats for the native wildlife within the local ecosystem. Native plants conserve resources and naturally establish quality of life for neighboring wildlife.
02. water only when needed
This seems simple, but important as it’s often forgotten. It’s easy to overwater and to be unaware of how much water a given plant requires. If you’re curious, do a quick Google search, ask your local nursery, or if you’re one of our clients - ask the GPL Team! Watering more precisely will allow you to save water, money, and even promote health within your plants. Under watering and over watering can be a cause of illness with your landscape. Here are some tips for conserving water:
Put out a rain bucket and reuse that water for your plants
Install an irrigation system (learn more on irrigation systems here)
Water in the evening to reduce evaporation
Choose a low-maintenance landscape
03. plant for pollinators
If you can, plant with pollinators in mind. Why? Well because they are a vital part to the balance and harmony of our ecosystem. Adding an area of wildflowers will help other plants with their fruit and seeding process, while also creating homes for insects and birds alike. Not to mention, they’re simply beautiful!
04. start composting
We get it, composting sounds… gross. But in the long run, it really does help us reduce waste and teaches us how to be resourceful with our leftovers. Once food scraps/natural elements are composted, they turn into soil gold that you can use in your garden for some added nutrition. In the long run, you are saving money, energy, and minimizing your carbon footprint.
05. recycle excess materials
Sometimes, we forget the power of a good ‘ol DIY. We understand the draw to want to outsource every single thing in our lives, but sometimes, crafting something on your own with excess materials such as wood, tile, metals, etc. is easier than we realize! If you personally aren’t interested in using it, consider donating it to a friend who could make use of it. The possibilities are endless when you reimagine what can be created with unused/excess materials.
