Beautiful landscaping can make a huge difference in how a house feels like a home. Trees, shrubs, flowers, edible plants, rocks, and bricks add character to a yard, but these additions can also become costly and take their toll on the natural environment. Fortunately, there are lots of ways that you can landscape your yard in a sustainable and beneficial way.
Here are some eco-friendly landscaping ideas for to try around your home and yard this year.
Stick to Native Plants
It’s no secret to gardeners that some plants grow better in certain regions than others. By forcing non-native plants to grow in your yard, you will likely spend more time, energy, and resources to keep them alive. Instead, learn about what the native plants are in your region because these plants are best-suited for your environment. However, avoid invasive species of native plants because they can compromise the health of other plants in your yard.
Embrace the Practice of Mulching
Mulch is a wonderful way to make your landscaping eco-friendlier along pathways and around shrubs. This is because mulch helps prevent the spread of weeds, helps regulate temperature on hot and cold days, and prevents erosion. You can buy commercial organic mulch in garden stores or make your own using bark and other debris materials. Plan to add a couple inches of new mulch each year and use two or three inches of mulch between your plants to prevent weed growth and loss of water.
Install a Sprinkler or Drip Irrigation System
Watering the plants in your yard can take a lot of water, which is a precious resource and in high demand. To prevent water waste from your landscaping, consider installing a sprinkler system to regulate the amount of water disbursed and the timing of your watering sessions. For garden beds, a drip irrigation system can help save water by delivering water directly to plant root systems rather than the foliage on top. Longer but less frequent watering periods can aid deep root growth and make plants more drought-tolerant.
Use Fish Fertilizer
One of the very best things you can do for the plants in your yard is to feed them with fish fertilizer. Seagate Fish Fertilizer Concentrate is derived from whole anchovies and sardines caught along the Baja California shores. It is a multi-purpose, indoor/outdoor natural fertilizer that works well for trees, flowers, and vegetables. Apply fish fertilizer below the soil’s surface by pouring it into a small hole near the plant’s roots. Just a single application can continue to feed plants for four to five months, and one container will fertilize hundreds of plants.
Learn About Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is a drought-planning practice that is good to learn about, regardless of whether you live in a drought zone or not. One easy xeriscaping practice involves putting plants that have similar water and sun requirements next to each other. You can also plant drought-resistant variants of certain plants to reduce your lawn’s watering needs. Other principles of xeriscaping include efficient irrigation, good use of mulches, and capturing rainwater in cisterns.
Add Solar-Powered Lights
Well-appointed lights can make an outdoor landscape come alive and be inviting for parties and relaxation. Instead of using additional electricity, consider installing some solar-powered lights among your landscaping to make walkways safe and highlight the rocks and plants along the way. Lights with motion sensors can also help you reduce electricity usage and even provide a security function.