Many clients come to me with questions about how to take significant “green” steps to make their gardens more eco-friendly. The question I hear the most? “Where to start?” Here are five easy steps every person can take in their home garden that will help the environment and save you money in the long run on watering and energy costs.
Reduce your lawn by half — yes, by half! Replace your reduced lawn area with groundcovers that will provide beautiful colors and textures to your space, and add beautiful hardscape or some pourous paving which allow for surrounding plantings to soak up any excess water
Replace plants with drought-tolerant alternatives that require much less water.
Also replace exotic plants with native plants that can easily survive and thrive in the year round weather conditions in your area. This will also cut down on the cost of replacing plants that don’t survive well in your weather.
Add a deciduous tree (one that loses its leaves in Fall) which will grow tall, and shade your home and roof during summer months, keeping your inside temps lower. These trees will also allow for sunlight to enter your home during winter months to help keept it warm and reduce your overall energy use.
Make your garden productive by adding vegetables and 2-3 fruit trees. Vegetables can be grown in former lawn areas, and trees are fantastic garden additions as they absorb CO2 and other dangerous gasses while replenishing the atmosphere with oxygen. You can save money at the grocery store, enjoy fresh produce, or help others by donating your home grown vegetables and fruit to those in need