10 Tips to Create an Environmentally Friendly Landscape

Environmentally-friendly landscaping is easy to achieve, more than you might think!

However, one pain point for homeowners who live in hot, dry climates is the landscaping required to maintain natural grass and shrubbery. Grass and other greenery require large amounts of water and maintenance, which can be wasteful in these arid environments.

Keep reading for 10 tips to help you create an eco-friendly landscape design:

1. Reduce Lawn Size

The most efficient way to reduce the amount of water you need for landscaping is to reduce the size of your lawn.  Plant large flower beds at the corners and edges of your lawn. This takes up valuable lawn real estate, adds dimension, and makes for a lovely seating area. 

2. Utilize Hardscapes

Utilize hardscapes in your landscape design such as boulders, concrete, and stepping stones.

The whole family will undoubtedly use a seating area surrounded by boulders and plants! Alternatively, create a stepping stone pathway through your eco-friendly lawn to a shaded seating area.

3. Plant Wisely

Annual plants and flowers are beautiful – but require lots of water to maintain. Instead, plant perennials. They’re the most efficient choice when it comes to water requirements!

Additionally, plant your flower beds in the fall, when temperatures are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.

4. Layer Your Landscape

Layering is a powerful tool to strategically use lawn space while increasing the curb appeal of your home.

For example, line the edge of your property with shrubs, then layer shorter plants like native grasses in front of the shrubbery. Next, layer perennials and ground cover plants in planting beds. Not difficult, and looks great too!

5. Enhance Natural Slopes

Naturally occurring slopes and hills can sometimes create difficulty when landscaping. However, slopes also add dimension and are great for retaining walls and flower beds. 

Be sure to use native shrubs, boulders, rocks, and ground cover in steep areas. 

6. Amend The Soil

Nourish your soil with essential nutrients to ensure that plants thrive! Plant and animal-based organic fertilizers will help to improve the texture and condition of the soil.  

7. Mulch

Mulch heavily in plant beds! Space out plants and use 2-3” of mulch between plants to reduce water loss and prevent weed growth. 

It’s best practice to add at least 2 inches of new mulch each year.

8. Use Ground Cover Plants

Ground cover plants will normally grow close to the ground – so they can cover large areas, filling up space in plant beds.  

Not only do ground plants stabilize sloping areas by preventing erosion, but they also work well as border plants. Ground plants come in a variety of colors and textures and can help reduce weed growth and cover bare spots in your garden.

9. Use Smart Irrigation

Smart irrigation systems help avoid excess water consumption. Particularly a drip-irrigation system, which delivers water directly to plants without wasting water. 

Be sure to water only when necessary and turn off irrigation systems during periods of precipitation.

10. Install Artificial Grass

Artificial grass is becoming more popular because it requires little to no water, no fertilizer, and no pesticides – all very environmentally friendly aspects! Synthetic turf also decreases the amount of time, effort, and money normally associated with landscaping care and chores.

Ready to make the switch to artificial turf? Contact the experts at FieldTurf Landscape!