Guest Post: Green Landscaping Ideas

It is enjoyable hearing from someone who understands both sides of he building trade. Wade Myer writes that he is a recovering contractor who has turned to writing as it is much easier on his back. He adds that he has always been drawn to the written word where he can frame sentences rather than walls. Here he provides a quick and common sense perspective concerning the landscaping side of the green building challenge.

Drought-tolerant woolly silver thyme, golden sedum, and miniature blue bellflowers are perennial low creeping groundcovers blooming together along a garden pathway. Source: Shutterstock

Green Landscaping Ideas

As more and more people are realizing the significance of their impacts on the environment, we are seeing a rapid growth of the “green” movement. As the movement has grown it has also expanded into numerous aspects of our lives. One area where people have become especially conscious of their environmental impact is in regards to their home. For those who want to make their homes more eco-friendly, an easy place to start is outside. Here are some green landscaping ideas and techniques you can implement to make your house more environmentally friendly and energy efficient.

Use Native Plants

The first thing you should consider when thinking about green landscaping is whether or not you have native plants in your garden or yard. Planting only native plants is green in a variety of ways. Native plants are accustomed to the region you are living in and will require much less care and water.

Utilizing Shade from Trees

Another green landscaping idea deals with the shade produced by the trees in your yards. Strategically placing trees so that they shade your house can save on energy. The shade from these trees protects your home from direct sunlight which keeps your house cool and reduces the stress put on your air conditioner during summer months.

Xeriscaping

This is a relatively new term and idea that deals with clever irrigation practices. As mentioned before, using native plants will help with this technique as it saves on water. Aspects of xeriscaping include utilizing low-flow nozzles and soil moisture sensors along with smart controllers which determine how to use water most efficiently. To go a step further, you can direct any rain spouts or gutter spouts are directing rain water to your garden or lawn.

Create an Edible Garden

This is perhaps one of the most eco-friendly things you can do in regards to green landscaping as its environmental impacts go beyond just your garden. Keeping the idea of native plants in mind, you can make your garden not only beautiful, but also functional by planting edible vegetation. Eating food that you grow in your own garden will provide you with healthy organic food and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.

These are just a few of the techniques available for green landscaping practices. Ensuring that your garden and the landscape of your house are eco-friendly is a good starting point to making your house more environmentally friendly. The green movement will only continue to grow, and as it does, everyone will benefit.

Wade Myer is a recovering contractor who has turned to writing as it is much easier on his back. He has always been drawn to the written word where he can frame sentences rather than walls.  Currently he writes on behalf of Crown Point home builders Steiner Homes LTD.

Photo: Drought-tolerant woolly silver thyme, golden sedum, and miniature blue bellflowers are perennial low creeping groundcovers blooming together along a garden pathway from Shutterstock.

[source: http://feeds.importantmedia.org/~r/IM-greenbuildingelements/~3/Yi6sVlV7s-8/]