Sustainable Landscaping

by Texas Home And Garden

Sustainable landscaping practices are becoming the norm for more and more Texans and this applies across the world as well. As the effects of non-sustainable yards and gardens become more apparent, homeowners are reconsidering their outdoor options.

Negative Consequences of Non-sustainable Landscaping Practices

The negative effects of these practices directly impact homeowners and their local communities. Some of these effects manifest in invasive species takeovers or chemical pollutants in our drinking water. There has been documented harm to local plants and animals due to native habitat destruction. Some members of local communities also exhibit health problems caused by toxins in the fertilizers and pesticides. With these growing problems a call to return to native and sustainable landscaping is being readily adopted.

What Exactly is Sustainable Landscaping?

A sustainable landscape is one that is designed to be attractive, in accordance with the local climate and environment, and it requires minimal external resources. Water resources are managed to prevent waste and to increase the overall efficiency of the water’s usage. The use of compost materials, grass cycling, and strategic planting helps reduce the use of chemicals, controls pests, prevents erosion, and helps to prevent air, water, and soil pollution.

What Are Some of the Techniques That Foster Sustainable Landscaping?

•Integration of renewable energy, such as solar powered lighting

•The use of recycled materials (tires, glass, paper, etc…) in paving stones, mulch and other materials.

•Using water-wise garden techniques to reduce the water usage in garden maintenance.

•Energy –efficient design used when selecting and placing shade trees and shrubary.

•The use of permeable paving materials that help reduce storm-water runoff and allow the rainwater to infiltrate into the ground and replenish groundwater.

•Create rain gardens and green roofs to reduce storm-water runoff.

•Use reclaimed wood, composite wood, and/or sustainably harvested wood for decking and other wood accents in outdoor spaces.

Should You Jump In?

Contact a local sustainable landscaper to assess what you can do in your yard. You might want to overhaul the entire existing lawn and garden. It may be that starting with a few ideas is the best option for you. An expert will be able to conduct a sustainability audit to help you understand how you should proceed.

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3 of 7 comments

Valerie on Mar 15, 2016
Its amazing that the challenges that you face are exactly the same as those in South Africa! I have a mainly indigenous garden, a solar geyser, and multiple rainwater tanks. I have also planted quite a number of indigenous trees in what was otherwise a barren landscape. Thanks for a great post, and beautiful photographs.

4 Reply
Grandma D on Mar 09, 2023

Enjoyed this article. Since I live in a housing development, my uphill neighbors' rain runoff runs through my yard bringing with it the yard chemicals they use for their yards, though I use none on my yard. Any ideas for how to protect my sustainable landscaping from the chemicals in their runoff? Thank you.

9 Reply
- Hsb58593628 on Aug 08, 2023
  
  Think about re-routing your neighbor’s treated runoff with a French drain.
  
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