How "green" is your garden?
We’re always looking for the simple, daily ways we can do our part to conserve our planet.
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Ironically, it’s when we’re out working in our gardens -- thinking we’re being all green -- that we’re often using way too much water, tossing dangerous chemicals around, and generally negating what we’d hoped to accomplish when we put on that recycle logo t-shirt and gardening gloves and walked out the back door.
But worry not. As Green Living Guy tells us, there are five easy steps that can quickly transform your backyard into an environmentally conscious oasis.
Introduce Native Grasses
Native grasses have the ability to survive on finite resources, meaning these grass varieties often require less water and fertilizer than plants not found locally. Companies like Nature’s Seed offer native grass seed products tailored to homeowners.
Learn How to Compost
A great way to repurpose kitchen food waste, composting not only make your own diet more sustainable, it can serve as a replacement for chemical fertilizer and contribute to moisture-retentive soil.
Invest in Solar-Powered Outdoor Fixtures
Solar-powered water fountains are increasingly available and affordable. And adding solar-powered lighting to your backyard can store energy during the day and light up a patio for nighttime entertainment.
Start Collecting Rainwater
Water can be diverted from a roof drainpipe into a rain barrel and saved to water gardens. And Bioswales, linear ditches, are designed to redirect water to where it’s needed. The ditches can also be used to funnel rainwater into specific areas of a yard or garden.
Practice Responsible Pool Maintenance
High-minded environmentalists might shy away from building a pool anyway. But if you feel it’s essential (we’re looking at you Texas, Florida, and California), there are smart ways to do it.
Switch to an energy-efficient pool pump, or run a pool pump for fewer hours. And rolling a solar cover over your pool warms it with the sun’s heat, and can keep water from evaporating too quickly.
So to summarize -- plant native grasses, collect rainwater, and engage in responsible pool maintenance. And keep recycling!
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