With the trend of environmental consciousness gaining traction, a new breed of families is emerging - eco-conscious families. These are families who embrace environmentally-friendly practices right at home and have adopted sustainable approaches.
Among the many environmental approaches that eco-conscious families practice is the transition from traditional lawns to eco-friendly landscaping alternatives.
This includes looking at other ways to maintaining lawns and outdoor spaces. Eco-conscious families are starting to say goodbye to their lawns and hello to eco-friendly and sustainable landscaping.
The main goal of an eco-friendly landscape is to create easy to maintain gardens using native plants and incorporating features of unity and balance as well as incorporating features designed to conserve water. Eco-friendly landscapes focus on capture storm water, creating habitats that repel pests, and attract beneficial insects and animals.
What are the Benefits of Eco-Friendly Landscaping?
When we decide to adopt eco-friendly landscaping practices, we make a knowledgeable move of supporting our children's well-being and the environment they would grow in.
Eco-friendly landscaping offers many benefits for both your family and the environment.
Here are some of the advantages that eco-conscious families can reap from eco-friendly landscaping:
Water Conservation
One of the most significant benefits of eco-friendly landscaping is water conservation.
Traditional lawns abound with turf grasses that seep in lots of water. The USGA sponsored research that estimates turf grass is the largest irrigated U.S. crop, occupying about 31 million acres all over the country.
By replacing turf grass with drought-resistant plants, the need to water your lawn would be minimized, thereby, conserving water. This is especially beneficial in areas that suffer from water shortages from time to time.
In an EPA water conservation study, it was found out that outdoor water usage amounts to about 30% of the overall usage of residential establishments. Although outdoor water usage includes car washing, pools, and cleaning, the primary factor in this value is turf and landscape irrigation.
In a world where water scarcity is becoming an increasingly important issue, eco-friendly landscaping can significantly reduce water consumption. And we will be doing our part in contributing to water conservation and a more sustainable future.
Creates a Habitat for Many Beneficial Insects and Animals
By turning your turf grass lawn into an eco-friendly landscape, you help create a natural habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators. A diverse ecosystem would encourage these animals to thrive and promote biodiversity right in your home.
Eco-friendly landscapes attract a diverse array of beneficial insects, birds, and animals that play crucial roles in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. By cultivating a variety of plants, we help save them from extinction.
Reduces Labor Costs
Maintaining a traditional lawn can be labor-intensive and time-consuming. Most turf grass lawns require regular mowing, watering, and weed removal.
The necessary upkeeping and maintenance require labor and time. A study on lawn care and gardening activities in the US noted that, in 2017, the average amount people spend is about $503.00.
On the other hand, eco-friendly landscapes require less maintenance. When you have native plants and succulents, you'll spend less time mowing and weeding, as these plants can thrive on their own and do not require much human intervention. This not only saves us time but also reduces the need for costly landscaping services.
Improves Soil Health
Organic gardening practices enhance soil health. At the same time, native plants improve soil structure and prevent erosion.
Leaves and branches falling from your plants can be used as mulch and compost that would enrich the soil with nutrients.
Additionally, plants in an eco-friendly landscape do not require pesticides and fertilizers that could destroy the balance of nutrients in the soil. These chemicals can likewise pollute not only the soil but also can seep in to water sources, causing pollution therein too.
Provides Food on the Table
Eco-conscious families also love incorporating vegetable and herbs gardening into their yards. These plants provide them with fresh vegetables, herbs, and other homegrown produce.
Besides the from-garden-to-table benefit, adding a vegetable and herb garden can reduce your carbon footprint and there would be less of a need to go to supermarkets and grocery stores to buy fresh produce.
Also when you have more produce than you can use, sharing them with neighbors and friends would be much appreciated. Or sell them at local farmer's market to earn a few bucks on the side.
Reduces Air, Water, and Soil Pollution
Most lawn care requires the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. However, the eco-conscious landscape does not need harmful pollutants that end up in the air, water, and soil. This not only protects your immediate environment but also contributes to broader efforts in reducing pollution. This not only benefits your immediate surroundings but also contributes to a healthier planet.
The maintenance of traditional lawns requires the use of gas-powered lawn mowers and leaf blowers for their upkeep. The use of these equipment is being banned from many states in the US as they are seen to contribute to air pollution. In fact, According to California Air Resources Board (CARB),using a commercial lawn mower for an hour is said to emit pollution equivalent to driving for about 300 miles and operating a leaf blower for an hour would be equal to driving for about 1100 miles.
Ways to Support Sustainable Landscaping
Here are some of the practical ways to support your journey to sustainable and eco-friendly landscaping.
Xeriscaping
In the world of landscaping, many sustainable homeowners, gardeners, and landscapers are choosing Xeriscaping.
Xeriscaping is a landscaping practice with the aim of conserving water usage. This approach emphasizes water efficiency by using drought-tolerant and slow-growing plants. By choosing these plants, you create an aesthetically pleasing landscape that requires minimal irrigation.
If you are living in dry regions, Xeriscape landscaping would be a great choice when upgrading your lawn.
Mulching and Composting
Mulching helps retain soil moisture, suppress weed growth, and regulates soil temperature.
Composting, on the other hand, transforms kitchen wastes and yard trash into nutrient-rich organic matter. This organic matter provides a natural fertilizes your plants.
Together, these practices improve soil health and prevent pollution by reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizers. Both practices are essential to fostering a thriving eco-friendly garden.
Conserving Water
Water conservation is one of the foundations of eco-friendly landscaping.
Collecting rainwater for future use, installing a drip irrigation system, and choosing drought-resistant plants can all contribute to conserving water usage. In turn, it results to significant water bill savings.
Avoiding Pesticides, Herbicides, and Fertilizers
Saying goodbye to your lawn and embracing eco-friendly landscaping equal to saying no to the use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides that could eliminate the natural nutrients in the soil and cause pollution.
When necessary, for pest control, choose natural and organic products like homemade sprays made of neem oil. Additionally, planting herbs in your landscape can repel harmful pests and insect. Lemongrass, rosemary, and basil are just among the known insect-repellant plants that are better substitutes to using chemicals.
Conclusion
Eco-conscious families recognize the importance of embracing choices and practices that would impact themselves, their children, and the environment. They focus on making environmentally sustainable decisions, knowing that these will benefit their children and future generations.
For eco-conscious families, environmental responsibility starts at home. Saying goodbye to traditional lawns and embracing eco-friendly landscaping can be a significant step toward a more sustainable lifestyle.
By creating an Eco-Friendly Landscape, you contribute to a healthier ecosystem and environment. At the same time, you serve as an example and inspire others to embrace the same practices.
One by one, lawn by lawn, let us create a cleaner, healthier, and greener environment for our children and generations yet unborn.