In terms of the environment, not all gardens are created equal. If you’re considering a home landscaping project, you may want to evaluate the environmental impact of your choices.

From water-hungry plants in dry climates to excessive use of pesticides, ironically, some landscapes are anything but “green.” Fortunately, it’s easy to create an eco-friendly landscape for your home by taking just a few simple steps.

The Benefits of Eco-friendly Landscaping

There are a number of benefits to taking an environmentally friendly approach to landscape design, such as:

• Cost savings, in the form of reduced maintenance and less need for pesticides
• Energy savings, in the form of lower heating and cooling bills for your home.
• Less personal exposure to pesticides and other pollutants.
• Lower presence of non-native and invasive plant species.
• Reduced water usage.
• Reduced amounts of yard waste.

Creating a “Green” Landscape

Depending on where you live and your approach to landscaping, there are a number of ways to mitigate the environmental impact of your yard. Ideas include:

• Opting for native plants. Choosing native plants over non-native species makes your yard a continuous part of the local environment, and can also benefit area wildlife. Avoiding invasive species also helps promote biodiversity.
• Protecting existing natural landscapes. If you have a natural stream, wooded area or wetland on your property, consider maintaining it “as-is.”
• Reducing the amount of yard that is covered by turf. Keeping a lawn looking fresh and healthy often requires a lot of water and frequent application of fertilizer and pesticides. You can make your yard more eco-friendly by reducing the amount of lawn you have or opting for a variety of grass that is better suited to your climate.
• Planting strategically to reduce energy costs. A row of trees along the south side of your home can help keep your home cool in the summer, while a windbreak can block winter winds and lower heating bills.
• Watering less frequently. Many problems with plants can be traced back to overwatering. Avoid watering during the middle of the day, especially during the summer, and use techniques such as drip irrigation to make your watering more efficient.
• Xeriscaping. Xeriscaping is a particular approach to landscape design that encourages the use of drought-tolerant plants that need little supplemental water. This approach to landscaping is particularly well suited to desert areas or places that experience frequent droughts.

Eco-Friendly Landscaping: Other Steps to Take

There are a number of other steps you can take to reduce the environmental impact of your landscape, including:

• Avoiding the use of pesticides.
• Choosing natural or organic fertilizers.
• Composting and mulching yard waste, rather than throwing it away.
• Limiting the use of lawn care equipment (such as riding mowers) that runs on gasoline.

By taking a few steps to make to make your home landscape more eco-friendly, you can ensure that your yard is beneficial to the environment, rather than harmful.