Eco-friendly (sustainable) landscaping
Due to climate change concerns, eco-friendly and sustainable landscape projects have been gaining popularity. You can contribute to this “green movement” by reducing your carbon footprint and becoming eco-conscious.
1. Plant native plants to reduce the need for pesticides. Native plants have naturally grown, adapted, and thrived in a specific region for a long time. Because these plants are tough (hardy), they have adapted to native pests and don’t need pesticides. Native plants also support beneficial insects.
2. Make a compost pile to make mulch or soil amendment. Avoid throwing away food and garden waste by making a compost pile. Watch everything break down naturally over the next few months and turn into rich soil or mulch.
3. Collect water with rain barrels. Catch rainwater from your gutters. This is an efficient way to collect rainwater for later use to water the lawn and the garden. Saving water will help you conserve and lower your water bills.
4. Landscape the low-carbon way. You can lower your own carbon footprint by sourcing locally and starting your own garden. You’ll reduce emissions from fuel when you don’t buy products that have been shipped across the country. Grow your own edible fruit, herbs, and veggies. Source everything locally, like your mulch, plants, and outdoor furniture.
Low-maintenance landscaping
1. Build your great xeriscape: This “less lawn” and “less water” approach is a garden that contains drought-resistant plants, stones, gravel, and sometimes boulders. This type of landscape works well in arid climates that don’t receive much rain. The low-maintenance aspect is no mowing needed and no extra time watering.
You might have to hire a landscape design professional to design a xeriscape garden. They’ll be able to help you design your vision in a “before and after” look of your yard by using the iScape app.
2. Install an automatic irrigation system. No more dragging the hose across the lawn, trying to determine how much water each plant gets and the appropriate time of day to water. A sprinkler system will save you time, money, and effort.
Functional landscaping
1. Design a “liveable outdoor space.” Encourage outdoor activities where you can engage with nature. Adding a patio (hardscaping) with a water feature, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, etc. can blur the lines between nature and hardscape. Add container plants with vibrant colors, scents, and textures to accentuate nature further on the hardscape surface.
2. Add a fence. Fences do make great neighbors, but they also create a vertical element and establish a sense of security. Adding a fence to your landscape design also defines a space.
Maybe these 8 hot landscaping trends sparked some ideas for what you’d like to do in your yard. If so, download iScape now and transform your outdoor landscape. Now available on the Google Play Store!
Harley Grandone is a writer and landscape designer. After 20+ years of being a landscape designer, she’s delighted to be able to combine her love of writing with her love of the industry. When not writing, she spends her free time on her sailboat, learning affiliate marketing, and having fun with her family in the Philadelphia suburbs.
