Tips for Sustainable Landscaping- New York
A sustainable yard is one that supports the local ecosystem and spurns chemical intervention, can be as beautiful as it is virtuous. Your backyard is a place for entertaining, family, and fun. From rain barrels that harvest water for irrigation, to permeable paving that allows runoff to percolate into the soil, to a fence that composts garden clippings, every backyard element contributes to the landscape’s sustainability as well as its beauty and productivity. Read on to see how it all works together.
Eco-friendly, sustainable and green practices are the best way to manage your yard. From recycled notebook paper to reusable grocery bags, ecofriendliness is woven into everyday life. However, while others are still learning sustainable practices, lawn and landscape professionals often espouse tips and trends in this space because environmental stewardship is a core value for industry practioners.
Create Native Landscape Design
When utilizing plants that have historically grown naturally in an area, homeowners will immediately see the benefits. Ask your local nursery to help pick plants that conserve water, reduce invasive species and require less maintenance. (think hearty plants). Not sure where to get started? Look up your local nursery and ask for help! This is what they do and love to do.
Start Composting
Before tossing out grass clippings, leaf debris and food waste, add them to a compost pile. When composting, homeowners must expedite the process by keeping the pile moist, turning regularly and adding new material. Composting not only helps the environment by reusing material, but it also adds nutrients to garden bed soil.
Coffee cups can’t be composted because of the waxy surface. You can compost cardboard like compost sleeves. Cardboard brown paper is brown material, like dried plant matter.
What to do with soil?
Having a plan for your garden is great! If you are leaving existing soil, make sure you rotate your crops around each season to ensure nutrient rich soil, enhances soil structure, and prevents soil borne pests from getting an early footing in your garden! Use the compost! This is one of the benefits of composting, your garden will be enhanced by it! Once you get your soil prepped, put a layer of compost for added nutrients and plant away!
Sustainable gardens are where natural, environmentally friendly methods are used and implemented. Healthy soils are built with compost, mulch and organic fertilizers. Organic, Non-GMO seeds and plants are grown. It is all about using natural methods to produce clean, organic, nutrient-rich foods.
Plant a Tree (or five)
Trees are known to provide shade and comfort to your yard. While providing shade, reducing noise pollution and offering a habitat for wildlife, trees are often the backbone of childhood memories. Want to go a step further? Create a mini eco system by adding approximately 10 plants to the base of that tree and allowing life to thrive. Investing in trees and creating eco systems for a property is a smart, sustainable solution that won't break the bank.
lED LIGHTS
Get LED, timed lights for your outdoors. Outdoor lighting isn’t a splurge—it can save you from tripping on a dark pathway or fumbling to find the right key. It enhances home security, and it can even light up a party. Smart outdoor lighting takes things to another level by adding automation, remote control, and other convenience features. Don't want to deal with an electrician and that added cost? Grab some solar lights and create ambience and safety that way!
LED or Solar lights means you aren't worrying about replacing bulbs. I know you have a busy life and don't want to be constantly changing the lights. If you use LED, get that timer set so once the sun goes down you have that safety element (Solar lights will automatically turn on when the sun is down).
Upgrade your front door if you are trying to sell
Curb appeal sells houses. You will want to make sure you have a clear walkway, have cutback plants and shrubs if needed (way overgrown sends the wrong message) and take a look at your front door. Dented, paint chipped doors and overgrown yards tell the buyer the home hasn't been well maintained.
When upgrading your door think about sustainable choices. From a material standpoint, aluminum and certified wood are the best to reuse and recycle... but if you are going to be staying a while, fiberglass or wood clad steel that is filled with foam will be the best for temperature regulation.
Adding new front door, or updating your current one, will only increase curb appeal.
Looking to Buy or Sell your home in New York or Connecticut? Let me be your no bS real estate agent.
