Given the enormous environmental issues that now threaten our globe, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and question how anything you do in your garden can possibly make a difference. It's simpler than you may imagine learning how to design an eco-friendly garden; just a few little adjustments can have a significant influence on how environmentally friendly your garden is.
Follow these tips to make your backyard more eco-friendly if you are interested in playing your part in making the Earth a more sustainable place.
1. Pick local plants
Look for local flora while selecting plants and trees for your yard. Native trees and plants are adapted to the local climate and rainfall patterns, and they also serve as habitats and attract birds, butterflies, and other useful local species. Because they are inherently resistant to local pests and diseases, native plants require relatively little maintenance once they are set. They are easy to maintain, cost-effective, and ecologically beneficial because they don't require additional watering, herbicides, or fertilisers.
2. Use composite decking
Composite decking is comparatively more environmentally friendly than wood or timber decking, given that it’s more adaptable to outdoor spaces. Some traditionalists are hesitant to use composite decking because they wonder how it will hold up against the wood. However, the reality is that it requires far less upkeep, is more durable, and requires less effort to instal, all while maintaining authenticity and being environmentally friendly. Its routine care involves no oiling, staining, sealing, or sanding, which means less effort and expense for you and less use of resources and chemicals for the environment. Additionally resistant to mould development on your deck are composite materials.
3. Maintain high and dry grass.
Mow more regularly and leave the grass longer when you mow (no more than a third of the entire blade length should be removed at one time). Your lawn will be healthier and hold more water. Keep your grass cuttings in the yard as well. Clippings from your lawn will keep it wet and healthy since they are 75–85% water and rich in nitrogen. You may put the grass clippings in your new compost bin if you truly can't stand to leave them on the lawn.
4. Start composting
In addition to producing natural, free fertiliser, composting helps us create less waste. A place that is warm and partially sunny as well as some dirt is all you need to start generating your compost. You can quickly add a compost container if you want to keep your compost pile hidden. Add a variety of home and garden debris, such as cardboard, weeds, newspapers, eggshells, fruit and vegetable scraps, and wood shavings to the space you have chosen. Within six to nine months, you will have rich, nutrient-rich compost that is ready for use in your garden thanks to this mixture, which will provide compost-making bugs with the ideal habitat.
5. Harvest rainwater
One of the simplest methods to spruce up your landscaping is to collect rainwater. Harvested rainwater is used to irrigate gardens, plants, and flowers, drastically lowering the quantity of water consumed by outdoor residential fixtures. Additionally, it collects rainwater runoff from gutters and rooftops to keep contaminants out of our water supply. Using a rainwater collecting system will significantly reduce your water footprint, whether you decide to utilise rain barrels, cisterns, or rain chains.
6. Plant rain gardens
Rain gardens are beautiful landscaping features that absorb and filter rainfall. They are planted especially where rainwater naturally pools. They can absorb a lot of precipitation and filter out pollutants by using native, flood-resistant plants and loosely packed, deep soils. Furthermore, rain gardens provide economical, low-maintenance, and visually pleasing landscaping while reducing the surface area of your grass.
Natural, economical backyards are easy to maintain after initial installation and protect the environment while saving money. If you use these eco-friendly backyard tips, you'll soon have a lovely backyard that takes minimal upkeep, giving you time to unwind in your hammock and the satisfaction of contributing to a greener world.