For New Orleans homeowners, eco-friendly landscaping quickly summited to the top of project goals. With news surrounding climate change, taking an environmentally conscious approach seems like the right course of action.
Plus, homeowners tend to save on their utility bills with energy-conservative strategies. From native plants to consistent composting, homeowners have numerous routes for going green around their home’s exterior.
Choose Native and Appropriate Plants for Eco-Friendly Landscaping
As an entry point to eco-friendly landscaping, consider native plants over imported greenery. Embodying your environment’s natural habitat tends to lower your lawn’s impact on the environment. First, natural plants derive in the local ecosystem, meaning they’re accustomed to the region’s typical sunlight and rainfall. Furthermore, natural plants encourage the area’s wildlife (birds, butterflies, etc.).
Second, native plant species require less maintenance in the form of pesticides, pruning, and fertilizers. Due to growing up in the local area, the conditions are normalized to them. Additionally, native greenery usually runs cheaper because of their local abundance.
Opt for Eco-Friendly Landscaping Repellants Over Harsh Chemicals
While it may be tempting to purchase cheaper chemicals, they often create a harsh environment on local landscaping. Moreover, everyday chemicals and fertilizers in your landscaping generate harmful effects not only on your own lawn, but also everyone around you. As seasonal precipitation and wind push materials around, those chemicals wash away into local rivers, lakes, and the ocean.
Instead, consider more natural pest repellants for a sound eco-friendly landscaping strategy. Generally, natural repellants don’t ward off ‘good’ bugs (ladybugs, for example). In addition, strategically pest-resistant plants (marigolds, petunias, and some herbs).
Compost and Reuse Materials for Eco-Friendly Landscaping
Reusing materials, equipment, decorations, and other items from previous landscaping projects is not only good for the planet, but also good for saving money on buying new décor and plants. This includes stones, tools, pots, tables, plants, and anything else that helps to cut down on waste.
One very environmentally-friendly way to reuse is by composting. For the unacquainted, composting takes decaying materials and recycles it back into your garden. Overall, composting involves household waste like fruits, veggies, eggshells, papers, wood shavings, weeds, cardboard, and other degradable wastes. Next, homeowners mix them into a useful, nutritious soil for use in landscaping.
Generally, composting just requires some soil and a lot of sun (not in short supply in Louisiana!) Through consistent composting, homeowners receive access to free and green fertilizer for eco-friendly landscaping projects.
Pick Environmentally Friendly Landscaping Materials
The right landscaping materials make or break a project. For eco-friendly landscaping, selecting the appropriate supply of soil, rocks, and mulch is a big decision for every project. Notably, these materials also hold heavy weight over how a project’s aesthetic design turns out.
For example, mulch is always a good, eco-friendly option. With mulch, weeds face a harder time spreading. Also worth noting, this scales back weeds’ ability to take over valued plants. Lastly, mulch helps yard landscaping to maintain root temperature, hold water better, and decompose naturally without leaving any harmful chemicals.
Save on Energy Bills Through Efficient Water Consumption
Water is the lifeblood of all landscaping. It keeps plants healthy and green. More so, water helps add flair to an outdoor space with water features. and it can wreak havoc when improperly managed. Accounting for flooding and runoff in your designs keeps your landscaping looking pristine for longer. Efficient water usage is the bedrock of eco-friendly landscaping initiatives.
Aside from using the property’s built-in water source, store rainwater for future use. Planting drought-resistant greenery also helps to mitigate water consumption. On the other end of the spectrum, scaling back water usage during the wet seasons also lowers the recurring utility bills.
Go Green in 2023 with Bella Sand and Rocks of New Orleans
With eco-friendly landscaping, homeowners have numerous considerations. That said, taking the proper time to establish a planting and maintenance routine not only saves money on energy bills, it creates a net positive effect for the local ecosystem.
With native plants, organic compost, and friendly mulch ingredients, homeowners can create the perfect design while still going green in 2023. To start your landscaping project, explore the Bella Sand and Rocks of New Orleans online store!
