WHAT’S SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING?
- Low-impact
- Resource-efficient
- Minimally polluting
- Stable over time
- In harmony with local environment
- Reduction of inputs and output
INPUTS
BUILDING MATERIALS
- Re-use materials (RR Ties, broken concrete)
- Use recycled materials (plastic lumber)
- Use renewable resources
- Use less of everything
- Ask where things come from
- SIMPLIFY!
WATER
- Use water-efficient plants
- Use natives & Mediterranean spp.
- Plant less densely
- Reduce lawn areas
- Use organic material
- Use drip irrigation
- Mulch the soil
- Grade site to conserve rainfall
- Manage water
FERTILIZER
- Use plants that don’t need feeding
- Use organic or slow-release fertilizers
- Fertilize less often
- Use less fertilizer
- Compost!
- Grasscycle!
PESTICIDES
- Use plants that are pest-resistant
- Provide proper growing conditions
- Allow some pests to remain
- Use Integrated Pest Management
- Use least-toxic pesticides
- Get rid of sickly plants
HERBICIDES
- Avoid low-growing plants
- Use mulch to keep weeds down
- Hand-pull weeds when young
- Don’t allow weeds to set seed
- Use a drip system
FOSSIL FUELS
- Plant right-sized plants
- Don’t over-fertilize
- Don’t over-water
- Use hand tools, not power tools
TIME
- Design your garden right!
- Plant right-sized plants
- Mulch
- Use an irrigation system
MONEY
- All of the above
OUTPUTS
GREENWASTE
- Plant right-sized plants
- Allow plants to grow naturally
- Reduce lawn areas
- Grasscycle
- Fertilize less
- Water less
- Compost greenwaste & return to garden
- Use chips for mulch
- Allow leaf litter to remain in place
POLLUTED RUNOFF
- Fertilize less
- Use fewer chemicals
- Grade site to retain water
AIR POLLUTION
- Don’t use power tools
- Avoid hauling things in & out
- Use fewer chemicals
NOISE POLLUTION
- Don’t use power tools
- Reduce greenwaste
OTHER BENEFITS OF LANDSCAPING
- Reduces heating & cooling needs
- Provides windbreaks
- Prevents erosion
- Produces oxygen
- Absorbs air pollution
- Reduces fire hazards
- Provides wildlife habitat
- Provides exercise & recreation
- Provides beauty