Sustainable Landscaping Ideas

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Sustainable landscaping isn’t just a buzzword,  it’s a way of incorporating sustainable practices  and designs into  your landscape.

Here are a few ideas to consider if you’re looking to have a sustainable landscape.

Dealing with  the rain

In general, rain is good for the yard. It provides all the plants and grass with the needed water for growth.

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Here is how to deal with the  rain sustainably:

1. Rain Gardens - they filter and slow down rainwater pouring off roofs, across lawns, and paving your landscape.

2. Rain Harvesting Tanks & Systems  - rain collection tanks are great for capturing water from rooftops and storing it for use either for a water feature or irrigation.

PERMEABLE PAVING

Permeable paving is a sustainable landscaping option because it allows rainwater to permeate through the surface, reducing the amount of runoff that enters storm sewers and ultimately reducing the risk of flooding.

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Here are some benefits of permeable paving:

1. Rain Intake - Some systems can take up to 11 inches of rainwater per hour.

2. Provide Aquifiers - They can help recharge groundwater aquifers.

3. Improves Ecosystem - They allow vegetation to grow through the surface,  which helps to improve  the overall health of the  ecosystem nearby.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTS

When creating a sustainable landscape, it is important to choose plants that  are well-suited to the local climate and soil conditions. It’s also important to use plants that are not invasive and do not displace native species.

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Some good options to consider include the following.

1. Trees Such As Oak And Maple - for providing shade and habitat for wildlife

2. Berry Bushes And Fruit Trees - for providing food for wildlife  and humans

3. Grasses And Wildflowers for improving air quality and reducing erosion

4. Succulents And Cacti for their drought-tolerance and low maintenance

5. Rain Gardens Or Swales which can help to capture and filter stormwater runoff

Hardscaping with eco-friendly or local materials

Part of sustainability is using  high-quality local suppliers for products for your landscape.  Local means less shipping-related costs to you and our environment. Aside from this, you’ll want to look  for materials that are either built to  last or if they do break down, they won’t negatively affect the soil  or environment.

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LED lighting

LED lighting provides ambient lighting at a 75% reduction in energy use for longer, compared to conventional low voltage halogen bulbs. LED landscape lighting is the ultimate sustainable solution – attractive, cost-effective with little or  no maintenance all while utilizing  little energy!

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Eichenlaub can help you with your landscaping needs. We have the trained and certified personnel, experience, knowledge, and equipment to cultivate a thriving environment on your property. If you are looking at getting any of the previous solution installed, we'd be happy to turn your environmentally friendly vision into reality. The right tools in the right hands is the Eichenlaub difference.