There are few things better than coming home to a well-manicured yard. Well-placed shrubs, trees and flowers set off even the most modest of homes and a water feature really sets it off. Not only does it look great it is a prominent selling feature for the home and investing in a landscape job will increase the value of your home.
In the past most home homeowners would never have considered hiring a landscape contractor. The old-fashioned Victory gardens had long been covered over in lawn and the buzz of lawnmowers was the sound of a neat yard. Grass was easy to maintain. You fed it twice a year and, in the spring and summer, cut it once a week. Also, a lawn could be edged for flowers or paving stones. Landscape edging was, and still is, a great way to show off other yard features.
In recent times there has been a movement against large areas of grass because of the water, pesticides and fertilizers needed for its maintenance. Water is becoming a scarc e commodity, not only in the dry areas but also in places where it was once thought that water would run forever. In addition, pesticides and chemical fertilizers have been leeching into the water table and causing health problems. Not only do the chemicals harm or kill off good microorganisms in the soil, both on the area where it is applied and beyond as these harmful additives leech into the aquifer.
New techniques in soil enrichment, watering and vegetation placement have put the art of landscaping on the forefront for remodeling a home. Landscaping contractors are not only being consulted by large estates and commercial enterprises, in order to have a beautiful yard that does not infringe on the environment, residential owners are also making changes to their respective backyard landscaping.
Native Plants
Yew hedges and Kentucky bluegrass do not grow wild in most parts of the country so they have to be fed, watered and protected from insects. Now landscapers are looking to the countryside and stocking native species for redistribution into yards where their ancestors once grew free. The reason for this change in thinking is that many of the natural shrub varieties are used to the weather patterns so do not need watering or covering up in winter. In addition many species are either impervious to damage from local insects or have natural scents that repel them so no pesticides are needed. Finally, they will adjust to taking what nutrients they can get from the natural minerals in the ground.
Organic Fertilizers
If you want to find out how much chemical fertilizers harm the environment just go into a hardware store and walk into the garden section. The aroma is overpowering at times and many of these chemicals cause rashes and allergies. Not only are they hard on people they either kill or curtail the work of natural microorganisms that are necessary for natural composting. Organic fertilizer is cheap and easy to use. Many homeowners use last year's composted leaves and garden waste as a starter for their gardens. In addition most garden centers have dried manure that can be shoveled into bags and brought home.
Water Conservation
We waste a lot of water by using lawn sprinkler systems for hours at a time. In the summer you can walk down any street and see sprayers going during the day and much of this water is being evaporated. In many parts of the country the watering laws are being very strict and wholesale lawn watering is a thing of the past.
Drip Tube Irrigation: This system is composed of a series of perforated tubes buried below the shrubs and lawn that “weep†water. Since almost all the water gets to where it is intended the draw on the water supply is a fraction of surface watering.
Rain Water: A well-placed cistern can capture an amazing amount of water during a light rainfall. If you multiple the square footage of the roof by the amount of rain you can have a reservoir of water before you know it. The water can be piped into the drip tube system for dispersal when needed.
Gray Water: The water from a washing machine, dishwasher, shower and sinks is called “gray water.†new organic detergents have made this gray water eco-friendly and by plumbing it in to the irrigation system you can have a wealth of gardening water without turning on a freshwater tap.
Pot Gardens
For those who do not have a large area to plant flowers or vegetables large pots are a great idea. Care is minimal and a wide variety of flowers and vegetables can be grown in this way. Not only that these pots can be moved around and, when fall comes, indoors.
Gardening is an art that can provide vegetables, herbs and flowers as well as maintain a wide variety of shrubs and trees. Contact our Contractor Directory for a full consultation on how you can make your yard more eco-efficient or post your project on our site.
Posted by: TrustedProsSuggested Reading For You
9 Cheap and Trendy Landscaping Ideas
The trend for landscaping in many regions is being ecologically sustainable. Homeowners are clamoring to “do...
Landscaping Trends
Change happens very quickly in home renovations from the advent of huge, multi-room bathroom facilities to...
