Creating a backyard that’s enjoyable for you and friendly to the Earth is easier than you think. From pollinator gardens to organic mulching to smart watering, taking an environmentally sound approach to landscaping helps to promote a green yard – and a greener world. Following, some simple tips to try:
Choose Native Plants
Populate your yard with plants native to Western North Carolina and you’ll be providing habitat for many beneficial local animals and insects. In addition, native plants are already acclimated to the region’s climate, and are naturally resistant to local pests and disease. All of this means they don’t require fertilizers or extra watering, which makes them eco-friendly. Native trees and plants to try in your Asheville yard include southern magnolia, flowering dogwood, redbud, cardinal flower, oakleaf hydrangea and foamflower –the list goes on and on. Visit local farmers’ markets, local plant vendors, or the Botanical Gardens at Asheville to get an idea of which native plants will work for your yard.
Plant Pollinator Gardens
Pollinator gardens – with specific nectar- and pollen-producing plants – are designed to attract beneficial insects and animals to pollinate, thus performing an important step in the food and flower cycle. Because pollinator habitat has been lost to urban development, pollution, climate change and other adverse action, the population of many pollinator species is at risk. Flowers with large “landing pads,” plants with many small flowers, and plants that bloom very early or very late (when attractive pollination options are scarce) are all good options for your pollinator garden.
Use Plenty of Mulch
Using mulch helps to keep soil temperature consistent, retain moisture, and inhibit weed growth. As organic mulch like wood chips, bark leaves and pine needles breaks down, it adds nutrients to the soil. Bonus: Using more mulch means you can get away with growing less grass, which requires a lot of water to maintain.
Dumping large amounts of chemicals onto your lawn via popular “weed and feed” products could put the environment, your health, and eventually the condition of your lawn at risk. A better option is to use organic fertilizer or, better yet, eliminate fertilizer and instead use compost and organic matter in your soil, aerate, cut grass on a higher setting, and incorporate low-maintenance moss and groundcover into your landscape.
There are many ways to water smart and still keep your yard happy. Harvesting rainwater via a rain barrel, cistern or rain chain means you’ll be using much less household water. When you water, make sure to do it in the morning before the temperatures start to climb and threaten the moisture. If you water in the late afternoon, make sure foliage has time to dry to avoid fungal diseases that thrive in damp nights. Water plants near the base rather than overhead, to better target the roots.
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