Sustainable Landscaping Tips
Choose Native Plants: The first and most impactful Sustainable landscaping tip is to plant native plants that have evolved over thousands of years to thrive in our local climate. Plants native to central Texas fill an ecological niche, support local wildlife, contribute to the overall biodiversity of the area, require less water, AND are less maintenance than their non-native alternatives. Non-native plants not only require additional maintenance but they are ecologically dead in that none of our native insects have evolved to eat them. If our insects have nothing to eat that means many of our birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals have nothing to eat, which throws off our entire ecosystem,
Water Conservation: If you incorporate native plants into your landscaping your supplemental water requirements will drop drastically. If you need additional water consider drip irrigation, rain barrels, and smart watering schedules. Make sure to use mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and reduce the need for frequent watering. Construct swales and natural ponds to trap rainwater and keep it on your property. Avoid letting water skirt across your property without slowing it down. If you’re not slowing rainwater down this often keeps you and the plants around you from enjoying the true benefits of rain: increased soil moisture.
DIY Composting: We know outdoor space is limited for many people in Austin so starting a DIY composting system can be difficult. But there’s no need to make a large or complicated composting system - a small and simple system works just as well as a large system. All you need is a 2’ x 3’ space (somewhere outside) and you can get started. Throw any organic kitchen and garden waste on that spot and let it pile up (you may or may not want to cover it depending on your threshold for looking at a pile of dirt and decomposing vegetables). Let everything break down and turn into a nice and rich compost. Use that to enrich your soil, improve water retention, and reduce the need for supplemental synthetic fertilizers.
Natural Pest Control: Embrace natural pest control methods such as companion planting, introducing beneficial insects, and using neem oil or other eco-friendly solutions. Avoid chemical pesticides that can harm beneficial insects and disrupt the ecosystem.
Reduce Lawn Area: Minimize the use of traditional non-native turf grass lawns and consider alternatives like prairies, native ground covers, or native grasses. These alternatives require less water and maintenance.
Permeable Surfaces: Use permeable materials for paths and driveways to allow rainwater to soak into the ground, reducing runoff and helping to recharge groundwater.
Energy-Efficient Lighting: Install energy-efficient outdoor lighting, such as solar-powered or LED lights. This reduces energy consumption and contributes to a more sustainable landscape design.
Diverse Ecosystems: Foster biodiversity by creating diverse ecosystems within your landscaping. Include a variety of plants that bloom at different times, providing food and habitat for pollinators and wildlife throughout the year.
Mulching: Apply organic mulch around plants to suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, and regulate soil temperature. Mulch also adds organic matter to the soil as it breaks down.
Sustainable Materials: Choose sustainable and locally sourced materials for hardscaping elements such as pathways, fences, and garden structures. This reduces the environmental impact associated with transportation and extraction of materials.
Implementing these sustainable landscaping tips not only reduces the environmental footprint of outdoor spaces but also creates a resilient and beautiful landscape that thrives with minimal ecological impact.
