By now, most of us are aware that chemical lawn treatments are bad for our health and for the environment. But the importance of sustainable landscaping goes deeper than what we apply to our shrubs, gardens, and lawn. What you see when you look out your windows is as much a part of your home as your paint colors or the art hanging on your walls.
Looking out over your peaceful garden makes working at the kitchen sink a much more pleasant experience, doesn’t it? Enjoying the view gets even better when you’re admiring a garden that gives back to the land around it. So even though it’s winter, it’s not too soon to formulate a sustainable gardening plan for next Spring.
What Is A Sustainable Garden?
Sustainability applies to more than just organic food gardens. It includes all the green areas around your home – from landscaping, green spaces, walkways, to hillsides. To be considered sustainable, landscaping must be a value-engineered environment that:
- Maximizes the land and minimizes the impact on the environment
- Adds value to the property and enhances the lifestyle of the owner
- Provides a habitat for native birds, butterflies and other natural elements
Using Sustainable Landscaping to Add Value to Your Home
Besides just a quality of life upgrade and doing your part for the environment, a sustainable landscape adds value to your home. Terry Gibson, the owner of Terry Gibson ~ Landscape Architect, Milwaukie, OR, says landscape improvements are often the largest investment a homeowner makes after purchasing the property. For the best return on investment, you need a thorough plan.
Gibson believes each project site is unique and should be considered from a holistic approach. “Beyond the conceptual design are the options to use FSC certified wood products, recycled materials, or reuse existing elements others may have thrown away.”
Besides spending less on landscape design elements, sustainable landscaping increases homeowners’ cash flow by reducing ongoing maintenance costs.
Green Landscaping With Native Plants
Native plants are a vital part of a sustainable garden because of their ability to adapt to the local climate. You can minimize outdoor water use and maintain soil integrity by using native, drought-tolerant plants. This approach is called xeriscaping. Native plants are a low-maintenance addition to your landscape. Because local birds and other animals are used to living around these plants, you’re actually helping to preserve biodiversity in your area.
Native plants also grow well in groups. They only need to be watered during establishment, and they’re extremely adaptable to local conditions and to local pests.
Another sustainable gardening option to consider is edible landscaping. Blueberry shrubs, strawberry plants, and fruit trees not only provide a free, healthy snack. They’re another beautiful reason to maintain your yard just the way Mother Nature made it.
What To Avoid When Planning Your Sustainable Landscaping
Resist the temptation to choose a cookie-cutter garden project. Ultimately, these plans usually end up putting the homeowner in an adversarial relationship with the environment because the plan requires machines, chemicals, and fertilizers to maintain.
Gibson says, “It’s crazy that a farmer or licensed applicator has to account for every ounce of fertilizer and herbicide that they buy, store, and use. But the general public can buy the same products over the counter with zero oversight. The health, safety and welfare of the people–something I have to agree in writing to protect to maintain licensure as a Landscape Architect–is negatively affected by the uncontrolled use of these petrochemicals.” Terry supports an organic-only, over-the-counter policy.
What’s Next For Green Landscaping?
As homeowners become more environmentally aware, their landscape design becomes less defined by “perfection.” Terry sees a bright future in organic and sustainable gardening, with less emphasis on the perfect grass lawn. “The high water need of lawns does not correspond with the dependence on diminishing availability and increasing cost of water. Not to mention the pollution associated with lawn maintenance. Lawns are cheap to install, but expensive to keep in terms of water use, air pollution and chemicals.”
As you plan for next spring’s landscape upgrades, consider the long-term impact and cost of upkeep. Sustainable landscaping tends to be less expensive and loweer maintenance over your many years of enjoyment.
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