Best Going Green With Landscaping

First, choose plants that will need a minimum of care for your climate and soil. Plants that are native to your area are usually the best choice.

Non-native plants might work, too, as long as they are not an invasive species that can spread and take over. If they are, they can choke out native plants and starve local wildlife.

Think about how much long-term care and watering any plants will need, and put plants in the right place to reduce maintenance costs. Even in rainy climates, people need to be aware of outdoor water use and conservation, since seasonal irregularities and dry spells can strike at any time.

Rain barrels are an effective and increasingly popular option for conserving rainwater, as are in-ground cisterns. Homes that are newly constructed or undergoing renovation can benefit from installing systems that capture and reuse water from sinks, showers and laundry for outdoor irrigation.

Irrigation technology has evolved significantly in recent years. Drip irrigation systems and low-emitting sprinkler heads also help to conserve water.

Installing a water feature like a birdbath or a swimming pool is a favorite way to make an outdoor space much more inviting. Without thoughtful planning, however, these amenities can turn into an ugly, expensive mosquito attractor.

Consider the impact your fountain or pool will have on your overall water and energy use. You can go green by installing energy-saving pumps, lighting and other items.

Some also also favor a saline pool that eliminates the need for chemicals like chlorine. There is also the option of a modern swimming pond that stays clear and clean through natural biological processes.

Grass lawns in America take in an estimated 8 million gallons of water every day. When you consider fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and lawn mower gasoline, oil and pollution, you can see why some environmentalists call turf lawns a massive eco-disaster.

Minimize your use of sod grasses by expanding your mulched areas, garden spaces and natural, unmaintained wooded spaces. No-mow and low-mow lawns are another increasingly popular option, as are artificial grass lawns.

In semi-arid and arid regions, the use of xeriscape landscaping techniques is becoming popular. This method reduces water use and maintenance needs.

Hardscaping refers to the non-planted areas of your outdoor space like decks, patios, and walkways. Expanding your hardscape can reduce water use, and smart materials like decomposed granite or recycled glass are permeable.

These recycled materials let water soak back into the ground. Composite decking material, for example, is often made of recycled material and reduces use of trees in construction.

Many people use their outdoor space as an extra room, complete with weather-resistant lighting, furniture and accessories. In outdoor spaces, you should use reclaimed or recycled materials whenever possible, choose local goods over imports, and avoid the use of petroleum-based or toxic materials and finishes.

Green roofs not only provide a sunny garden area, when designed and built correctly they can also provide some thermal insulation from the sun's heat and winter's cold. Lawns and gardens all need special care, but Americans use millions of pounds of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer on lawns and gardens each year.

Many of these are petroleum-based compounds have been linked to a host of environmental and human health problems. A healthier and greener alternative is called compost, which comes right out of your kitchen.

Mulch is also an all-natural material that feeds nutrients into the soil. While doing to, it stabilizes soil temperatures, keeps soil moist, and discourages weed growth.

In addition, pests can be controlled with smart, safe integrated pest management techniques. Solar lighting frees you from the electric grid and the need to dig trenches and run wires.

Though the technology, design, and price of solar lighting have improved in recent years, solar still has a way to go before offering the brightness and reliability of standard lighting.

If you choose electric lighting, find energy-saving LED lights that use a fraction of the electricity of regular incandescent lamps and last a lot longer.