Pro Tips to Get Started with Sustainable Landscaping
Do you want a more sustainable landscape or wonder what that means? Sustainable landscaping is the practice of using various strategies to create an environmentally friendly outdoor space suitable for your region. It doesn't mean you have to stick to dry gardens of gravel and cactus. There are plenty of ways to have a beautiful yard in San Diego that's also sustainable.
Read on to learn the benefits of transforming your landscape and 7 tips and tricks for maintaining it sustainably.
Why have a sustainable landscape?
Before learning the tips for a sustainable landscape, you might be wondering what are the benefits? A sustainable landscape allows you to actively contribute to the development of healthy communities and habitats. You will help improve soil conditions, improve water and air quality, and attract local bees and butterflies.
It also saves you money! When done right, sustainable landscaping helps you save on water bills and long-term maintenance costs. Southern California also offers various rebate programs for sustainable landscaping. For example, the Turf Replacement Program provides rebates of a certain amount of dollars per square foot of converted yard that follows their eligibility requirements.
1. Add Climate-Appropriate Plants
While San Diego is generally a Mediterranean climate, different regions in the county have different "microclimates" with varying available water, soil type, and wind exposure. Consulting with a professional about your specific region can help you better plan your landscape with plants that can thrive.
For example, here are drought-tolerant plants (besides cactus and succulents) that are ideal for the San Diego climate:
Texas sundrops
Goodding's verbena
Chaste tree
Arroyo lupine
Desert bluebells
Bush anemone
2. Group Your Plants by Water Needs
Different plants require different amounts of water. When you design your landscape, group plants with similar water needs together so you can make your watering schedule easier and save water in the long run. No more overwatering some plants in the attempt to revive others!
3. Use Alternative Ground Covers
Lawn grass can require a lot of watering and maintenance costs. Reduce the amount of lawn in your landscaping by using alternative ground covers that are more environmentally friendly. Examples of great groundcovers for San Diego include:
Gold Coin Plant
Creeping Manzanita
Dwarf Mat Rush
Blue Chalksticks
Silver Carpet
Wooly Thyme
4. Consider Installing Synthetic Turf
If you still want a large outdoor lawn area, consider synthetic or artificial turf as an alternative. There are even brands made of recycled materials! Synthetic turf is easy to maintain and positively supports the environment because it:
Saves water since you don't need to water it
Lowers carbon emissions because you don't have to mow it
Eliminates the need for any toxic pesticides or fertilizers
5. Apply Compost and Mulch
Compost helps enhance your soil by adding organic matter and improving the soil texture, giving your plants more nutrients and water. This prevents you from having to use too many chemical fertilizers. Mulch also helps improve soil conditions as well as:
Insulates plant roots
Reduces weeds
Controls erosion
Manages mud problems
6. Prevent Run-Off and Erosion
Besides mulching and composting, you can also construct retaining walls that allow drainage behind them to prevent run-off and erosion. This maintains the soil condition and helps keep debris and soil out of the storm-water systems.
If you have a slope or hillside on your property, specific measures are also required to prevent erosion and landslides. Ask a professional for tips on the best plants for erosion control in your area.
7. Install Water-Smart Irrigation Systems
Wasting water and irrigation doesn’t have to come hand-in-hand. Double-check if your irrigation systems need updating, especially to prevent water leaks. Installing weather-based irrigation controllers can also help reduce water use outdoors by adjusting watering times based on the weather and other data, such as plant types.
At Right Way, we partner with government agencies and property managers to design and install your ideal yard. We also have expertise in drought-tolerant landscapes. Contact us today to request your free job walk and estimate.
