10 things to consider for sustainable landscaping

 Sustainable Landscapes is the process of working with the environment where you design landscapes that is in tune with the weather conditions

 It requires minimal additional resources such as organic fertilizer and water.

There are many different levels of sustainable landscaping, the best way to get involved is to just start somewhere by setting short and long term goals.

A modest aim could be having the compost bin.

A lifelong objective could be creating a sustainable garden that includes choosing earth friendly shrubs and healthy soils.

 Here are 10 tips to create a more sustainable landscapings Calgary design on your piece of paradise:

1. Compress your yard -  Large areas of your open turf takes a big lot of your soil products.   Eliminate some of your lawn and create a more natural landscape.   You’ll save on fresh water and this ultimately save you money on water bills.  Also you don’t need to mow a lot.

2. Collect some rain water -  Harvesting rain water in barrels helps to conserve water and save money.   Usually rain water is pure and of good quality.   You can use it to water your garden, your houseplants or even wash your hair with it.

3. Use Mulch -  Ground covers like mulch, boosts your garden features.  But more than importantly, mulch protects the plants’ root systems and adds nutrients to the soil.   Mulch slows soil erosion, retains moisture and helps to prevent weeds.   You’ll spend less time weeding and watering your garden and more time enjoying it.

4. Compost, Compost, Compost  -  Composting organic waste from your home improves garden soil because it generates humus.  By composting you minimize your garbage wastes, thus lessening the greenhouse gases.   You get extra savings from saved expenses in fertilizer solutions as well.

5. Opt for native shrubs -  Native plants are better able to withstand drought conditions and poor soil.  They resist unwanted plan diseases thus minimizing the need for harmful pesticides.

6. Attract Pollinators to Your Yard -  By growing a variety of plants you increase the number of different wildlife species that are attracted to your garden.   Bumble bees, wasps and hummingbirds provides an active ecological community by moving the pollen from one plant to the other.

7. Plant Deciduous Trees -  Planting deciduous shade trees near your house will help cut your air conditioning bills in summer.   In autumn deciduous plant trees lose their leaves which allows sunny breeze in your home reducing your high costs in heating.  But, trees deliver more than cost savings; they are important carbon sinks and help to reduce global climate change.

8. Consider edible plants -  Aside from beautifying your garden, it would be great if you can have edible shrubs in them.   For example, runner beans, ruby chard, globe artichokes, nasturtiums and garlic chives blend happily with purely ornamental plants.

9. Choose natural resources -  You can consider using recyclable concrete, reusable bricks and natural stones in your landscape designs rather than those exotic fuselage.

10. Find other options in power tools -  You can use a push reel mower rather than a power mower.  You can use a scythe or a pair of hand shears instead of a weed eater.  Instead of a gas blower for leaves, use a rake or broom, or better still allow leaves to remain in place to decompose and add nutrients to the soil.

Better yet, create a homestead instead of the common lawn for your Koi ponds .

I have been involved with Sustainable Calgary Landscaping in Calgary, Alberta Canada for a long time. These Tips have been implimented with my company for over 8 years.  We have had alot of fun Landscaping in Calgary over the years. What we do will work almost anywhere in the world to create sustainable landscapes.

Remember, just because I use this with Landscaping Calgary, doesn’t mean it won’t work in your local area. Now get out there and try things out!

Written by: Custom Stone and Waterscapes ‎3829 Parkhill Place SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2W6 (403) 870-1142