You own a beautiful piece of land, and, understandably, you want to keep it that way. But diverse landscapes are home to various flora and fauna that need biodiverse homes to thrive and fill our planet, and not all land care efforts support that.
However, with eco-friendly landscaping practices, you can make your home an oasis for plants, animals, insects—and yourself. All while doing what’s right for the planet and saving money.
In this guide, we’ll discover the benefits of sustainable landscaping and five top ways to incorporate this practice into your life.
Why Do Eco-Friendly Landscaping Practices Matter?
Climate change—that’s the simple answer for why adopting a green mentality matters. The long answer is that eco-friendly landscaping matters because of who and what it benefits: you, your wallet, and the planet you call home. If you love the plot you picked out and want it to stay that way, going green with your landscaping and maintenance practices will be instrumental.
Some of the major benefits associated with sustainable property management practices include1:
- Enhanced biodiversity and native wildlife
- Reduced environmental pollutants
- Conserved water and energy
- Minimized care and maintenance
- Saved money
Plus, eco-conscious landscaping creates a lovely environment filled with blooming flowers, lush green plants, and native wildlife and insects.2
Ready to get started? Check out these five sustainable and earth-friendly techniques.
1. Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping or “drought-tolerant landscaping” is helpful for areas that experience dry seasons—although it can work anywhere. This practice also benefits anyone who finds it challenging to set aside time for maintenance (or to remember it in the first place).
If you use a xeriscape, you won’t need to water your plants often, as natural rain is usually plenty to keep them flourishing. To achieve drought-tolerant landscaping, consider using3:
- Permeable hardscapes like river rocks
- Drought-tolerant plants
- Sand
- Mulch
When selecting mulch, choose something organic, such as leaves, wood chips, or pine needles. These materials naturally retain moisture and deliver beneficial nutrients to your plants.
Which Plants Are Drought-Tolerant?
The best choices for your xeriscape can vary depending on whether you live in the forests around New York or the South Texas Plains. Opt for native or exotic plants that require little water, like succulents or cacti in desert-adjacent areas or something like Russian Sage if temperatures drop for part of the year.4
To start, consult the USDA’s 13 designated “Gardening Zones” to determine what might grow best in your location.5
Try to group vegetation with similar water needs close to each other in your xeriscape. This practice helps optimize watering, allowing plants to thrive and reducing the chances of weeds and water waste.6
2. Energy-Efficient Landscaping Techniques
When landscaping, strategically plant trees and shrubs to reduce the heating and cooling that any structures need throughout the year. The best methods for doing this will depend on which of the four climate zones (and microclimate) you live in7:
- Temperate
- Hot humid
- Hot arid
- Cool
Generally, the guidance is to use trees, shrubs, and other native plants to block excess sun during the warm months and wind during winter. Shade helps keep the hot sun out, keeping your home and AC units cool.
For the other half of the year, wind barriers help keep frigid winter air away, meaning you’ll require less energy to heat your home.
3. Eco-Friendly Lawns
Making your lawn eco-conscious can take several forms, from cutting back on chemical use to swapping out your grass. Runoff from fertilizers and pesticides can pollute rivers and streams and harm birds, insects, and other wildlife regardless of whether they make their home on your property.8 Use these chemical-heavy treatments sparingly, switch to organic alternatives, or stop altogether and refer to the Integrated Pest Management Principles for other options.9
Next, consider swapping the type of grass you have in your yard. Instead of traditional grass, try using alternatives called ground covers. Some popular options include10:
- Clover
- Moss
- Thyme
- Baby’s tears
- Barnyard daisy
These naturally short options require little maintenance, such as minimal mowing or chemical treatments.
4. Wildlife-Friendly Gardens
Native plants are those that have grown in your particular area for generations. They help support local wildlife populations, making them crucial to sustainable landscaping. Moreover, sticking to local flora always prevents the introduction of invasive species and ensures your property bends seamlessly into its surroundings.
If you’re unsure which vegetation grows native to your area, do research online or consult a local expert. They can help you choose native plants that promote biodiversity and acclimate well once you plant them in your yard or garden.11
Even better, native plants need less maintenance because they have already adapted to your environment. They remain prepared for hot, humid summers, rainy winters, or whatever your local seasons entail.
5. Terrace Gardens
For those with steep slopes on their properties, the perfect spot for a terraced garden is already waiting. Terraced gardens involve planting shrubs, flowers, or herbs in a sloped area.
Sure, they look beautiful—but they also offer many earth-friendly benefits. Some of the top reasons to add a terrace garden to your sustainable landscaping include12:
- Reduces soil erosion
- Less runoff entering our waterways
- Promotes water conservation
- Improves plant growth and health, which supports biodiversity
Since the garden is on a slope, rainwater naturally runs into the mulch beds, meaning you only need to water your plants during dry periods.
Build Your Sustainable Property With Land.com
Take pride in your eco-conscious property dreams with a supportive community full of resources and help from the pros at Land.com. We know the value of sustainability and keeping our planet clean—and the major impact that has if you decide to buy or sell your earthly haven.
Whether you’re searching for your next oasis or want to sell your existing property, our real estate agents are here to help. From the Montana mountains to the Carolina coasts and everywhere between, browse our listings to find your next retreat.
If you’re ready to sell your sustainably landscaped property, add a listing or contact our team about advertising.
Sources:
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Why Earth-Friendly Gardening Matters to All of Us. https://marinmg.ucanr.edu/BASICS/EARTHFRIENDLY/
- Construction21. What are the Benefits of Eco-Friendly Landscaping? https://www.construction21.org/articles/h/what-are-the-benefits-of-eco-friendly-landscaping.html
- Lawn Love. 14 Sustainable Landscape Design Ideas. https://lawnlove.com/blog/sustainable-landscape-design-ideas/
- Hippo Insurance Services. A Guide to Eco-Friendly Landscaping. https://www.hippo.com/blog/eco-friendly-landscaping
- Real Simple. Here’s a Full Guide to the USDA Gardening Zones. https://www.realsimple.com/usda-gardening-zones-7503739
- CalRecycle. Xeriscaping. https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/xeriscaping/
- U.S. Department of Energy. Energy-Efficient Landscaping. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-landscaping
- The Conservation Foundation. EARTH-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING. https://theconservationfoundation.org/conservation-home/earth-friendly-landscaping/
- EPA. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles. https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/integrated-pest-management-ipm-principles
- Homes & Gardens. Best walkable ground cover plants: 11 options to transform your paths and lawn. https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/best-walkable-ground-cover-plants
- Better Homes & Gardens. Sustainable Landscaping Ideas to Make Your Yard Eco-Friendly. https://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/landscape-basics/green-landscaping/
- ScienceDirect. Advantages and disadvantages of terracing: A comprehensive review. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095633921000228#sec2
