These days, making sure your household is eco-friendly is super important. Doing our part to keep the planet healthy and combat global warming means a better future for our children, but it can be difficult to know where to start. Many people begin with the inside of their home, replacing light bulbs with energy-efficient ones, installing smart thermostats and appliances, and being more conscious about wasting energy. For many people, however, being eco-friendly means starting outside, and taking care of your lawn is a big part of that.

Lawn care can be a big drain on resources such as water and electricity, so it’s important to do what you can to “go green”, so to speak. With eco-friendly landscaping, you can have the gorgeous lawn you’ve always wanted without sacrificing much energy, and it can even save you money each month on your utility bills.

Keep reading to find out more about how to create eco-friendly landscaping.

Keep wildlife in mind

Good green landscaping will nurture the wildlife in your area while also not being a drain on resources, so look for ways you can use or reuse items to create a lovely backyard paradise for the animals who live in your community. This can be something as simple as planting shrubs for bees to seek shelter in, or planting a small garden that will act as a base for birds, bees, rabbits, and other small animals to feed and rest. Many of these creatures have no one to look out for them, so creating a safe habitat will allow them to grow and thrive in peace. Consider using a rain barrel or birdbath to help gather water for the animals so you don’t have to provide it.

Be mindful of water conservation

If you live in an area where drought is an issue, it’s especially important to be mindful of your water consumption, especially during warmer months. Consider a landscape which doesn’t require much irrigation. These are called xeriscapes, and are used primarily to cut down on the need for water by utilizing careful plotting of plants and trees. It’s important to make sure you have the right plants for this type of scape, so do some research before getting started. Click here for more details.

Use salvaged materials

When it comes to lawn decoration, it’s best to use salvaged or repurposed materials, such as glass, rubber, and old stone. You may be able to find many of these items around your own home, or ask friends and family to save them for you as they use their own. Reusing articles in a different way can help you create a personalized, creative landscape that doesn’t take a toll on the environment.

Say no to that sprinkler system

Sprinklers are handy to have for busy families, but they can create quite a bit of water runoff onto concrete areas--which can lead to damage over time--and can be a huge drain on resources. Once your lawn’s soil captures all the water it can hold, anything else is just waste. Instead of relying on a sprinkler, water your lawn by hand, or invest in a timer that will shut off the system after a few minutes.

Creating an eco-friendly lawn or garden can be a big job, so it’s best to do some research beforehand and make sure you’re prepared before getting started. Look online for the best ways to take care of your landscape according to the area of the country you live in, and talk to the experts at your local lawn and garden store for assistance.

Photo via Pixabay by Counselling