Eco-yards: Simple Steps to Earth-Friendly Landscapes

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For anyone interested in trading in grass for more flowers, native plants and vegetable gardening, this is the book to read. Jan 19, Mckinley rated it really liked it Shelves: Part good - working with nature, but really "embodying the Gardener archetype"?

Lots of footnotes and research. Very helpful - one to own and refer back to. Kristin rated it really liked it Nov 25, Teresa Okesonprater rated it it was amazing Jul 25, Tabitha Elizabeth rated it really liked it Jan 03, Blair rated it liked it Mar 25, Ermalinda Horne rated it liked it Sep 18, Kathryn rated it really liked it Apr 11, Anita Perkovic rated it really liked it Feb 28, Suzanne rated it it was ok Mar 09, Michelle rated it liked it Jun 01, Stephanie Willoughby rated it it was amazing Jan 25, Emelie rated it really liked it May 12, Frances DePalma rated it liked it Mar 07, Michele rated it it was ok Mar 01, Nicole France rated it it was ok Mar 24, Mhairi rated it really liked it May 03, Kim rated it really liked it Nov 06, Mizzo73 rated it liked it Mar 04, Paige rated it liked it Aug 07, George Cavaligos rated it liked it Feb 18, David King rated it it was amazing Jul 27, Karen rated it liked it Aug 17, There are no discussion topics on this book yet.

Books by Laureen Rama. No trivia or quizzes yet. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Instead of building a fence for your yard, plant a living wall or landscape hedges to provide wildlife habitat.

Plant deciduous trees they shed their leaves in winter on the south and west sides of your home, so they provide cooling shade in summer and allow warmth in winter. Explore our favorite small trees. Hardscaping, too, can be green.

Eco-yards™: Simple Steps to earth-friendly landscapes.

Permeable pavers are a more eco-friendly landscaping choice than concrete for driveways, for example, because they allow water to flow into the ground instead of run off into storm sewers, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water. Recycling or reusing bricks, stones, glass, concrete pieces, and other materials is a green landscaping alternative to buying or creating new materials.

Choose recycled plastics or sustainably harvested materials for fencing and decks. See creative ways to use salvaged materials.

Don't be shy!

In the heat of summer, allow your lawn to go dormant instead of keeping it green with watering. Grass is naturally programmed to go into dormancy. Water infrequently, if at all. When you do water, be sure it's a deep soaking; shallow watering promotes shallow root growth that is more susceptible to drought and insect problems. Look into xeriscaping, also called drought-tolerant landscaping.

Especially in dry regions where water is in short supply, using the right design and plants can provide a beautiful display without a lot of supplemental water. Learn more about xeriscaping. An easy way to go green with water is to collect rainwater runoff from your roof in rain barrels. Use that free, naturally soft water for your garden needs. Make a rain barrel. Install a rain garden—a landscaped garden placed in a shallow depression where runoff from your home's roof or hardscaping is directed instead of a storm sewer.

Welcome to Eco-Yards | Eco-Friendly Landscaping in Calgary - eco-yards

Environmental Protection Agency EPA says nearly 70 percent of water pollution comes from stormwater runoff, and half of that pollution comes from chemicals used in our yards and homes, so creating a rain garden helps stop pollution at its source. Get our free planting guide for a downspout garden. An important part of natural green landscaping is avoiding unwanted pollution caused by your gardening activities.

By reducing or avoiding chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, you benefit water, air, and wildlife. First, test your soil. You may not need to add any chemicals!

Green Landscaping: Plants and Hardscapes

If your soil needs nutrients, consider adding compost and other organic materials to improve the quality of your lawn and garden soils. Healthy soil nurtures healthy plants. Avoid overfertilizing with chemical nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, which can run off into groundwater sources, adding to water pollution concerns. Never allow your grass clippings or leaves to stay in the street; they are a major source of water pollution.

Blow the chopped grass and leaves back onto the lawn where they'll decompose and add nutrients. Apply only the smallest amount of nitrogen-base fertilizer you need; excess nitrogen can "burn" lawns. Apply fertilizer to lawns only in fall and spring when it is most beneficial to the grass. A quick-release fertilizer applied in fall—not spring—is the most important because it helps grass build reserves for spring growth.

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Get our organic lawn-care tips. The EPA says emissions from lawn mowers, snow blowers, chain saws, leaf vacuums, and other outdoor power equipment are a significant source of pollution.

Green garden landscaping means making an effort to cut back on these fuel emissions. Switch from gasoline-burning machines to cleaner-burning electrical engines.

Bear in mind, though, that using electricity causes pollution. Use manual tools such as push reel mowers and hand tools. They emit zero pollution—and you'll get a workout in! Mow your lawn less frequently.

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