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Turning your garden green
As most homeowners can tell you, a lush lawn requires not only plenty of time and physical effort, but lots of water, too. That’s a resource that often becomes scarce during summer months throughout much of the country. By re-thinking your front lawn as a place for water-wise plants rather than grass, you can reduce utility bills and help conserve a precious resource—not to mention cross mowing the lawn off your weekend to-do list
Many homeowners have embraced landscaping with native plants as a way to accomplish all those things. Native plants can more easily adapt to local conditions like drought or excessive rain, and they don’t require the amount of fertilizers and treatments that other plants might.
Landscaping with native plants may involve a significant up-front investment, but it has a big payback. Water-sipping vegetation will dry up your water bill, and you’ll get back the time spent mowing (or the $20 the neighbor kid charges to do it for you.) Native flora attract native fauna, so you can also watch your landscaping come alive with birds and butterflies.
Of course, as with any limited resource, conserving water through native landscaping benefits not only individuals but whole communities as well.
Get more tips on eco-friendly gardening and share them with your neighbors.