4 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Yard

Choose Muted Native Options

Plants that do well in a xeriscape are those that require little to no added water. These types of native plants will be those that you see in the wild areas of your environment that are more of a muted hue. Most xeriscape plants include tall grasses and those that don’t have much in terms of bright foliage. Other good options include succulents that provide a lower level of beauty as they only grow a few inches tall. There are plenty of variations in native plants in terms of shapes and sizes that will do well in creating different levels of interest in xeriscape. When planning to add a xeriscape to a garden, consider using plants in USDA zones 9b-10b as they are drought and heat resistant, making your xeriscape particularly easy to manage in almost any location.

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Cut Down On Dead Lawn Areas

Xeriscapes are becoming popular in that they provide beauty without the constant needed for extra water. Large lawns not only take up a lot of space but also require additional water throughout the hotter seasons. Consider reducing your lawn size and replacing unneeded lawn space with a xeriscape in order to add aesthetic elements to your garden. Making your lawn area into a xeriscape will add interest to the space as well as cut down on the chance for unsightly brown spots in the lawn due to drought.Add Lighting Interest

Add Lighting Interest

Don’t just enjoy your xeriscape during the day but add important lighting to showcase this area of your garden once the sun goes down. A wide range of solar products are now available in an effort to support homeowners who are using their outdoor living areas more at night. Consider adding eco-friendly lights, like path lights, solar bricks, or even lanterns in a few places in and around your xeriscape in order to show off the natural beauty that it provides. Adding lighting to your xeriscape will showcase those taller and more fuller plants that are a bit unusual. Doing so will create even more interest for the xeriscape in highlighting those interesting plants in your garden that you don’t see on every block.

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Finish Off With A Polished Look

Adding mulch around your xeriscape is a great way to add elegance to the space and provide a more uniformed look. Mulch is a natural insulator and is a great way to finish off the space. Different colored mulching options are available depending on your overall color scheme. Non-organic mulches, like rocks, glass stones, or even rubber can also create a finished look that won’t need to be replaced every year. Take the extra time to mulch around your xeriscape to put a finishing touch on the overall color scheme of your garden.

Planting an eco-friendly xeriscape in your garden is a great way to harness the natural and native beauty of your area. Xeriscapes cut down the need for extra water consumption as well provide dynamic interest to an otherwise boring space. Adding mulch as natural support to your xeriscape also helps finalize the space with an overall polished feel. Follow these tips in transforming your backyard space into an eco-friendly xeriscape this season.

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By Ben Holt. Ben Holt is a fresh air enthusiast and loves writing about it. Ben is always looking to make the most of a summer day, whether he is relaxing in his garden, hiking on an off-beaten trail or entertaining friends on his newly renovated patio.