The following "Tips for more sustainable landscapes" come from Salsbury-Schweyer, an Akron landscape design company.
Plantings
- Select the plants best suited to the site and soil conditions
- Plant for diversity using variety; avoid monocultures
- Incorporate native/indigenous plants
- Design for energy conservation (i.e. windbreaks, shade trees).
- Avoid use of invasive plants such as English ivy, purple loosestrife, barberry, privet, Norway maples, and some euonymus, especially near natural areas
Lawn
- Reduce amount of lawn and consider alternatives
- Fertilize and water minimally
- Adjust your attitude...tolerate a few weeds instead of heavy pesticides
- Mow high (3") and leave clippings
Provide for ecosystem
- Recycle organic material and create healthy soil using compost
- incorporate water, food and habitat for wildlife
Conserve resources
- Water deeply and infrequently
- Slow flow of, or retain, rainwater on site. Consider rain barrels, rain gardens or roof gardens
- Reduce paving and lawn, which encourages runoff
- Avoid use of mowers, blowers, hedge shears, etc.
Use eco-friendly materials
- Use compost instead of topsoil to improve soils
- Avoid toxic pesticides, use an integrated pest management approach to pest control
- Incorporate recycled materials, local materials and easily re-used materials
- Consider what "environmental footprint" results from the manufacture/disposal of product material
Create long-term value
- Invest wisely in good design, appropriate plants, and creating healthy gardens and ecosystems
- Avoid instant gratification, instead, consider the long-term impact when selecting materials for your landscape
