I’m always looking for new ways to be green, especially if those methods also happen to be cost-effective. When I first designed my yard around my home, I was thinking about what would be the most beautiful. Now, I’ve redesigned to incorporate financial and conservational responsibility. With a little bit of strategy, you can add value to your home while also being gentle on the environment. Here are some of the approaches I’ve used to make my home and garden an asset without squandering my monetary or ecological resources.
Plants as Shields
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Guardian Trees
Trees are naturally striking, but they can serve the two masters of form and function at the same time. Plant tall trees five to ten feet from your largest windows. When they grow up, they will guard your home in a couple of ways. They’ll provide shade from the sun in summer, reducing the heat your home retains and also the amount you need to spend on air-conditioning. I can’t stress enough how much of a difference I began to feel in summer when I could sit in my window seat in the shade! The trees will also give you cover in front of your windows so that, even when your shades are up, you can have privacy from the street or neighbors.
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Windbreaks
Deciduous trees and bushes can also beneficial when planted close to the walls of your home. Not only can they hide siding that you’re not fond of, but they more importantly act as insulation during winter months, creating a windbreak for your home against cold gales and the pile-up of snow against your walls. Also a common tactic is to plant a wall of thick evergreens around the edge of a lawn. This not only creates a windbreak for your entire yard, but it also greatly enhances your home’s feeling of privacy and safety.
Water Management
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Ditch the Grass
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make in landscaping and gardening is to assume that you need to have green grass. A lush lawn is truly a thing of beauty, but it’s time-consuming and wildly wasteful in many, if not most, areas of the country. Using native plants instead of exotic ones is beneficial because they take less water to flourish. If you’re spending a huge amount of water every month on keeping your exotic plants alive, you’re wasting resources and also wasting money.
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Zero-Scaping
This is an intelligent option for those in arid climates. This is the practice of using yard elements like landscaping rocks, gravel, and such to beautify your yard. Such yards are usually decorated with native plants like cacti or desert shrubs. I’m a plant lover, so the idea of having so few plants, especially ones that don’t need my attention, is somewhat counter intuitive. However, when you have so little water, sometimes you should put the welfare of your plants and local water table first. By having only a few exotic plants, you can focus your nurturing on the ones that really need you.
Organics
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Supplies
A lot of people don’t realize that going organic means that you save money. I’ve reduced expenses and the number of chemicals I put in the ground by utilizing eco tricks I’ve picked up from friends and bloggers.For instance, don’t take out localized weeds with harsh sprays; pour boiling water with vinegar and organic dish soap over them to kill them all the way to the roots.There are gads of similar homemade remedies that you can find to replace the supplies you’ve been pouring money into for years.
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Veggies
I absolutely love the end of summer because that means some of my favorite veggies are coming. Kale, carrots, peas, and more become a serious staple in my diet. By putting some energy into the proper care of my vegetable garden, I can save a ton of money on organic groceries that tend to be so costly at the market.Also, if you’re looking to beautify your yard with art, growing veggies in painted boxes or troughs can add a bright dash of color. Not only that, but the tall elements of pole beans or tomato cages can add visual interest to the garden. You can really get playful and make your vegetable garden as pleasing to the eye as your flower garden.
Natural Remedies
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Native Patch
One of the best ways to boost the value of your home is to have a well-manicured yard. But presenting an attractive set-up doesn’t require a ton of effort, money, or supplies. No matter where you live, you’ll find that there are native plants that look positively stunning when left to grow on their own. For example, a small thatch of wilds in a Michigan yard, if properly maintained within a certain area, is a charming addition to a home. If you live on a bayou in Louisiana, let some of the Roseau cane grow up around the water to create a naturally attractive shore. By letting nature do its thing in areas of your yard, you can reduce the amount of time and supplies you need to spend maintaining it.
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Wildlife Good Guys
Some gardeners are more conscious of their wildlife than others. Personally, I love looking out my window and seeing birds and butterflies and the occasional deer or rabbit cruising through. You can encourage or discourage the presence of certain animals with green and economical methods. I’ve planted things like lavender to increase the chances that bees, the hardest working pollinators, will take up residence near me. Also, the company of certain bugs, like lady beetles, will reduce the occurrence of aphids and other harmful pests. The release of some into your garden is an inexpensive, green solution.
I hope these tips will help some of my enterprising, green-thumbed compatriots!You can increase your home value with outdoor décor and decks and patios, but your plants can get in on that action, too! Spending time gardening has always been good for you. I happen to think it’s good for the soul as well as the body. But you can also make it good for the environment and good for your budget. Everyone wins when you use smart planning in your yard.