Some might think that becoming more eco-friendly may mean either spending money on expensive equipment or involve difficult procedures, however this doesn’t have to be the case! Follow these tips and you could benefit not only from a healthier and more vibrant backyard, but you could also end up saving money by using resources in a smarter way.
Best Tips For A More Eco Friendly Backyard
Being Smart with your Watering
To get more benefits from watering your garden there are more effective times to do your watering, saving water, money, and your garden. Somewhat dependent on your local climate, usually the best time to water your garden is early in the morning, with the second-best option being late afternoon. This is because when the air is cooler less moisture is lost to evaporation. However, try and make sure there is enough time for foliage to dry before night sets in as the usually cooler nighttime temperatures can leave everything damp which can be a hotbed for fungal diseases. The lawn should be watered long and deep (about an inch should be enough), and about once a week, while plants should be watered near the base of the plants rather than overhead, and not left drenched. Soaker hoses are ideal for this as they slowly deliver water straight to the roots, also saving on water.
Saving Water
Water is becoming one of the most valuable and scarce resources across the world. The conservation of water is one of the easiest and most important ways to make your backyard more eco-friendly, as well as saving money. Other than making sure you water the right way, another easy trick is by installing large water tanks in your yard that are connected to the gutters in your house, so that whenever it rains the tanks will collect the water. If you don’t want the tank to take up too much space, you can also get a smaller one which you can empty more frequently. You can either buy a basic tank or be resourceful making your own. The recycled rainwater collected can be used either for watering your garden or other domestic activities, as well as being used for drinking water after it has been filtered.
Mow Like a Pro
When you mow your lawn, try and only cut off about a third of the grasses length each time, letting your lawn be a few inches longer than you usually would to help it tolerate hotter and drier conditions during warmer months, as well as mowing relatively frequently which will help it retain moisture better. This all allows for the roots to grow deeper helping the lawn be thicker; meaning less pests and less disease, also meaning less need for chemical intervention.
Mow Like A Pro
Going Native
Try and have native plants and trees as these will be more accustomed to the local growing conditions, meaning they will demand less maintenance, generally requiring less water and better resistance to local disease and pests.
Get Composting
Gardeners call this ‘black gold’ as it is the most effective (and free!) way to enrich your soil with much needed nutrients, which not only reduces dependency on chemical fertilizers, but can also improve drainage, soil texture, and water retention, and all using leftovers you already have at home.
