Smart-Scaping Clara Beaufort
Smart-Scaping: Tips and Advice for an Eco-Friendly and Beautiful Property
Creating a landscape that is easy on the earth, your wallet, and your back is smart. Don’t spend all your time outside watering and working! Follow these great strategies so you can enjoy an eco-friendly lawn and landscape.
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Choose drought-tolerant grasses. A smart landscape can begin with grasses that are efficient and easy to maintain. By selecting drought-tolerant grasses, you can ease your care burden. For cool-season growth, choose varieties such as tall fescue, sheep fescue, and wheatgrass. Grasses that thrive in hotter temperatures include varieties such as Bermuda grass, Zoysia, and centipede grass. Plant your grasses appropriately, and they will survive most dry conditions without your help, sometimes going dormant during extremes but growing when conditions improve. When you do water, do so carefully. Don’t water when the soil is damp; if you’re unsure, dig a spade or shovel into the soil and check for moisture. Clay soils may appear wet even during drought, so try another area if you find heavy clay.
Adjust your mowing habits. By mowing in a manner that helps your grass use water efficiently, you can help your lawn survive with less water. Extension recommends setting your mower to cut no shorter than three inches tall, which will help your grass grow deeper roots, surviving longer without water. Also be sure to cut no more than a third of the blade height in a single cut so the plant isn’t stressed. Taller grass also prevents weeds from growing by not allowing light to reach the seeds. Leave grass clippings on the lawn to help feed the soil, and don’t scalp your lawn as it damages growth. For the health of the plants, keep your mower blades sharp to make clean cuts, and never mow the grass when it’s wet.
Leave the lawn behind. Opting for a less traditional yard is a great way to be more eco-friendly. Instead of a grass lawn, include a variety of hardscaping elements, such as rocks, boulders, gravel, patio areas, and sculptures. Some experts suggest choosing layers of texture and colors to create interest, and incorporating ornamental plants and grasses to soften the design. For areas with expansive amounts of rock, Forbes recommends planting a shady tree since the rocks can generate heat on sunny days. Plant native plants, as they tend to be hardier and are naturally attractive to pollinators. Or try xeriscaping. Xeriscaping is landscaping with drought in mind, so by nature it’s water conservative. Note that many times alternative lawns can be less agreeable under foot or may be damaged by heavy foot traffic, so if you plan on playing touch football or friendly rounds of lawn bowling, you may prefer to keep the untraditional lawn on side yards or in less trafficked areas.
Terrific tools. When planning your drought-tolerant landscape, use the best tools at your disposal for efficiency and functionality. While you’re working in the landscape, be sure to wear a great pair of gardening gloves, as gloves will protect your skin and make your work easier. Another idea is to use a rain barrel. By capturing what Mother Nature sends your way, you can enjoy more frugal water usage, recycling into your landscape what you receive naturally. Another thought is to use gray water. Gray water is your used household water, such as from baths, showers, and laundry machines. The soaps and dirt won’t hurt your landscaping, although you should avoid using water containing harsh chemicals or cleansers. Also consider mulching as an effective way to conserve water and nutrients, as it helps plants in your yard retain moisture during dry conditions.
Work smarter, not harder. Creating a landscape that is efficient and beautiful is easy on the eyes. It’s also easy on your back, your wallet, and the environment. Use smart strategies for an eco-friendly landscape!
