If you want a greener and more eco-friendly house, you have to start in the yard. Does that sound strange? Why would you need to conserve energy in the yard when it is an outdoor space? Unknowingly for many, there are a lot of ways that a yard can use up too much energy, water, and natural resources. High water usage and soil erosion are serious problems, although both can be addressed by simple and well-targeted conservation methods.
Changing your habits in the garden can radically reduce the energy it needs. Plus, it can also save you money and energy. Even if the garden does not cost much to maintain, it is still important to follow the many easy and cheap ways to conserve energy.
Choose the Right Turf
Kikuyu turf is a low-maintenance type of grass that many Australians choose for their properties. It is resistant to drought, which makes it the perfect grass for countries that experience months of hot weather. At the same time, it needs little water with most homeowners setting a seven- to 10-day watering schedule during hot summer days. During the rainy season, there are even longer intervals, making you use less water throughout its life.
But it’s not only the low water requirement that makes this type of turf perfect for energy-conserving yards. It also has a strong root system that prevents soil erosion. It also grows quickly and has lush green aesthetics that will improve your property’s curb appeal.
Invite Plant Protection
If you’re in the middle of planning your yard’s layout, choose to have trees surrounding your garden. Trees provide shade and reduce heat loss in the winter. It will also protect your grass from the sun’s rays, which means it wouldn’t be so starved for water. As a general rule, choose to have trees on the south side of your lawn so that it will also provide shade for your roof.
Pick the Right Mower
A gas-powered lawn mower uses an average of five gallons of gasoline per household, a study by Yale University said. In a year, that’s about 600 million gallons of gasoline. You might want to cut down on your need for gasoline since you’re already driving your car to and from work.
If you’re about to buy a lawnmower, consider a push mower or one that’s powered by electricity. You should also consider selling your gas-powered mower and pick an electric or manual unit. It will make a huge difference in the way you use energy in your yard.
Water at the Right Time
Conserving water should be your number one priority if you want to conserve energy in the garden. You should choose plants, flowers, and shrubberies that need less water. However, if you insist on growing plants that need a lot of water, you have to be smarter with the way you water them.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests watering during the coolest time of the day so that the water will last long and won’t evaporate. It also suggests grouping plants according to their water needs. You have to put plants with high-water need beside each other to maximize the water. Another practical way of conserving water is to collect rainwater in barrels to manually water the plants.
Start a Composting Station
Organic gardening is all the rage now. That’s because chemical and synthetic fertilizers have a lot of adverse impacts on the environment. You can set up a compost bin in the corner of your yard. This way, you can throw twigs, dried leaves, eggshells, veggie scraps, and garden waste there to be used as fertilizer in the coming months. This way, you’re not only recycling biodegradable materials, but you’re also making sure the plants get the best nutrients organically.
Grow Native Plants
While you have plant preferences, devote an area of your garden to native plants. These are plants that grow naturally in your area. Aside from the fact that these plants and flowers need less watering, they can also help the local habitat by attracting bees and butterflies. You can find plenty of options that will work for your garden and yard. Play around with them so you can come up with the best energy-saving yard.
Now more than ever, it’s important to start protecting the environment from too much degradation. Climate change is real, and it will only get more real if people don’t care enough about what happens to the environment. And yes, you need to start in the yard and slowly work yourself inside.
