Eco-Friendly Practices and Projects For Your Landscape

Drought-Tolerant Landscaping

Drought-tolerant landscaping is essential for maintaining an environmentally sustainable landscape. This type of landscaping involves selecting plants and materials that are able to survive even in dry, arid climates. The plants typically used in drought-tolerant landscaping are native to your area and have adapted to the regional climate. Mulch, gravel, decomposed granite, or rock can be used to reduce the need for frequent watering. Plants that thrive in drought conditions include succulents, cacti, thyme, lavender, sedums, and ornamental grasses.

Features

• Requires less water, input, and maintenance than traditional landscaping
• Conserves water and helps prevent soil erosion
• Requires selection of plants native to the area
• Uses tools such as mulch, gravel, decomposed granite, rock, and sand to reduce watering needs

Benefits

• Saves water and reduces the strain on the community's water supply
• Reduces the need for additional fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides
• Provides an attractive landscape without much maintenance

Pros and Cons

Pros: Drought-tolerant landscaping can save you time, money, and water.

Cons: It may take some time to select and install the right plants and materials that are native to your area.

Case Studies

• UCLA's Drought-Tolerant Landscaping UCLA implemented a series of water-saving efforts that involved replacing turfgrass with native and drought-tolerant vegetation, installing water-saving technologies, and using efficient irrigation systems. The results were a 40% decrease in water use and a 60% decrease in water costs.
• Yerba Buena Center for the Arts' Sustainable Landscaping The YBC project replaced inefficient irrigation systems and installed a 3,000-square-foot native garden that was designed with water-saving technologies. It also utilized a water-smart landscape design that included drought-tolerant plants. The results were a 67% decrease in water consumption and a 48% decrease in water bills.
• City of San Francisco's Sustainable Landscaping The San Francisco-based landscaping project aimed to reduce the city's water consumption by 20%. To meet this goal, the project replaced inefficient irrigation systems with a soil moisture sensor and installed water-efficient fixtures and landscaping components. The result was a 19% drop in the city's water usage.

Organic Pest and Weed Control

Organic pest and weed control is an effective and sustainable way to manage pests and weeds in your landscape. Instead of using chemical herbicides and pesticides, organic pest and weed control employs natural or biologically based methods of controlling pests and weeds. These methods include physical removal or barriers, beneficial insects, and organic garden sprays. The key to successful organic pest and weed control is to monitor the landscape regularly and identify potential issues before they become problems.

Features

• Uses natural or biologically based methods to control pests and weeds
• Uses physical barriers and natural predators to control pests and weeds
• Does not use synthetic chemicals or herbicides

Benefits

Organic pest and weed control is an effective way to maintain a healthy landscape without introducing potentially harmful synthetic chemicals into the environment. It is also a cost-effective solution that can save you time and money in the long run.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Organic pest and weed control is environmentally safe and economical.

Cons: It can take some time to implement an effective organic solution. It may also require more frequent and careful monitoring of the landscape than using synthetic chemicals.

Case Studies

• Konawaena High School's Organic Pest Control The school implemented an organic pest control program that replaced synthetic herbicides and pesticides with natural methods, such as beneficial insects and mulch. It also established a program to prevent new pests from entering the school. The results were a 30% reduction in pest infestations.
• State Street City Farm's Organic Weed Control The farm implemented an organic weed control program that employed physical barriers, such as weed barriers and mulch. It also used hand-pulling and vinegar-based herbicides. The results were a 35% reduction in weeds and a significant decrease in weed seed production.
• Cedar Springs Community Garden's Organic Pest Control The community garden implemented an organic pest control program that used beneficial insects and organic sprays. It also established trapping and feeding programs to attract and maintain beneficial insects. The results were a 50% reduction in pest populations.

Rainwater Harvesting and Utilization

Rainwater harvesting is an effective way to conserve water in your landscape. It involves collecting rainwater that runs off roofs, driveways, and other surfaces and using it for irrigation and other needs in the landscape. Rainwater harvesting systems come in many different sizes and can be customized to suit the needs of your landscape. The rainwater can be used for watering your lawn, plants, vegetables, and even livestock. It can also be stored and used for household needs such as laundry, toilet flushing, and washing dishes.

Features

• Collects rainwater from roofs, driveways, and other surfaces
• Can be used to water lawns, plants, vegetables, and livestock
• Can be used for household needs such as laundry, toilet flushing, and washing dishes

Benefits

• Conserves water and reduces expenses associated with municipal water supply
• Reduces runoff and pollutants from entering waterways
• Supplies water for landscape irrigation and other uses
• Reduces the need for chemical and fertilizer runoff into waterways

Pros and Cons

Pros: Rainwater harvesting conserves water and eliminates the need for chemical runoff.

Cons: It requires some initial investment for setup and maintenance.

Case Studies

• The California Academy of Sciences' Rainwater Harvesting System The California Academy of Sciences installed a rainwater harvesting system that was designed to capture up to 900,000 gallons of rainwater. The system was used to irrigate the lawns and landscape beds and to supply water for a new fountain. The results were a 52% reduction in overall water use and a 72% decrease in potable water use.
• Stephens Elementary School's Rainwater Harvesting System The school implemented a rainwater harvesting system that was designed to capture up to 17,000 gallons of water each month for irrigation and other needs. The system was used to supply water for the school's garden and landscape beds and for watering the school's outdoor areas. The results were a 27% decrease in water use.
• City of San Bernardino's Rainwater Harvesting System The city implemented a rainwater harvesting system that was designed to capture up to 600,000 gallons of water each year. The harvested water was used to irrigate parks, public gardens, and other public areas. The results were a 40% reduction in water use.

Sustainable Landscaping Practices

Sustainable landscaping is an eco-friendly approach to landscaping that focuses on selecting the best plants and materials for a unique landscape that will thrive without extensive maintenance or chemical inputs. Sustainable landscaping typically includes selecting native plants and materials, incorporating water-conserving methods, and using renewable energy sources. Sustainable landscaping practices also use organic and natural materials that don't harm the environment.

Features

• Uses plants and materials that are native to the area
• Uses water-conserving methods such as mulch, gravel, decomposed granite, rock, and sand
• Uses organic and natural materials that don't harm the environment
• Uses renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy

Benefits

• Provides an attractive and sustainable landscape without using synthetic chemicals
• Conserves water and reduces the strain on the community's water supply
• Reduces the need for additional fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides
• Saves energy and money in the long run

Pros and Cons

Pros: Sustainable landscaping is environmentally friendly, cost effective, and low maintenance.

Cons: It may require more planning and research to determine the best plants and materials.

Case Studies

• San Diego's Sustainable Landscaping San Diego adopted a sustainable landscape ordinance that required that all new landscaping projects include native plants, water-conservation measures, and natural materials. The results were a 33% decrease in water use and a 42% decrease in water bills.
• Palm Beach County's Sustainable Landscaping The county implemented a comprehensive sustainable landscape ordinance that required that all new development projects use native plants, employ water-saving methods and materials, and use recycled materials wherever possible. The results were a 38% decrease in water use, a 57% decrease in water bills, and a 58% decrease in energy consumption.
• Davis' Sustainable Landscaping The city of Davis implemented a program to promote sustainable landscaping practices that included native plants, low-water landscaping methods, and natural materials such as wood chips and mulch. The results were a 60% reduction in water use and a 25% decrease in energy consumption.

Benefits of Native Plant Landscaping

Native plant landscaping is an eco-friendly approach to landscaping that focuses on selecting plants that are native to the area. Native plants are adapted to the regional climate and typically require less water and maintenance than non-native species. Native plants are also beneficial to the environment because they provide food and habitat for native wildlife. Using native plants in a landscape also helps to preserve the unique characteristics of the local environment.

Features

• Uses plants that are native to the area
• Typically requires less water and maintenance than non-native species
• Provides food and habitat for native wildlife
• Helps to preserve the unique characteristics of the local environment

Benefits

• Reduces the need for additional fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides
• Conserves water and reduces the strain on the community's water supply
• Provides an attractive landscape without much maintenance
• Creates a healthy habitat for wildlife

Pros and Cons

Pros: Native plant landscaping is cost effective and low maintenance.

Cons: It may require more research to determine the best plants for the area.

Case Studies

• Oak Grove Nature Center's Native Plant Landscaping The nature center implemented a native plant landscaping project that replaced invasive species with native plants that provided food and habitat for native wildlife. The results were a 50% decrease in invasive species, a 25% decrease in water consumption, and