Eco-Friendly Ways of Managing Your Home's Landscaping and Gardening

Not all methods of caring for your home's landscaping and gardening are necessarily eco-friendly; certain weed killers can be somewhat toxic and will release harmful chemicals into the ground. Even pulling up too many plants can be harmful as this can expose the soil to the sun and allow too much moisture to run off, causing soil erosion. Note a few eco-friendly ways of managing your home's landscaping and gardening so you know the ground is always as healthy as it can be.

1. Mulch

Mulch is a good way to retain moisture in the ground without having to water the soil and waste that resource; it also protects the ground from being scorched by too much sun exposure. You can use a variety of materials for mulch but, usually, wood chips are best. The wood will hold the moisture on the underside of the chips without absorbing too much of it; holding that moisture in place keeps it next to the soil, so the ground is kept moist and hydrated. As wood decomposes, it won't release toxins into the ground either.

2. Selective clearing

Because removing too much vegetation can make the soil susceptible to erosion or exposure to the sun, use selective clearing methods when you want to pull up vegetation. Choose a dense area and remove harmful weeds slowly. Plan on clearing those over several seasons, not just all at once. Replace what you pull up with helpful, native plants that are good for the soil, or with fresh turf. 

3. Know your insects

Not all insects are bad for your gardening and landscaping; some help to pollinate flowers and keep them healthy, and some will eat other insects that might otherwise feast on your plants. Many gardeners actually bring in caterpillars, butterflies, and even earthworms for their gardens and landscaping as these keep the ground and vegetation healthy.

4. Add irrigation methods

If your landscaping and lawn seem to always be dry, you don't need to constantly water either one. You can usually create simple irrigation methods that distribute the moisture of the soil or rainwater itself. This can be underground PVC pipes that direct water from your downspouts around your lawn, or a small retainer wall at the end of your property that doesn't allow moisture to drain away so easily. This will keep your property well-watered without using fresh water and without you having to worry about how often you turn on the sprinklers or water the property by hand.  

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