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Five Landscaping Ideas For Earth Day04-23-18 | News

Five Landscaping Ideas For Earth Day
Eco-Friendly Projects

Earth Day could certainly be deemed a landscaper's favorite holiday, as the majority of work done by landscape professionals can be viewed as eco-friendly. For instance, installing sod, building stormwater retention ponds, maintaining irrigation systems and placing permeable or pervious pavement are just a few of the ways landscapers help the environment.

With the forty-eighth annual Earth Day upon us, it is time to consider how we can utilize our expertise as landscaping professionals to better the environment – for if any profession were to go hand-in-hand with the meaning of Earth Day, landscaping would surely be at the forefront.

So, this year, here is a list of ideas that can help make our planet a greener and more environmentally healthy place to live.

1) Plant a tree!

This might be considered the most basic task, however it can undoubtedly be beneficial for the environment as trees absorb carbon and release oxygen. Plant two, three, four or more and you will have done a tremendous service to the environment, while simultaneously making your town a greener and shadier place to live. You can even strategically plant the trees to reduce energy costs for a home.

2) Check/Upgrade an Irrigation System
One of the ways we can help the environment is by ensuring that the water we use is actually needed and going to where it needs to go. Check the sprinkler heads to ensure that they have the correct amount of pressure. Also, set the irrigation system to run in the early morning or the evening, to reduce the amount wasted to evaporation. There are even controllers that are weathered based and can adjust themselves accordingly.

3) Make a Rain Garden
A rain garden can be an excellent combatant of groundwater pollution. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that nearly 70 percent of water pollution comes from stormwater runoff. However, by planting a garden in a depression that sees water runoff you can allow the plants to filter pollutants out of the water before it enters the water table. Rain gardens can also be known as bioswales.

4) Use Organic Pesticides/Herbicides/Fertilizers
Although they may be more costly, organic based products have shown to be less damaging to the environment than non-organics – simply because organic products are derived from natural ingredients. Composting can be a great way to create your own organic fertilizer from discarded materials like banana peels, apple cores and corncobs. This can be a good way to save money also by limiting the need to buy fertilizer. Install a composting bin or barrel.

5) Go Green With Green Roofs/Walls
As exemplified by Denver, Colo., green roofs are becoming more and more popular. They, along with green walls, reduce the heat island effect experienced in many cities and lower the amount of carbon in our atmosphere.

These are just a few of the many ways you can help the planet in honor of this year's Earth Day. If you have recently completed any projects that you deem environmentally friendly, share them with us by sending pictures to editorial@landscapearchitect.com!