How Green is Your Backyard?

by Lisa Lackovic, Regional Sales Manager, Pavestone, LLC

Backyard "greenscapes" can be as pleasing to the eye as they are to the environment. Pumps feed this water feature from a 1,700-gallon underground reservoir in a backyard near Omaha, Nebraska to reduce water usage and control runoff. An overflow pipe allows excess water to slowly leach into the ground, assisting with lawn and plant irrigation.

Today's builders are increasingly focused on the environmental impacts of their projects, incorporating sustainability measures and ''green'' elements wherever possible. But what about in a typical backyard?

Many homeowners do their part by recycling paper, glass and plastic, purchasing high efficiency appliances and changing out light bulbs to reduce energy consumption. Hardscapers can add to these efforts with eco-friendly methods that make outdoor living spaces as green as the grass grows.

Homeowners, especially in water-restrictive areas, need to maximize any rainfall and sprinkler applications. Landscaping additions to outdoor spaces that include permeable pavers, water capture systems and other ''greenscaping'' methods can help preserve the Earth's resources.

Permeable pavers on this Houston-area project were a necessity, as city codes rejected installation of impervious cover due to the increased footprint of the house itself. Standard Venetian-style pavers that matched the permeable stone were installed for the outdoor kitchen and patio adjacent to the pool deck.

Residential Reservoir
Breaking Ground of Elkhorn, Nebraska, installed a 1,700-gallon underground reservoir on a residential installation beneath a natural stone water feature at a Shadow Ridge-area residence to harvest runoff, reduce water usage, and control stormwater-borne pollutants. Six downspouts from the three-story home channel water to the reservoir through PVC pipe, and an overflow pipe allows excess water to leach into the ground, assisting with lawn and plant irrigation. Pumps circulate the water from the reservoir up to the natural stone water feature to further reduce water use.

The contractor estimates that 52,000 gallons of water will be saved with this system, saving the homeowner as much as $400 per year.

Breaking Ground earned the Green Element award in the Ultimate Backyard Challenge, hosted annually by Watkins Concrete Block. Contractors submit local projects to be judged on workmanship, creativity and use of space. Contestants can earn 10 bonus points if they provide ''green elements'' in their projects.

Contractors from Breaking Ground in Elkhorn, Nebraska installed PVC pipe to direct runoff from the three-story home's six downspouts to the reservoir. The underground water storage will save the homeowner up to $400 per year by retaining and processing as much as 52,000 gallons of water annually.

Permeable Driveways & Patios
Houston-area builder Dan Boylan of Dan Boylan Custom Homes incorporated permeable pavers in the local residential driveway and pool deck, providing a seamless transition between outdoor spaces into an outdoor grilling area with a nod to water management and environmental concerns.

The challenge on this project was the amount of allowable impervious cover as dictated by the city.???(R)???AE'?N????e'?N,A+The lot originally held a much smaller house, and was replaced by a larger one.???(R)???AE'?N????e'?N,A+Due to the increased footprint of the house itself, local codes prevented use of solid, impervious materials for the driveway and pool deck.

Boylan and the owner elected to use Pavestone's Eco Venetian Stone™ permeable paver for both the driveway and pool deck, with an antique buff finish.???(R)???AE'?N????e'?N,A+This multi-shaped permeable paver system has a cleft surface that gives a non-industrial look, in addition to the benefits of a stormwater detention and pollutant discharge reduction system. The earth tone color blend accented the exterior color of the house.

Because the Venetian style is also available in standard pavers, the builder was able to continue the style and color onto the patio and outdoor kitchen, which is adjacent to the pool deck.???(R)???AE'?N????e'?N,A+The combination of permeable and standard Venetian satisfied the requirements for the lot coverage issue and also satisfied the aesthetic demands of the homeowner.

Pavestone's Eco Venetian Stone• permeable pavers were selected for both the driveway and pool deck at this home. The cleft surface gives the pavers a non-industrial look while complimenting the stormwater detention and pollutant discharge reduction system.

Eco-Friendly Outdoor Living
Other methods that can greenscape a backyard:

• Recycled concrete compacted for base under concrete paver patios and retaining wall block walls.
• Organic compost made up of grass clippings, leaves and ground wood used as a soil amendment to reduce stormwater runoff and prevent erosion and silting.
• Slow drip irrigation to reduce over watering.
• Rain gardens (shallow depressions containing deep-rooted native plants) to capture rainwater from slopes and downspouts.
• Native plants and/or fescue grass that require less water and fertilizer.
  
• Edible gardens of fruits and vegetables.