For many homeowners, finding a way to keep the front lawn looking nice without being wasteful of water is a challenge. Especially in the summer months, conserving water is important because it can have a big impact on your local resources and save you money. More than that, it’s imperative that every homeowner learns how to reduce their carbon footprint, which means not being as dependent on energy sources to help slow the devastating effects of global warming.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to conserve water year-round and keep your lawn eco-friendly, from learning to landscape in a way that will sustain your grass and plants without as much water to using rocks and bricks to reduce the amount of green space in your yard. Do some research to figure out the best option for your yard, and set a budget at the start.
Keep reading for great tips on how to conserve water and create a “green” lawn at the same time.
Choose the Right Plants
You’ll want to think carefully about your landscaping before getting started; create a plan for the plants you want, and think about the best kind for the area you live in. Are they somewhat drought-resistant? Yarrow, yuca, sage, and white fir are some of the best plants to include in a landscape that doesn’t need much water. Do some research online to find the best local plants to include in your yard and ones that are hardy.
Use a Rain Barrel
Rain barrels are wonderful tools or saving water, especially if you live in an area that gets a lot of storms rolling through. In the spring and summer, you can potentially gather enough rainwater to take care of your entire lawn and garden, plus provide for the birds and other animals if you so desire. Check to see what your city’s rules are regarding the use of a rain barrel, however; in some areas, they aren’t allowed.
Use Mulch
Mulch helps trap water beneath the surface, keeping it right up against the roots of your plants and flowers where it belongs. During the hottest months of summer, mulch will help keep your garden or landscape moist and prevent evaporation so they’ll stay fresh and colorful no matter how warm it gets.
Commit
Many lawns will start to go dormant in summer after a long dry spell and will start to turn brown. This is a natural occurrence that helps it conserve what water there is in the roots, and once moisture comes back into the picture, it will start to look healthy again. If you choose to let it go dormant in the transition from summer to fall, let it stay brown. Reintroducing water to it at that point can actually be harmful to the grass.
Plant a Rain Garden
Many landscaping ideas use rain gardens to fill a small area. The basic idea is to plant your items in a shallow, bowl-shaped indentation in the earth so that when it rains, the area will collect as much water as possible. This is a great option for parts of the country that don’t get much rain, and it doesn’t require much work on your part. Just make sure you use the right tools when creating your rain garden, including the best gloves on the market.
Making eco-friendly changes to your lawn and garden will help you conserve water, saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint. This is a great way to teach your children about conservation as well as how to be responsible for other living things.
Photo via Pixabay by PublicDomainPictures
