Most of us these days are trying our hardest to be environmentally conscious. As we are enjoying the conveniences that modern technology brings us, we must be aware that the health of our planet is in our hands. It’s difficult to always be good, we know, but it doesn’t have to be when it comes to your landscaping. It’s super easy to keep an environmentally friendly yard, as long as you’re set up to do so. Here are 5 ways to start making your greenery greener.

Compost

Compost can help to make your plants literally greener and you can do this at home at almost no cost. Chemical fertilizers are linked to groundwater contamination and a list of health ailments. Take a look at this link for details about the effects of synthetic fertilizers. Chemical fertilizers can also cause salt buildup in your soil which leads to nutrient lockout and eventually plant death. Rather than spending money on fertilizer, you can give your plants a nutrient boost from your own kitchen scraps.  Here is an easy and inexpensive way to get started. Composting can not only make your plants healthier, but can help to regenerate poor soil. Composting can even suppress plant diseases and pests. Breaking down the material in your compost bin can take some time and you may have to wait until next year to apply it to your garden, but in the meantime you can order compost from a local landscape material supplier. Give us a call and we can help you find the right kind of compost for your garden.

Plant Natives

Planting natives in your garden can help the environment in many ways, the one that is the most attention worthy to us Californians is water usage. After the native plant has an established root system the plant requires little to no water. Imagine being able to turn off the irrigation and still have a beautiful landscape. Not only that, but because native plants are adapted to the local soil conditions, they get all of the nutrients that they require from the soil itself, diminishing the need for fertilizer. Native plants are also resistant to pests so the use of harmful pesticides becomes unnecessary, which is better for your health and the environment. Take a look at this link for more information about native plants.

Mulch

Mulch is really any material that is put on the soil surface. You can get a naturally occurring mulch from leaves falling from the surrounding trees, you can use grass clippings from your lawn, or you can purchase mulch from a landscape material supplier. Mulch reduces water usage by 25-50% by reducing the evaporation rate. Putting down mulch where you don’t want plant growth can help reduce water and fertilizer usage since weeds take up a lot of moisture and nutrient from the soil. Not only can mulch reduce soil erosion and help control soil temperature extremes, it also helps give your landscape a finished look, making your plants pop, and the entire landscape look a bit cleaner.

Use Natural Ingredients for pest and weed control

Many people don’t realize the effects that synthetic pesticides and herbicides have on their own health and the environment. The chemicals in these products are linked with cancers, birth defects, reproductive issues, neurotoxicity, and liver and kidney damage in humans and the worst part is that children are most susceptible to these risks. Pets and wildlife are also at risk when exposed. The chemicals released into the air and water are damaging to the environment. Many people are under the impression that these chemicals are the only way to get your landscape looking clean, but they are mistaken. There are so many ways to have a well maintained landscape without using toxic chemicals. The best part is that you probably already have all of the ingredients you need at home. The most widely used natural herbicide is vinegar. The acetic acid in vinegar is what kills the weed by drawing out any moisture from the plant. There are many recipes out there but a combination of vinegar, soap, and water on a sunny day can kill weeds in just a few hours after contact. As for removing fungus problems, household products such as aspirin, dishwashing liquid, baking soda, cornmeal, and even cinnamon can be very effective. There is a list of recipes at this link. Pests can usually be the biggest problem for gardens, but not to worry, we got you covered with that too. Ingredients like cayenne pepper, ivory soap, baking soda, milk, neem oil, and garlic can be used to spray on the plant. You can also spread diatomaceous earth around plants to control pests. Beneficial insects like ladybugs, praying mantis, and nematodes can control the bug population that is eating your garden. Follow this link to see recipes that target specific pests.

Hire a landscaper or gardener that only uses natural products

When you are doing the gardening yourself, you know exactly how things are done and what kinds of products are being used, but when you don’t have time to maintain your garden, you hire a professional. The problem here is that many landscape professionals will save time by spraying toxic chemicals, or planting the wrong plants for the climate or soil conditions. Many landscapers will use chemical fertilizers to get that instant gratification burst of color to your garden, not knowing that it will leave your plants weak, and ruin your soil, which will cost you money in the long term as you will have to replace plants and revitalize your soil. We at Greener Environments Landscaping Company take pride in our name. We truly are greener, and our practices prove that. We only use natural products, never putting our clients’ health or the health of our planet at risk. When installing landscapes, we consider the climate and soil conditions we are working with and plant accordingly. We are prepared when it comes to ridding your garden of pests and weeds. We never use harmful chemicals and never cut corners to save time. We even hand weed when necessary. Give us a call at 805-400-4140 to schedule a free consultation and you will be a step closer to a greener environment of your own.