Committing to an eco-friendly lifestyle doesn't have to mean giving up landscaping. It's possible to enjoy the best of both worlds—sustainability and an aesthetically pleasing lawn. Here are a few tips for choosing and maintaining a landscape design that focuses on sustainability. 

Eco-Friendly Landscape Design Tips

1. Consider Grass Alternatives

Grass requires large amounts of water, which will likely require you to supplement your collected rainwater. One alternative is artificial grass. The quality of these synthetic turfs has increased significantly over recent years. The advantages are many. Artificial grass requires no water, mowing, or sunlight, and it won't turn brown from too much heat. If artificial isn't for you, try substituting grass with a lower-maintenance ground cover, like Rupturewort. 

2. Recycle Rainwater

The need for frequent watering is what makes traditional grass-based landscaping low on the sustainability scale. However, there is a solution. Simply water your grass and plants with rainwater. You can start by either purchasing a rain barrel or building your own by converting a trash can. A spigot will allow you to either fill up a watering can or connect a drip irrigation system to utilize the water you collect. 

3. Plant a Pollinator Garden

Pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds are facing rapid habitat loss. Make your landscaping more eco-friendly by designing homes for these helpful creatures. All you need to do is add some native plants to attract them to the area. Then, put up a bird or bee house and watch them make themselves at home.

4. Fertilize With Compost

Commercial lawn fertilizers contain harmful chemicals that run into local water sources when you apply them to your lawn. This leads to problems like the overgrowth of algae. Instead of buying fertilizer, use compost. You can purchase compost or you can create your own compost bin. Composting will also help your lawn retain water.

If you're ready to implement sustainable landscape design on your property, count on Lonestar Landscape DFW LLC in Forest Hill, TX. This high-end, full-service contractor provides both design and building services and assigns a dedicated crew with an on-site superintendent to each project. Visit their website or call (817) 863-5609 to schedule a consultation.