Planting a garden outside isn’t automatically an eco-friendly practice. The choices you make regarding landscaping, hardscaping, and maintenance have a significant impact on the sustainability of your backyard. Some outdoor spaces may even harm the natural environment. Eco-friendly living is at the forefront of modern homeowners’ minds, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your outdoor space entirely. You’ll just need to be more mindful of how you use and care for the space.

Rainwater Collection Systems

When you start a garden, you’ll need to give plants nutrients like water and fertilizer from time to time to keep them healthy and vibrant in your yard. Using your home’s water works fine in many cases, but it can be wasteful. Waiting for natural irrigation from the rain may not be ideal, especially during dry spells. You can easily collect rainwater for irrigation by installing a collection system in your yard. Rain barrels come in many shapes and styles to match your yard’s aesthetic, and you’ll always have easy access to irrigation when you need it. As a bonus, you can also use that water to clean your patio or wash your car. 

Native and Hardy Landscaping

When you reach the stage of the landscaping process where you select your plants, trees, and flowers, you’ll want to exercise caution. It may seem like any plant choice is “green,” but certain species can actually harm your local ecosystem. If you choose a non-native plant that happens to be invasive, it can overtake the native plants in the environment, depriving animals of food if it’s not part of their diet. In some cases, the invasive plant may actually be toxic to local wildlife. At other times, non-native plants may require more water, fertilizer, or energy to care for in your climate, not to mention the carbon footprint associated with transporting them from their natural habitats. Instead of choosing any plant you see, research what is native to your local area and climate. It will benefit the environment around you, and it will be much easier to grow. Look for low-water varieties that require less fertilizer. You’ll save resources and enjoy a thriving garden with little effort.

Natural Hardscaping Materials

You’ll likely want to add some hardscaping to define your flower beds, add walkable paths through your garden, and spruce up your patio. You can still use hardscaping sustainably when you’re mindful about materials. Permeable pavers allow rain to soak through, providing good drainage and hard surfaces while still allowing grass to grow. You can line flower beds with reclaimed brick for an elegant and defined flower bed. If you want to use pebbles, gravel, or stone as decorations or ground cover, you can easily find some gorgeous recycled options. Consider sourcing materials locally, as they will typically have a lower carbon footprint than those from big-box retailers. 

Go Green With Your Deck

A lovely patio deck immerses you in the beauty of your own backyard, providing fresh air, sunshine, and relaxation while connecting you with nature. While a deck is traditionally made of wood, there are numerous options for constructing it with sustainability in mind. Where you get the wood matters, for example. Sustainably sourced wood from ethical supply chains makes a huge difference. Opting for local builders helps support your community; ask where and how they source their materials. When I found a deck builder near me, they offered eco-friendly bamboo. Bamboo is an excellent type of wood, as it grows incredibly fast and can be easily replenished. Reclaimed wood is another superb material option. If you want to save some money, you can opt for composite decking made from recycled plastic and wood. Sealing the deck will keep it strong and durable against the elements, and you can use a non-toxic finish without any polluting volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Sustainable decking is a simple and ethical choice for relaxing in your yard. Just add some potted plants for decor, and you’re ready to go.

Compost Yard and Organic Food Waste

When it’s time to enrich your soil with fertilizer so your plants can grow, you can’t go wrong with compost. Instead of using toxic synthetic chemicals, you can make your own fertilizer at home by combining organic kitchen and yard waste into compost. Any type of organic material you’d throw away can be added to a stylish compost bin in your yard. Eggshells, meat, coffee grounds, fruit peels, nutshells, and more can all naturally enrich your soil. Composting saves you money on fertilizer, helps reduce landfill waste, and provides natural soil with fresh nutrients. Even if you don’t want to garden, it’s an excellent habit.

Choose Lighting Responsibly

Patio and garden lighting extends the use of your outdoor space, providing ample illumination for evening parties or nighttime relaxation in the breeze. Many creatures rely on the night to survive, such as moths and bats. Live in harmony with them by reducing your light pollution as much as possible. Put your lights on a timer or a motion detector to let natural wildlife thrive while still providing the light you need. Choose energy-efficient LED and solar-powered lighting to reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy bills.

Conclusion

Not all backyards are environmentally friendly. Toxic fertilizers, excessive light pollution, wasteful irrigation, and invasive plants may even do more harm than good. Be mindful of your plant selections, hardscaping materials, and lighting choices. Don’t be afraid to do a little research. The more we live in harmony with nature, the more beautiful our outdoor spaces can be.