Spending more time outdoors benefits your mental and physical health. However, if your patio consists of little more than a bare slab baking in the sun, you probably won’t use the space much. Imagine instead a backyard paradise exploding with life that brings a smile to your face every time you step out your door.
Fortunately, the most sustainable ways to create such an oasis also minimize your labor and maintenance. Your outdoor living space can do more than add beauty to your life — it can also help you feel more secure in a chaotic world. What should you consider when planning your layout and design? Here are five thoughtful ways to create a sustainable backyard paradise.
1. Xeriscape
Xeriscaping might sound exotic, but it’s the predominant landscaping style across the desert southwest, where oppressive summer temperatures make it impossible to keep a green lawn. However, xeriscaping works in any climate zone or terrain. This term simply refers to using native plants to minimize maintenance and watering needs while creating a beautiful landscape.
For example, if you live in a damp area like the Pacific Northwest, you might opt for an ivy ground cover surrounding various garden spaces. Say goodbye to spending every rare, precious sunny day mowing the lawn — and kick the emissions the device creates to the curb.
Xeriscaping can work around existing landscaping. Alternatively, you can plan a new layout, incorporating features like river rock, multiple seating areas, and garden spaces, transforming your former lawn into a backyard paradise.
2. Creative Fences
You might have the most gorgeous backyard paradise but still not use it if there’s no privacy. Use a sustainable material like bamboo to enclose your outdoor space, which does double duty keeping Fido confined. You can even create a living fence with live plants, as some species grow up to three feet a day. This versatile substance also makes an attractive, tropical-style thatched roof.
3. Eco-Friendly Eats
Remember March of 2020 when grocery store shelves lay bare? The world is an uncertain place, but you can increase your family’s sense of security by planting fruits and vegetables in various gardens throughout your backyard paradise.
This approach is also the most sustainable way to eat. Think about it: it takes gas to go to the supermarket and fuel to propel the goods there, which creates emissions. Plus, you often pay more for organic goods unless you frequent your farmer’s market. The greenest way to feed your family is by harvesting what you’ve sown, no car necessary.
Make this task a learning experience for you and your kids. For example, learn to save seeds from the foods you currently consume and practice sprouting them into seedlings. Pretend you’re Gregor Mendel, keeping only the best-producing plants season after season until you create heirloom strains.
4. Water Features
Going outdoors eases stress. So does spending time by the water. Research shows that simply being in its presence reduces mental health symptoms.
You don’t even have to be handy with the DIY. You can find self-contained outdoor fountains that require no installation but make the perfect addition to a meditation space or background noise for your lanai home office.
Should you add a pool or a hot tub? If it’s the ROI you’re after, the latter is the better option. Although some buyers consider a pool a desirable feature, others deem the upkeep too burdensome or the risk to young children too great. Spas can be in-ground or freestanding structures — the latter allows you to relocate your device when you move or use it as a bargaining chip.
5. TLC for Pollinators
There’s bad news for farmers and those who eat what they produce — which includes pretty much everyone. The bee population has declined in recent years, which can have a devastating impact on agriculture. Without these pollinators and others, like butterflies, to spread pollen from plant to plant, entire species could disappear.
You can help solve the problem by making your backyard paradise a haven for pollinators. You don’t have to include an apiary in your plans. However, opt for plants that draw these wonders to your garden.
Bees tend to gravitate toward purple, blue, and yellow flowers. Butterflies go crazy for milkweed. Including plenty of these blooms throughout can encourage them to visit and even keep your garden free of other pests. For example, planting marigolds amid your tomato garden can keep away root-knot nematodes, cabbage worms, and mosquitos while attracting bees.
Create a Sustainable Backyard Paradise
Creating a sustainable backyard paradise gets you moving in the great outdoors. It enhances your property value while bringing beauty to your life.
Such designs can be sustainable and low-maintenance. Follow the above tips to create a sustainable backyard paradise you and your family will love.
p.s. Related posts:
Children’s Books about Sustainable Farms + 25 Book GIVEAWAY!
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