When we think of living sustainably, the colour green often comes to mind. So what better way to start than with our gardens! Including a sustainable garden design when building your dream backyard will lead to a series of rewards, in the long run, both for mother nature and your pocket. Below are some tips when going green:
Mulch
Using mulch in your garden beds will help to retain water from the rain, and will give your plants a drink without using excess hose water. Using mulch will help to maintain balanced soil temperatures as well as increasing water infiltration and retention in the garden. Mulch is easy to get your hands on, it can be sourced locally or through councils and will help to prevent soil compaction while improving soil texture and provide a source of organic matter for the microorganisms living in the garden beds.
Compost
Having a compost heap included in your sustainable garden design either through a worm farm or traditional compost bin will significantly help the health of your garden whilst being great for the environment. Composting your kitchen food scraps reduces the landfill waste your household generates – which is a good thing for the planet. Composting also saves you money while improving your soil. Expensive soil amendments? Composting will reduce the need and the cost long term!
Choose Your Plants Wisely
Doing adequate research when choosing plants to decorate your garden and deciding on those that require minimal watering will be a good step to sustainability. Using greywater to water plants is an environmentally friendly alternative, but having plans like succulents that can survive on rainwater alone will keep your green garden hassle-free! Pots of succulents need little attention and can look as beautiful as a potted table display as they do planted in the ground. The location of your home and the type of soil in your garden will have a big impact on the best plants for your home (which will usually be native varieties). Talking to an expert at the local nursery will be a good start.
Using Organic Matter
While many people shudder at the thought of using manure in a sustainable garden design, it definitely will have great benefits for your backyard and the planet. Manure will feed the microbial mass of the soil which consists of fungi and bacteria. It does a great job compared to synthetic garden fertilizers.
Organic Weed Killer
When killing weeds in your garden, choose an organic friendly alternative. Using natural herbicides will reduce the nasty chemicals spread over plants and into the soil. If you are growing your own vegetables, having natural sprays will mean there is no harm to your family – or by extension, pets.
Grow Your Own Food
Turning your backyard haven into a working fruit and vegetable store will be a great, sustainable and healthy way to feed your family, whilst also protecting our environment. Fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, strawberries, squash, radishes and spinach will thrive in a backyard garden environment as well as fresh herbs and chillies that will make dinner al dante every night of the week!
Are you looking to embark upon building a sustainable home? Our team can help you decide which kind of project is right for you! Book a call or get in touch on 1800 184 284 today for free, expert advice.
Let us do the legwork for you.
- We’ll ask the right questions to better understand your needs
- We’ll create a recommended shortlist ideally matched to you
- We’ll answer specific questions or concerns related to home building, land purchasing or financing
Breanna Taylor
Breanna Taylor is a third-year journalism and PR student studying at Swinburne University in Hawthorn. She has a strong passion for interior design and a growing interest in property development and renovation.
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