Ideas for green living may begin with energy conservation and water conservation, but they must go beyond that. Thus the ideas for green living or "eco-friendly landscaping" that I explore in this article extend to issues of environmental pollution and overuse of landfills, as well. "Eco-friendly" is shorthand for a modern approach to life in the West that exhibits a heightened sensitivity (relative to Industrial Age precedents) towards environmental concerns. As in other aspects of our lives, in our landscaping we can implement ideas for green living to save energy and make the earth a cleaner place in which to live.
Ideas for Green Living: Energy Conservation
1. Reel Lawn Mowers
Reel lawn mowers are an eco-friendly alternative to gas-powered rotary models and a true boon to energy conservation. Reel lawn mowers are muscle-powered, so there's no engine involved. Using them not only promotes energy conservation but also clean air. To learn more about reel lawn mowers, please consult the following resource:
2. Cutting Back on Lawn Space
But a change in how you cut your lawn grass is not the only way to promote energy conservation in lawn care. Depending upon a number of factors (including the climate of your region), you may also wish simply to cut back on the amount of space that you have to mow. For some alternatives to maintaining large lawns, please consult the following resource:
3. Planting for Energy Conservation
But energy conservation strategies aren't limited to how you handle the lawn. Where you locate plantings of trees and shrubs can also play a role in energy conservation. The following resource contains some ideas for green living that subscribe to the mantra, "location, location, location":
Do-It-Yourself Landscape Design
Ideas for Green Living: Water Conservation
As we saw above, reducing lawn space can promote energy conservation. The premise is simple enough: less lawn means less mowing, and -- unless you're using a reel mower -- less mowing means reduced use of a power source. But reducing lawn space can also promote water conservation. Lawns require more watering than planting beds. In watering planting beds comprised of individual plants, you can target the watering better (using drip irrigation, for instance), thereby promoting water conservation. For more information, please consult the following resource:
Xeriscaping for Water Conservation
And speaking of irrigation, it is a common misconception that automatic irrigation systems are wasteful. On the contrary: if used properly, automatic irrigation systems can promote water conservation. For more information, please consult the following resource:
On Page 2 we'll look at more ideas for green living....
