Why Sustainable Landscaping?
​​Sustainable landscaping is about working with nature, not against it. Native plants, rain gardens, and other eco-friendly practices offer many benefits:
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Native Plants: These plants are naturally suited to your local environment, requiring minimal watering, fertilization, and maintenance. They provide vital food and habitat for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds, fostering biodiversity.
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Reduced Turf Areas: Traditional lawns demand significant water, mowing, and chemical inputs. Replacing turf with native plants or low-maintenance ground covers reduces these demands, saving you time and resources.
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Rain Gardens: These strategically designed gardens capture and filter rainwater, preventing pollutants from washing into rivers and streams.
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Rain Barrels: Harvest rainwater for use in your garden, conserving municipal water and making the most of this free resource.
Practical Steps You Can Take
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Plant Native: Incorporate native flowers, shrubs, and trees into your landscape. Their deep roots stabilize soil, reduce erosion, and help manage stormwater. (See the GINLC Native Garden)
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Shrink the Lawn: Convert unused turf areas into wildflower meadows, planting beds, or vegetable gardens.
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Create a Rain Garden: Direct water from downspouts or hard surfaces into a rain garden planted with moisture-tolerant native plants. (See GINLC Rain Garden)
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Compost: Turn yard and kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost for your garden. This reduces landfill waste and enhances soil health.
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Practice Smart Lawn Care: If you keep turf grass, follow healthy practices:
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Mow high (3 inches or more) to encourage deep roots and shade out weeds.
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Leave grass clippings ("mow it high and let it lie") to return nutrients to the soil.
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Mulch fallen leaves into the lawn or leave them in garden beds as winter habitat for insects.
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Support Wildlife Year-Round: Allow native flower stalks to stand through winter, providing seeds for birds.
The Impact of Your Efforts
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By making these changes, you contribute to cleaner air, healthier waterways, and thriving local wildlife. A sustainable landscape is not just a visual improvement—it’s an investment in the health of our planet.
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Join the Movement!
Whether you're a homeowner or a business, your landscape can be part of the solution. Start small or go big—every step counts. Together, we can create landscapes that are as sustainable as they are beautiful.
Take action today for a greener, healthier future.