[Guest] Going Green: 6 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Garden Makeover

Many people who choose to board the green movement hype train aim all the attention to their interior and completely neglect their outdoor spaces. However, eco-friendliness starts outside, in our gardens and backyards! So, try to keep your garden green, not just in color, but also in the way you design it, care for it and keep it functional and cozy. If you’re ready to become environmentally conscious, consult these tips if you feel stuck!

Plant a tree

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, but the second best time is today! Trees not only look amazing in every backyard, but they also provide you with an energy-saving shade that makes your garden more comfortable for both humans and wildlife. Additionally, they help reduce global warming and ozone levels (especially in urban areas), help soak up excess rainwater, keep soil firm and provide people and animals with precious oxygen! Plus, they boost the value of your property, in case you decide to sell your home in the future.

Reduce lawn surface

If you want to keep your lawns nice and green, you’ll waste a lot of precious water, so try to keep lawns at a minimum. Instead, try non-grass lawns that can be made of local ground cover plants or wildflowers. For that shady part of your ground, opt for moss. It grows well even when not exposed to sun and stays fresh and soft. You can also opt for various stone and tree bark solutions that look great and require zero care!

Eco-friendly landscaping

Sustainable landscaping involves a garden that is designed with time, money and energy conservation in mind. When thinking about your plants, try to choose native plants or those derived from native plants which are adapted to your area’s rainfall levels, temperatures, and general climate conditions. For instance, people from Australia might want to opt for plants used to hot and dry weather and extreme climate conditions. If you’re unfamiliar with local botany, don’t worry! You can always contact experts in landscape architecture from Sydney who will know which greenery and garden design to choose for maximum sustainability. By consulting with pros, you’ll manage to create a green outdoor environment that also suits your needs and preferences to a T!

Invest in eco-friendly furniture

In order to have a truly sustainable garden, you need to find the right furniture for your seating area. Opt for something high-quality that will stay in top shape for a long time (replacing your furniture every two years is not sustainable at all). Wood and aluminum look amazing, but they don’t react well to harsh weather. On the other hand, synthetic wicker is totally stylish, rust and UV-resistant, comfortable and will serve you for years and years!

Opt for energy-efficient lighting

Once you remodel your garden, you’ll want to use it in the evening, too. So, make sure to light it up for comfort and safety. However, regular night lights waste a lot of electricity which makes them a not-so-green choice of fixtures. Luckily, there are practical and efficient solar-powered lights that come in all styles, sizes, and colors and will light up your garden with clean energy. Plus, they require no cords and wires, which means your garden will stay intact during installation!

Improve your deck

A damaged and worn-out deck will disrupt the whole aesthetics of your garden, but don’t simply decide to replace it with a new one! A new deck will require a lot of trees to be cut down which is not very green or sustainable. However, you can still fix and liven your deck with decking material that is durable like redwood. You can also opt for creating a concrete patio, which is a great, durable and eco-friendly solution. If you opt for concrete, make sure to repurpose leftover deck wood for furniture or fuel.

Eco-friendliness is a huge trend today both in interior and exterior design, and a trend we should all stand behind! So, make sure to green up your garden, make it sustainable and comfy and you’ll certainly help our Mother Earth catch a much-needed break!

This Guest Post Brought To You By Robert Clayton.

Author’s bio:

Robert Clayton is a blogger with a degree in engineering based in Sydney. His interests and passions include DIY, green technologies and home improvement. He also loves good food, music, dogs and enjoys spending time by the ocean. He’s a regular contributor for Smooth Decorator, An Australian Home improvement website.