Introduction

You’ve been thinking about it for a while, and now it’s finally time: you’re going to create your own backyard oasis. You want something that’s beautiful and easy to maintain, but also sustainable. It can be done! Here are some steps you’ll need to take when creating this landscape project from start to finish.

1. Find a designer that cares about sustainable landscapes

Finding a designer that cares about sustainable landscapes is the first step in creating a more sustainable landscape. With so many options available to you, it can be hard to know where to start. One way to narrow down your search is by finding a designer who is certified in sustainable landscapes and has experience working with this type of design. This will ensure that they have an understanding of all the ins and outs when it comes to making sure your project goes smoothly. Another option is looking at their portfolio; seeing how well they’ve done previously will give you an idea of how successful they may be able to help you become as well!

2. Choose the right plants

• Choose the right plants

This may seem like a no brainer, but it’s important to choose plants that are well suited for your climate and soil type. The best way to do this is by speaking with a local nursery or garden center professional about which plants will thrive in your region. If you don’t have access to an expert at such a store, there is plenty of information online about which plants grow well in different areas of the country and world. Look up lists of native plants that are appropriate for your area, as these will require less maintenance than exotic species (but sometimes they lack color). Don’t forget that many people also enjoy growing some vegetables or herbs—these typically require more attention than flowers but can provide an additional source of food!

3. Recycle old debris from site

The third step to creating a sustainable landscape is recycling old debris from your site. There are many ways you can use old wood. Here are a few ideas:

• Build compost bins out of recycled wood
• Use recycled wood to create fences, decks, sheds and benches
• Use recycled wood to build tables

4. Use permeable hardscapes

Using permeable hardscapes is a great way to reduce the amount of water that runs off the landscape and into storm drains. Permeable materials allow water to pass through them, which means less water gets trapped in your yard and more makes it back into the ground.

Common examples of permeable materials include pavers, cobblestones, gravel or crushed stone.

5. Install an irrigation system that meets your needs

In the previous sections of this blog post, we looked at the reasons why a more sustainable landscape is better for your home, environment and wallet. In this section, we will look at how to create a more sustainable landscape from start to finish by outlining some of the basic steps you need to take as well as some tips for creating a more water efficient irrigation system.

The first step when designing an irrigation system is to find out exactly how much water your plants will need during different seasons and times of day; this way you can design an irrigation system that matches your needs perfectly. This process involves monitoring soil moisture levels (you can buy special soil moisture sensors that measure moisture levels), looking at historic weather patterns or asking other local gardeners what works best when they irrigate their gardens (we recommend speaking with several gardeners before deciding on what type of irrigation system is right for your yard). For example: if it rains every day during summertime then there’s no need for an automated sprinkler system; instead, manually watering each plant two times per week should suffice!

6. Incorporate native plants and trees

Incorporating native plants and trees into your landscape design is one of the best ways to create a sustainable landscape. Native plants are well adapted to local climate and soil conditions. Many are drought tolerant, meaning they can tolerate periods of drought without dying or suffering severe stress. These plants tend to be more resistant to pests and diseases as well. Finally, many native plants are simply more beautiful than non-native species, offering vibrant blooms that attract birds and other wildlife in abundance!

7. Install mulch to keep moisture in the soil

As you go about installing your new plants, don’t forget to mulch. Mulch is a great way to keep moisture in the soil as well as retain nutrients, which can otherwise leach out of the soil and into nearby water sources. When choosing your mulch, opt for organic materials like sawdust or cocoa hulls. These types of products also help keep the soil cool in summertime and warm in wintertime.

There are many steps one can take to create a beautiful and sustainable landscape

When it comes to sustainability, there are many steps one can take to create a beautiful and sustainable landscape. I’ve listed my favorite 7 in order of importance and difficulty, starting with the easiest.

• Check the soil test from your local county extension office before you start any work on your yard. This will tell you what nutrients are low and high in your soil, so that you can plan out how to amend it as needed. The cost is free of charge, but if they ask for payment make sure that they give you an invoice!
• Purchase plants at local nurseries instead of big box stores or online retailers like Amazon Prime Pantry (which ships only non-perishable items). This will help keep more money in your community while also supporting local farmers who grow quality produce using sustainable growing techniques like permaculture gardening techniques including raised bed land use strategies combined with traditional farming methods like crop rotation etcetera). Save money by shopping during sales seasons – springtime sales usually start around Easter weekend! You might even get lucky enough one day soon when all those winter clothes get put away for good 😉

Conclusion

Hopefully, this guide has given you a better idea of what makes a sustainable landscape. We know it can be a daunting task to create one from scratch, but we’re here to help! If you need more information on how to go about creating your own sustainable landscape, feel free to contact us at [email protected]