4 Ways to Go Green in Your Backyard
Backyards are made for summer. As the weather heats up, it's time to clean up your yard for pool lounging, garden parties and backyard barbecues. As you create your ideal outdoor oasis, keep in mind the environmental impact your yard may have. The backyard is often neglected when it comes to eco-consciousness despite many homeowners embracing the idea of going green in their homes. From landscaping to pool care, there are sustainable and natural options for creating the perfect backyard to enjoy this summer.
Native Landscaping
Embrace the natural landscape in your region by implementing native plants and elements in your backyard. For example, if you live in the desert, don't plant tropical plants and lush flora. You will waste water and time trying to sustain these plants. Native greenery is already acclimated to your region's rainfall and climate, so maintenance will be easier. Landscaping with native trees, flowers and bushes will not only create a low-maintenance environment, it will provide shelter and food for local birds and wildlife.
To conserve water with your plants, group those together that require similar watering needs. You can design your irrigation system to water a lawn, high maintenance plants and drought-resistant plants at different times so you lessen your risk for over or under watering.
Eco-Friendly Fire Pits
Wood-burning fire pits are popular backyard features perfect for roasting s'mores with the kids or gathering with friends after a day of swimming. Unfortunately, some wood fires cause pollution emissions and buying wood from unsustainable sources can contribute to deforestation. Forbes recently featured some eco-friendly alternatives that bring the campfire feeling without risk to the environment. These alternatives include:
Natural gas pits and create a cozy fire without wood-burning smoke. Bioethanol has become another clean-burning option for fire pit lovers.
Eco-glass is a topping material for your fire pit. It is made from post-industrial glass that is melted down and dyed, resulting in bright colors. Other fire pit toppers include lava rocks and other treated stones.
If you already have a wood-burning pit and don't want to remove it, there are now eco-friendly log alternatives made from renewable resources. They release 80 percent less emissions than regular wood, according to Forbes. These logs are made from natural wax, recycled sawdust, old coffee beans, soy and switchgrass.
Pools, Spas and Water Features
Whether you have a pool or dream of adding one, there are eco-friendly options for pool design and maintenance. If you want to add a pool, consider building a natural swimming pool. Mother Nature News suggests creating a sloped pool and using PVC pipe to circulate water. Added plants, brush and water lilies will naturally filter your water to keep it clean. There are many ways to build a natural pool, from a simple hole in the ground to a more standard cement or sealed design.
If you already have a pool, there are eco-friendly ways you can maintain it. Use natural solutions to maintain the chemistry of your pool or hot tub. You can also find energy-saving accessories, the IntelliFlo eco-friendly pump has an LCD screen that displays wattage consumption or the solar pool heater that doesn't require gas or electrical lines. In-ground pool kits are also offered so you can customize your pool to have a saltwater pump, which uses less chlorine or a circulating filter system and other water-saving options.
Recycle & Upcycle
When it comes to outdoor decor, recycling, buying secondhand or simply using what you have is the most environmentally friendly and economical thing you can do. Whether it's old furniture you had in your garage or something you found at a yard sale, you can turn old furniture and decor into fun outdoor pieces for your backyard without buying new. DIY recycle projects are fun to do in the summer with your kids and save furniture from ending up in landfills.