Sustainable Gardening and Outdoor Tips

Native species will be better adapted to dryer climates and less susceptible to disease. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website can help you determine which plants are best for your region and soil quality.

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, a mature tree can absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, and release oxygen in exchange. Plant a tree in your yard and the environment will benefit for years to come.

Conserve H₂O by collecting rain from your downspouts in a rain barrel. You can use this supply to sustainably water your plants instead of going straight for the hose.

Make your swimming pool an eco-oasis. Install a solar pool heater and a pool pump timer to help reduce electricity usage, and a sphagnum moss filter to decrease the amount of chlorine needed.

Synthetic fertilizers made from harsh chemicals can be harmful to the environment and the local water supply. Instead, use organic fertilizers made from plant or animal matter, which naturally improve the water capacity of soil and plant health.

Choose plants that are naturally pest-resistant, and encourage helpful insects that prey on pests by planting nectar or pollen flowers and use perennial ground coverings. To prevent weeds from taking root, keep your grass at a higher length.

Put your vegetable peelings, fruit waste, grass cuttings and leaves to use by composting them. You can then use that rich compost to give your garden a boost.

Many garden hoses on the market contain high levels of lead and other toxic chemicals that can leach into the water. Consider a hose labeled “drinking water safe” that is lead-free as well as BPA-free, PVC-free and phthalate-free.

The EPA estimates that as much as 50% of the water we use outdoors is lost due to wind, evaporation, and runoff. Reduce this waste by watering in the early morning and adding mulch around gardens and shrubs.