Green landscaping is a method of landscape design, sometimes called eco-landscaping or sustainable landscaping, it is aimed at creating a landscape that is not at odds with the environment. It provides habitats and promotes healthy recreation while reducing costs, time, and energy for its upkeep.
Read on to find out more about green landscaping and how to make a difference.
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Landscape Design
What is the goal of green landscaping?
Overall, the goal of green landscaping is to minimize the generation of waste and pollution, reduce labor and maintenance, and create something that is good and sustainable for the community!
Why is it worth it to offer green landscaping services?
In the post-pandemic world, customers are more conscious, a recent survey by consulting firm BCG found that nine-tenths of respondents said that they were equally or more concerned about environmental issues in the wake of the virus outbreak. Landscape architects will do well to keep up with the trend and offer services to fit the job.
Who are the clients for green landscaping?
Increasingly, customers for both residential and commercial landscaping projects have expectations for landscape design to be in tune with climate needs.
The Essential 5 Approaches to Green Landscaping
Guiding your customer in making environmentally friendly choices is key when it comes to green landscaping. Residential and commercial landscaping businesses need to keep up with this trend. Here are 5 vital green landscaping tips to incorporate into your business and services.
1. Use Native Plants for the Garden or Lawn
Plants native to your region are naturally best suited to the area’s climate, these trees, shrubs, or grass are already tailored to the soil and weather conditions, and have natural defenses again native pests and bacteria. They are already better equipped to survive by design, hence require less attention, less maintenance, or added nutrients over time. Less fragile plants require less care and watering, which means less money spent.
The installation of native greenery in your landscaping leads to a healthy lawn that supports local wildlife and pollinators, an easy way to improve green landscape design.
Top Tip: Check with local experts on the suitability of the native plant to avoid those that are aggressive or invasive. Plants often dismissed as weeds can also add to the diversity of the garden.
Check out 10 outdoor design and commercial landscaping ideas.
2. Mulch and More Mulch
An often overlooked aspect of quality green landscaping service is mulching. Mulching serves a dual purpose for the property, first of all, it is great for the yard, as it helps to reduce watering, suppresses weed growth, and it improves the soil’s health; secondly, mulching gives the lawn a neater appearance.
While carrying out the project, be sure to use organic mulch in garden beds, around trees, and in planters. Use 2 to 3 inches of mulch between plants to reduce water loss and prevent weeds.
Advise your residential and commercial customers that it is best practice to add at least 2 inches of new mulch each year. This attention to detail is essential to lawn and yard maintenance for good green landscaping.
3. Reduce Reliance on Fertilizers or Chemicals
Address the post-pandemic clients’ concerns about pollutants with a business policy to reduce or even avoid chemicals in your landscaping services.
By not relying on using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, your service benefits the environment, cutting out on adding pollutants to the surrounding air, water, and soil. In addition, this also is friendly to the customer’s budget.
Make sure to test the quality of the soil before adding chemicals, it is likely that your team may just need to enhance the lawn with compost and other organic materials.
Top Tip: Timing the planting of the garden can also decrease the need for chemicals and fertilizers. Planting during spring and fall is better for the landscape. Temperatures are cool but there is no need for ice management, likewise no fear of the scorching sun, making it easier to install and maintain the garden.
4. Cut Down on Fuel Emissions
Green landscaping provides landscaping service providers an opportunity to cut down on emissions. The EPA noted that gasoline-powered landscape maintenance equipment accounts for 24% to 45% of all non-road gasoline emissions.
This staggering percentage must be cut down. For starters, landscape architects can suggest to their team to switch to electric machines for larger commercial landscapes or manual ones for residential gardens where possible.
Lawn services such as mowing grass can also happen less frequently. Grass should be kept at least 3 inches long in summer, as this cools the soil, maintains moisture, and helps the grass maintain a healthy root structure.
Landscape architects may also consider offering alternatives to grass for the lawn or yard. Shrubs are often a good substitute which requires less mowing maintenance and less watering.
5. Turn Hardscapes Green with Planters
Hardscapes around the property such as pathways, porches, fences, stairs, and more, can also be turned into green spaces with the installation of planters.
Planters can be used to demarcate property lines, added to frame entrances, decorate steps, or simply add beauty to spaces like patios, pool-sides, and rooftops. It is an easy and effective way to introduce greenery to hardscape areas without extensive renovation of the property.
This eco-friendly approach is also biophilic, by integrating nature with man-made spaces, we create a more welcoming experience that boosts the well-being of people who live, work, or visit there. It will now be a pleasure for people to spend more time in these spaces.
Best Landscaping Planters for 2023
Here are the 10 best landscaping planters of 2022.
Planters for Every Green Landscaping Need
At the core of green landscaping are the principles of reducing waste and limiting harm. Jay Scott’s planters are created with those same values.
Our planters are made to last. Handmade from the finest commercial-grade fiberglass, it is known for its quality, long lifespan, and durability. Frost-resistant and UV-proofed, these stunning planters routinely last for 15 to 50 years and require little to no maintenance. This effectively reduces the need to replace the containers every few seasons.
The lightweight and high-performance planters are also protected with a plant-based resin. The materials used are safe to house healthy and happy plants without leaking chemicals or pollutants into the environment.
Find out more about why our planters have such a long lifespan.
We stand by the quality of our products with an industry-leading three-year warranty. These beautiful planters can be used indoors or outdoors, suitable for a wide range of commercial and residential clients, including homeowners, hoteliers, restaurants, and even campuses.
Check out our extensive collection today, with a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors to suit your green landscaping needs. Give us a call to discuss custom options for your project, we are always happy to chat or to give a free quote!