colorful garden

Sustainable gardening might sound intimidating or maybe you’re picturing a yard without any grass or flowering plants. But, growing a hardy garden that can withstand extreme weather conditions is actually easier and more beautiful than you may imagine. We have gathered five tips so that you can make your lawn environmentally friendly and attractive, in all the best ways.

Choose Native and Pollinator-friendly Plants

What plants will most likely thrive in your yard? Ones that are native to your area, naturally! Those species will require the least upkeep and interference from you since they already fit in with the climate and usually like the local soil. You can find your state’s recommended plant species here.

Take bloom times into account when planning your garden so that something is in blossom from early spring through late fall. Pictured: AMES Planter’s Pal Hand Tool

Also, add bee-friendly and pollinator plants to your garden. They’ll attract beautiful butterflies to your yard and support the native bee population.

Use Mulch and Compost

When you cover your flower beds and other portions of your yard with organic materials, you accomplish several gardening goals at once.

• Preventing erosion
• Reducing weed growth
• Feeding the soil

The type of mulch you use depends on what it surrounds. For a vegetable garden, straw, compost and shredded leaves work best. Try bark mulch or nuggets for shrubs, trees and perennials.

A wheelbarrow makes transporting compost and mulch much easier.

Composting not only prevents organic matter from wasting away in a landfill, it also benefits your yard. Start your own compost pile by collecting lawn debris like leaves and grass, kitchen scraps such as eggshells and banana peels and coffee grounds. Place them in a bin and mix them every few weeks from spring through fall. After six to nine months, you’ll have compost ready to enrich your garden.

Water Wisely

Making sure your lawn and garden have the right amount of water can be tricky, especially for new gardeners. Several tactics can help you manage your water usage more efficiently.

Mulching (see above) staves off evaporation so your flowers and vegetables will soak up more of the water you provide.

When you water matters. Ideally, spray early in the morning to avoid evaporation from the heat of the day.

Using a watering wand more accurately delivers water to the roots.

Capture rainwater in a barrel for use on your lawn and in your garden. It will save you on your water bill and allow you to better control when and where your yard is watered.

If you live in a drier climate, consider drought-tolerant plants that won’t require much water after their first year of planting.

Avoid Pesticides

Some experts say to avoid all pesticides, even organic ones. Instead, they encourage selecting pest-resistant and native plants that are more likely to keep the bad bugs at bay.

Also, buy plants that will attract nesting birds. They’ll take care of any unwanted pests for you – by feeding on them!

Plant a Tree

Trees not only add to your home’s curb appeal, but they also offer many other benefits.

The shade they produce can reduce your electricity bill if you plant them close enough to your home. They give homes to nesting birds. Trees also reduce stormwater runoff and improve the air quality.

Take care when planting your tree to ensure it will flourish.

Select trees that are different from your neighbors to lower the spread risk of disease or a pest infestation.

Ready to plant your tree? Find tips from the Arbor Day Foundation.

By following our recommendations, you will have a yard you can enjoy and feel good about.