Green Home

Landscaping

  •  Avoid using pesticides & herbicides, use integrated pest management methods instead
  • Replace your concrete driveway with a new ultra porous cement, or a partial grass driveway that allows replenishing of the water table not excess run-off
  • Use native plants
  • Use plants and shrubs that require less water
  • Landscape with more rock, bark, and other minerals
  • Collect your rainwater and use for landscaping
  • Add plants that encourage natural wildlife visits
  • Use framed paneling, or green screens, that promote vegetation growth instead of conventional fencing or partitioning
  • Use natural composts, manures & organic fertilizers instead of synthetic fertilizers which can weaken plants, encourage weed growth, introduce hazardous chemicals to the waterways, and discourage growth of native species.
  • Keep plantings away from the house so that you don’t water too close to your foundation provide pathways for insects onto your home
  • Add a greywater system to allow wastewater from your home to be used on the landscape
  • In drought-prone climates use xeriscaping, meaning landscaping with slow-growing, drought tolerant plants to conserve water and reduce yard trimmings.

We recommend you visit:

Integrated Pest Management for Homes
Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program
Grey Water
Rainwater Harvesting Guide
Xeriscaping

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Spotlight on the Experts

Dennis Odin Johnson

Dennis Odin Johnson has been designing, manufacturing and building environmentally green homes and dome homes since 1971. His company, Natural Spaces Domes, is one of the leading manufacturers of geodesic dome homes in the world. During his 37 years of building domes, one of his major focuses has been educating and promoting the green aspect and environmental sustainability of dome homes as well … Read More »

Little Green Steps

Tip
Create an environment that encourages children to play outdoors and in the garden. Remember you don’t need to use pesticides and herbicides at all in your yard because there are so many better alternatives.

 A good rule of thumb is that if you cannot mow your lawn comfortably with a push mower then it is probably too large. Push mowers save non-renewable resources and do not contribute to air pollution… they also cut cleanly which is better for your grass.