Maintaining greener landscaping practices can benefit both the environment and reduce lawn-care expenses, all through simple inclusion of several green practices into your landscape design.

Example of such practices would include rainwater harvesting. This green practice helps lower water bills while protecting waterways from fertilizers and pesticides that pollute them.

Xeriscaping is another effective alternative to traditional lawns that need constant watering: selecting plants that thrive in your local climate and soil conditions for an eco-friendly approach to landscaping. This strategy could provide an attractive solution.
Compost

Composting is the ultimate green landscaping practice, turning kitchen and garden waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that encourages plant growth. Not only is this process inexpensive and ecological, but it's also a more natural alternative than chemical fertilizers.

Compostable organic material that once lived can be added to a compost pile, including coffee grounds, eggshells, fruit and vegetable scraps, grass clippings, twigs and leaves. Meat, dairy products, fats and oils as well as plant material with disease or insect problems or weeds should not be added, however.

As part of your compost heap or bin setup, first designate an area that receives shaded sunlight, is well insulated against rodents and other animals and secure against rodents and other critters. Next, mix brown materials such as leaves and twigs with nitrogen-rich "greens" such as food scraps and plant material scraps until your pile looks dark in colour with an earthy scent and is turning over regularly - this process should last between several weeks to an year depending on climate, size of pile and frequency of turning overs.
Recycle

Mulch and compost are essential elements of green landscaping, aiding soil health by insulating it with organic material to retain moisture levels while preventing weeds. Plus, this natural form of fertilization eliminates the need for chemical varieties of fertilizer!

Rainwater collection is another way of going green, helping reduce household water use while also protecting lakes and rivers from pollution from fertilizers and pesticides runoff, as well as providing irrigator for plants or vegetable gardens.

Finally, homeowners might benefit from replacing lawns with native plant species. Native grasses and flowers have an easier time adapting to local climate conditions than lawns do; their inherent defense mechanisms against insects and diseases mean less care is required from homeowners; this can significantly decrease landscape maintenance time and costs; making this option particularly suitable for small yards or those seeking savings on watering bills.
Reuse

Green landscaping practices that emphasize recycling are among the best. Composting garden waste converts organic material that would normally end up in a landfill into natural fertilizer for your landscape.

Reusing pavers and materials when it comes to hardscaping helps lower water runoff into lakes and rivers, saving money by not buying new materials. Construction sites may contain broken pieces of concrete which make an excellent substitute for flagstone for patios, walkways or retaining walls.

Your best option to create eco-friendly landscaping is selecting native plants, which are better adapted to local climate and soil conditions, meaning less water and fertilizer need be applied than non-native varieties. They're also likely more resistant to pests, thus decreasing chemical usage as well as toxic substance needs. Use mulch to conserve soil moisture while helping prevent weed growth too!
Water

Homeowners and businesses invest a tremendous amount of water, time, money and effort in maintaining lush lawns and flower gardens - using large quantities of water each month - but this comes at a cost to the environment; chemicals from fertilizers and pesticides run off into lakes and streams, killing wildlife while polluting drinking water supplies.

One effective way to create a green landscape is to reduce water usage. One strategy for doing this is planting native species suited for your region's climate and soil conditions - these typically need less water, saving both money and the planet!

Mulching can help reduce your water usage in landscaping by keeping soil temperatures cool, helping retain moisture levels, and providing habitats for beneficial insects like earthworms, microbes and organisms that help promote soil health. Furthermore, watering gardens or lawns early morning when temperatures tend to be more bearable and winds are typically calmer can also help you save water usage.