There's a growing recognition, that the expanding suburban landscape is having a negative environmental impact. Suburban development frequently includes huge energy dependent monocultures (perfect, grass lawns). They consume a significant quantity of naturally occuring resources, (water to keep them green and petrol to keep them trimmed), and they cut back the amount of habitat available for local wildlife. Over use of manure, herbicides and insecticides can leach into water supplies and be damaging to children and pets. Trends towards ecological landscaping and organic lawn care are lessening the damaging consequences of these designs. Many landscape designers are suggesting native plant species, and even golfing course bosses are moving towards organic lawn care.

In practical terms our goal ought to be to move away from designs that depend on an extensive use of energy, without asking people to give up their lawns completely. There are a considerable number of options:

* Buffer zones and open space needs in subdivisions make allowance for wildlife corridors and bird habitats.

* Leaving a portion of each lot in a natural state will invite birds and advantageous insects into the yard, while reducing the amount of grass to water and mow.

* The utilization of native plants in the design will considerably cut back the amount of care needed for the plants to thrive.

We should stop sweating about whether our lawns looks like the eighteenth fairway of the local private club. Plenty of the “weeds” that show up in our gardens are considered to be medicinal, by herbal practitioners, and others attract beneficial insects.

We should stop over watering our grassed areas. Don’t worry about your grass dying. Grass will turn green when it rains. Trust me.

If you’ve got to have an all grass lawn, there are organic strategies that profess to do as well as chemicals will. It’s likely a brilliant idea to test any cure before applying it to your entire yard. Spot treating troublesome areas will most likely be all that's needed.

Ecological Landscaping Considerations

The first and most vital thing to think about in an ecological landscape design is an environmental assessment of the site. Is it more like a sunny meadow or shady forest? Is it wet and marshy or dry and well drained?

Secondly, discover which native plants prosper in your individual environment. This is simply done by taking a better look at what's growing in underdeveloped areas around you. Look at areas that most seem exactly like your internet site. Species that are flourishing in natural habitats in similar ecosystems nearby are more likely to do well, with little or no care, than species growing in different ecosystems, not to mention different regions of the country or world.

Some purists would disagree that only native species be considered, but I actually feel that non-invasive species from other parts of the world are acceptable if used in the right environmental setting. Whenever it's possible select species that are propagated hereabouts and select kinds that are illness, pest and drought tolerant. This may preclude the need for in depth care and unjustifiable watering.

Many native plants are often found growing as part of a larger community of plants. For reasons we do not completely understand, plants appear to form symbiotic relations with one another. This may be for shade, nutrient contribution or protection against pests to name a few. When studying the local landscape, pay attention to plant relationships. In the wild, vegetation happens in layers from groundcovers to taller plants and shrubs and frequently to a tree cover above. These layers supply a diverse habitat for a range of wildlife. Recreating these conditions in even a small bit of your site will help to boost the final health of the environment around you.

In numerous examples householders will would like to deter certain wildlife species, while enticing others. While it may be possible to discern which plants attract different species in natural habitats, it may not be as easy to figure out which plants will put them off. Local landscapers and plant nurseries will often be able to advise you about this.

Wherever you live and whatever your landscape consists of, a little thought about working with the natural environment and a dedication to organic lawn care practices, will save on upkeep cost and benefit the larger community landscape.

Jack Durden’s organic lawn care company provides solely organic lawn fertilizer to his purchasers. When you landscape is transitioned to organic, weed control issues are minimized.