Native plants
It's easy to love the wide green expanses
of turf grass, but the amount of water,
pesticides and fertilizers needed to maintain
that lush lawn is expensive, and often
harmful to the water supply. Minimize
this type of grass in favor of plants
and shrubs native to your area. To get
some ideas, you can find your native plant
society at NANPS.org.
Costs:
Common rule of thumb dictates that you'll spend about 10 percent of the cost
of your home. Some cities offer residents
free trees, mulch and compost.
Idea 2:
Smart irrigation systems
To save water, use weather-smart irrigation
systems that have a rain sensor and zoned
irrigation so you don't overwater areas
of your lawn. Not only will these devices
save water, but they may improve the health
of your plants, since excess water can
make plants more susceptible to disease
and insect infestations.
Costs:
Rain sensors cost between $20 and $100; zoned irrigation systems run from $50 to more than $200.
Idea 3:
Rain barrels
Placing a rain barrel at the bottom of your downspouts can catch enough runoff to water your potted plants and vegetable gardens; the recycled water is free and will reduce your water use. In some areas, the rain barrels can help the environment by helping prevent erosion and sedimentation.
Costs:
$100-$250; many cities and water departments will offer rain barrels for free or for a small charge.
Idea 4:
Reel mowers
If you've got a small yard, a manual reel
mower will eliminate gas or electric power
used in a typical mower. While it may
require a bit of muscle, newer push mowers
are lighter and easier to handle. The
other bonus? No motor means no noise,
so you can mow at the crack of dawn without
worrying about waking up the neighbor
-- and think of the calories you'll burn!
Costs:
A good mower will cost $100 to $225 and you will save $15 to $25 a year in fuel costs.
Patio / landscaping
