When you think about having your own corner of the American dream, you may picture a perfectly manicured lush, green lawn. But maintaining that kind of landscaping takes a lot of time and effort—not to mention its impact on the environment. Today’s eco-friendly landscaping options can save time, money, water, and energy, which is why they are becoming popular choices for Des Moines home builders.
“Xeriscaping” is landscaping that limits the amount of turf grass used and creates an environment that thrives with minimal watering. The EPA reports that almost 9 billion gallons of water a day are used to water lawns and gardens, and half of that water ends up wasted due to “evaporation, wind, or runoff caused by inefficient irrigation methods and systems.” Contemporary, environmentally friendly choices for your new home’s landscaping aren’t just sandy desertscapes. Here are 6 tips to help you and your custom home builders plan an outdoor space that is energy efficient and easy to maintain.
1. Buy Locally
As a first step, do a little old-fashioned research (using modern technology, of course). Figure out what plants and grasses are native to your area. These native plants will grow better than high-maintenance transplants and require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance. In addition to choosing local plants, think creatively when it comes to grasses, and choose wilder grasses that thrive in your local soil. The Iowa Native Plant Society has numerous resources to inspire you, and the Native Plants Finder allows you to find plants customized to your zip code.
2. Invest in Renewable Resources
Low-maintenance perennials and shrubs that come back each year reduce the time, effort, money, and natural resources you’d spend re-planting. Lavender will come back year after year, and it only needs to be watered once or twice a week. (As a bonus, the scent is a natural bug repellant!) Easy-care plants that thrive in midwestern gardens include hostas, peonies, yarrow, daylilies, catmint, and switchgrass, which will look impressive and showy year after year.
3. Dedicate Living Areas
More outdoor living space gives you more room to entertain—and reduces the square footage of your landscaping. Designing in helpful elements like gas and electric hookups, integrated lighting and fire features, and easy paths from the kitchen or wet bar to the outdoor space can enhance your ability to use your outdoor space. Think about designing a stone patio or privacy deck that incorporates an outdoor grilling/kitchen area, dining table, and separate seating and fire pit areas. Long-lasting outdoor appliances, lighting, walls and/or overhead coverings can make your outdoor space usable for many months of the year. This also allows you to get the best value for your property dollar while spending less time, effort, and money on yard maintenance.
4. Plan Your Space
Arrange your yard to maximize your natural advantages and minimize its upkeep. Plan your space to include paved sitting areas, recirculating water features like ponds and waterfalls, and walking paths rather than expanses of yard. Also, plan out your space to work efficiently with its natural contours and drainage to reduce runoff and wasted water; if your landscape has significant elevation changes, ask your home builder if terracing would be a good option. Making conscious choices for the use of your space can help your landscaping look great with minimal effort and resources. For example, in hot, dry areas with south and west exposure, use drought-tolerant plants, and along north and east-facing slopes and walls, choose plants that like more moisture. (For best growing results and most efficient use of resources, make sure you group plants with similar water and sunlight needs together.) You can also position shrubs, trees, and other large features to block sun and help keep your home cool.
5. Cover It Up
Weave beds of plants, shrubs, and ground cover throughout your outdoor living space—and then cover the exposed soil with mulch. Mulch can be made of leaves, pine needles, wood chips, bark, compost, or pea gravel. Mulch prevents the growth of weeds, and as it breaks down, it fertilizes your plants. It also helps retain moisture and insulate roots from frost, helping your summer plants survive longer into the chillier months. It’s low-maintenance and looks clean and neat, requiring only that you pull any weeds that make their way through and supplement your mulch each spring.
6. Automate and Reduce Your Maintenance
Finally, install drip irrigation systems, targeted sprinklers, and timers to ensure that you water only where, as much, and as often as you need to. Avoid overfertilizing grass and plants, and keep a thick layer of mulch or other covering in beds to discourage weed growth. For areas of grass that you do have, allowing grass to grow a little longer rather than keeping it close-cropped will help your yard retain moisture and require less water.
You can easily have low-maintenance, energy-efficient landscaping that’s even more beautiful than a traditional lawn. Many Des Moines custom home builders, including Homes by Brill, will help you plan and install these innovative, contemporary landscapes as part of creating your personalized home design. At Homes by Brill, we can even help you find the right land for your home. Contact us today to learn more!
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