Guest Post - Green Solutions for a Perfect Backyard Getaway

Outdoor space informs the appearance of your household and exterior design is just as important as interior design. While you do not have as much elbow space to get crazy with the appearance of your yard as you do with the interior, there are still countless creative solutions to create a captivating oasis of comfort. In the day and age when eco-friendly living has become ubiquitous, some especially nifty tricks have become quite prominent and, if you are interested to learn more about them, here are some green solutions for a perfect backyard getaway.

Ditch the exotics and go native

If we are to discuss green solutions for a beautiful backyard, we first have to mention one of the most reasonable, cost-effective and energy-saving methods to create a sustainable paradise behind your house. This, of course, entails going native with the plant life. Exotic plants and trees might look beautiful, but they are usually expensive due to import costs, and this goes without accounting for the resources you’ll have to waste to sustain its exuberance. The best thing you can do is choose an assortment of local plants that are robust, easy to maintain and which are adapted to your particular climate, soil, parasites and microorganisms. Every region in the world has its own unique and gorgeous floral biome, so start the research and knock yourself out.

Create a vertical garden

Vertical gardens can add a level of astonishing beauty to your backyard’s lush assembly of greenery, and even though your instincts may tell you that this might require too much work, it is actually fairly easy to set one up. All you need is at least one vertical garden unit which you can hang on an arbitrarily chosen section of the backyard wall. Of course, the best vertical garden units are also easy to rearrange whenever you are in the mood to mix things up a bit, and you’ll want this modularity in case some renovation needs to be done on your home’s exterior. Vertical gardens are a good way to camouflage some visually unappealing parts of the house and they serve as a completely natural and eco-friendly insulator of temperature and sound.

Sustainable wood for organic appeal

Wood is a precious resource, so if you require some panels and planks to create sturdy outdoor elements such as back porch, gazebo, water barrel or a compost bin, you should probably take a chance with the closest retailer that deals in recycled/reusable materials. Then you can finally assemble these elements with a clear conscience and have a sustainable yard with wonderful organic appeal. Rain-collecting barrels are not only useful in a tried-and-true eco-friendly way, but they are also a nice piece of ornamentation with bucolic charm. The water from the said rain-collector can be used to water the plants mentioned above. Finally, a compost bin is a must in a sustainable yard and a good visual reminder of how much you can do to aid in the natural processes of your immediate ecosystem.

There was a time when eco-friendly options to create a harmonious yard were few and far between, and while the world of sustainable landscaping has become particularly prominent lately, some of the best solutions were actually always there – the local plant life being the most convenient example. The point of it all is that, with some knowledge of what is deemed ‘green’, you can easily rely on your own instincts and creative flair to assemble the yard that you have always wanted. You do not have to sacrifice your vision for eco-utilitarianism.

Author Bio: Amelia Atkins is an author at Smooth Decorator and a fresh architecture student. The love for architecture and design runs in her family and she knew what she wanted to do from a very young age. You can often find her with a notepad in hand, just looking at the clouds, dreaming about the next skyscraper. Twitter / Facebook.

Guest Post - How to Organize a Low-Maintenance Green Backyard

Saving and protecting the environment finally got its place in the spotlight. People are increasingly becoming more aware of the impact – both positive and negative – their actions have on the environment, which is why the majority has started to lean towards completely embracing the green mindset. And what better place to start embracing all things green than your backyard?

Now, some may argue that, while undoubtedly beautiful, lush backyards seem to be causing more harm than good – the wasteful irrigation, improper and excessive use of pesticides and herbicides, and the use of various fertilizers that contribute to the carbon footprint. While they might be right in some instances, do know that there are ways you can create a beautiful backyard that is eco-friendly, low-maintenance and, most importantly, green. Here’s how.

Always go with native plants

If you stop and think about it for a second, filling your backyard with only native plants does make the most sense. Unlike the exotic or tropical plants that require heavy maintenance, native plants are already accustomed to the climate conditions of the area you live in, which will make caring for them that much easier. Additionally, since they are living in the climate and soil they are used to, they won’t require any herbicides, pesticides or additional watering.

Use mulch

Organic mulch, such as wood chips, tree bark, fallen leaves and pine needles, regulates the temperature of the soil and retains moisture, which is very important for keeping your plants alive and well. That is why you should use it as much as you can. Since it is so good at trapping moisture, the use of mulch will cut your backyard’s watering needs by as much as 50%.

Rethink the landscape

A truly green backyard is not only pleasing to the eye, but it is also designed with utmost functionality in mind. That is why you should completely rethink your backyard’s landscape before you actually start planting. If you are not sure what a functional backyard design encompasses, you should seek expert advice. For example, landscape architects at Think Outside Gardens consider everything from purpose and size to colours and shapes used in backyard landscaping when optimizing any outdoor area.

Avoid covering your backyard with grass

Lawns and backyards covered with grass are always thirsty for more water. That’s why you should consider covering your backyard with organic ground covers instead. Plants, such as moss and clover, are super easy to maintain, but look beautiful and feel amazing under bare feet. What’s more, clover, in particular, makes for an excellent habitat for bees, so you should allow it to bloom in order to offer habitat to these amazing insects.

Collect rainwater

Finally, even if all of the plants in your backyard are low-maintenance and do not require a lot of artificial irrigation, sooner or later you will have to water them. Now, instead of wasting tap water, create a rainwater collection system and make use of everything the nature has to offer. Besides, rainwater is rich in various minerals and other particles that will only feed your soli, and thus your plants, further. These are very easy to make as well. Simply get a couple of rain barrels or chains and there you have it!

As you can see, putting together a truly green backyard is quite simple, once you know what you should aim for. Therefore, if you are considering updating your backyard, definitely think about putting together a green holistic environment, that will not only look beautiful but that will also work with nature instead of against it.

Lillian Connors can’t resist the urge to embark on a myriad of green living/home improvement projects and spread the word about them. She cherishes the notion that sustainable housing and gardening will not only make us far less dependent on others regarding the dwellings we inhabit, but also contribute to our planet being a better place to live on. You can check her out on Twitter.