How to Landscape Your Yard While Being Environmentally Responsible

The habitat you create with your lawn and garden can have a big impact on the environment. Plants capture rain water, help filter pollution, and support native populations of birds and insects. If you want to start being more environmentally responsible starting with your lawn, look no further.

Identify and Remove Invasive Species
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources keeps an updated database of invasive species, allowing you to cross-check what already exists in your garden. Invasive species can be detrimental to the environment because they eliminate native species our ecosystem relies on, and they’re often hard to completely remove once established.

Add Diversity
Planting only one plant variety can create a monoculture. Monocultures are susceptible to disease and pests, and one bad season for that species could wipe out your whole mini ecosystem. Diversity creates a hardier landscape that can survive various conditions, and be ideal for multiple species and the soil. Areas are considered more valuable to the environment when they are diverse and stable with native plants.

Provide Adequate Cover
Areas without greenery, such as water or dirt piles, pose erosion risks as they have nothing to reinforce the soil against rain and wind. Plants help cement the earth in place with their root system to decrease erosion and maintain the landscape. Mulching your flower beds can also reduce water evaporation by increasing ground shade.

Consider Less Lawn
By expanding your flower beds, you provide more resources for pollinators while reducing your water consumption and herbicide needs. Many people want lush, green lawns with zero weeds that require lots of supplemental water and chemical applications. Replacing plain lawns with native plants reduces both of these needs. If you must have turf, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends against bluegrass lawns.

We’ve made our own changes at Evergreen Credit Union to minimize non-native plants in our landscape and to eliminate our herbicide use. Call (920) 729-2999 or stop by to make your appointment today to hear about all the great things we do with the environment in mind. Membership is open to everyone who lives or works in Outagamie, Waupaca, Waushara, Calumet, or Winnebago counties.