5 Sustainable Landscaping Ideas for Idaho Homeowners

Everyone tosses around the words “green” and “sustainable” — but what do they actually mean, and why are they so important?

Most of the time, going green or sustainable involves taking steps to limit your environmental footprint. That could include recycling, carpooling, using solar power and even making your landscape more energy efficient.

Benefits Of Sustainable Landscaping In Idaho

You know it’s important to take care of the environment, but there are actually several benefits of having a sustainable landscape design that will have a more direct effect on you:

• Conserves water
• Lowers utility bills
• Requires less maintenance over time
• Uses less electricity (if you have LED lights, for example)

It’s no wonder going green and sustainable is so popular. Here are five sustainable landscaping ideas for your Idaho property.

1. Reuse Rainwater

The idea of harvesting rainwater might seem a bit out there, but it’s actually growing in popularity.

A survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) found rainwater harvesting to be a top sustainable landscaping trend. Of those surveyed, 88 percent said they expected rainwater harvesting to have high homeowner demand.

Rainwater harvesting collects, stores and reuses rainwater. You can catch water in containers like cisterns. Then you can use that water on your plants, grass or any other outdoor needs you may have.

2. Install Native Plants

Curb appeal and sustainability can go hand in hand if you choose the right foliage. Another great sustainable landscaping idea is to use native plants.

Native and adaptive plants can handle our climate here in Idaho Falls better than non-native ones. So, they will require less water and maintenance on your end. These plants will also thrive better, giving you the wow factor you’re looking for.

Beyond going native, you also need to pick plants that match your landscape’s conditions. For example, pair a full-sun plant with areas of your yard that get little to no shade.

3. Update Your Sprinkler System and Schedule

A well-maintained, updated sprinkler system is key to a sustainable landscape.

Sprinkler heads can break or need adjustment, so it’s important you have them examined at least once a year. New technology keeps coming out to make the system more efficient, so you could benefit from upgrades, like controllers and sensors, as well.

You also need to make sure your system schedule is still properly set. Running the sprinkler system in the morning and/or evening helps prevent water loss to evaporation during the hottest part of the day.

4. Lighten Up Your Landscape (And Costs)

Enjoy your outdoor living area well into the night with energy-efficient landscape lighting.

LED lighting uses 75 percent less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs and lasts longer, with a lifespan of about 50,000 hours compared to 1,200 hours for incandescent bulbs.

You can even control some LED lighting systems remotely to turn them on and off or even dim them.

In addition to making your landscape more sustainable, installing lights can also improve your outdoor living area’s safety and security. Popular places to add landscape lighting include walkways, stairs, patios, outdoor kitchens, plant beds and along your home.

5. Make Changes To The Landscape Design

A sustainable yard starts with the initial landscape design. Luckily, you don’t have to rework your entire outdoor space to have an efficient layout.

Here are some design changes for sustainable landscaping:

• Check drainage. Does your landscape have puddles after it rains? Is water building up on your patio? See where rainwater goes on your property, and make sure it has a clear path to move freely. You may need to grade the landscape to encourage water to flow in the right direction, remove obstacles like plants or install a French drain.
• Reduce the amount of grass. Grass can be pretty needy, requiring water, maintenance and fertilizer. So, look for areas where you can limit the amount of grass. Instead of having grass on a steep slope, for example, you could install groundcovers or a retaining wall to reduce maintenance (and make the job a lot easier).
• Use plants for shade. Shade trees or shrubs can help prevent grass or smaller plants from getting stressed during the summer, which means less watering.

Look for a professional who offers sustainable landscape design services so they can help you choose the best changes for your outdoor space.

A More Sustainable Landscape Starts With Outback Landscape

But be careful: A lot of landscapers like to say they are “sustainable” or “green,” but in reality, their work doesn’t back that up.

At Outback Landscape, we walk the talk to keep your landscape as efficient and sustainable as possible. We offer a full list of in-house maintenance and design services, including installing (and suggesting) native plants, updating sprinklers and adding landscape lighting.

We truly care about protecting the environment and natural resources, and you’ll see that in everything we do.

Contact Outback Landscape at 208-656-3220, or fill out the contact form to schedule an onsite consultation. We’d love to hear from you.