Nothing dolls up a home like a well-designed landscape. But while landscaping often gets a bad rap, a manicured lawn, be it modern or tropical, can be eco-friendly at the same time. With intensive design attention, your lawn can transform from a plain panorama to a sustainable stunner. Here are 4 tips to an earth-friendly landscaping job.

1. Choose local plants

It’s a method called xeriscaping, which is usually achieved by going native with your plant choice. Since native plants are acclimated to local soils and seasons, they require less maintenance than imported plants.

Aside from that, they help attract native animals, thereby promoting diversity. You can learn more about which plants can complement your garden by consulting your local library or municipality.

2. Dress with mulch

Dressing your garden with mulch is an effective way to save time and energy. Plus, it beautifies and invigorates your garden. Mulching helps to improve soil productivity, trap moisture, and discourages weeds from growing. It is a great way of recycling, and therefore saves stress on the environment.

But then again, not all mulches are created equal. Good mulches serve their purpose like cocoa bark, straw mulch, leaves, bark mulch, and other organic matter. Bad mulches, on the other hand, such as cedar mulch, rubber mulch, wood chips, and those which are inorganic in nature may be counterproductive.

3. Sprinkle chemicals sparingly

While chemical-free gardening sounds utopian, it is not impossible. There are several ways to minimize the use of garden chemicals, or better yet, go completely chemical-free.

Start with repelling garden wreckers. Invite backyard buddies such as spiders, ladybugs, praying mantises; and/or intersperse your garden with aromatic and strong smelling plants. These methods will surely put off pests and discourage weeds from spreading.

Overall, it begins with your chemical-free landscaping design and goals. Reducing your chemical use does not only cut down pollution but also protects your family and pets. Should you have no choice but to use pesticides however, be sure to use organic products.

4. Use eco-friendly equipment and tools

Conventional equipment and tools are tempting to use since they make tasks easier and faster. But most of them are bad news for the environment. Using them would be a great irony in your eco-friendly landscaping goal.

Use benign equipment instead. For instance, instead of a gas-powered mower, use reel mowers, which are quiet and maintenance-free. Rather than using weed-whackers, use an eco-friendly cordless weed trimmer. Going green is a trend – so don’t be surprised to find a wealth of options when it comes to green gardening equipment and tools.

So help save the environment – start at your garden. With these simple tips, you don’t have to compromise the appeal of your home landscape and you can surely reduce your ecological footprint. Or call in professional, eco-friendly landscapers to help you design and create your ideal garden. TalkLocal will connect you directly with up to three professionals in your area in just minutes!

Numerous homeowners choose to handle their home improvement assignments on their own without involving an expert. However, when it comes to building a straight yard fence, most of them are usually looking for useful tricks and tips, allowing them to obtain excellent results. If you want to start such an ambitious project by yourself, keep reading to find out everything there is to know about practical, appealing, straight yard fences and learn how to build one fast and with minimal effort.

The String Method

The biggest challenge is to build a straight fence. Wrong measurements, abundant vegetation, and sloping terrain can work to your disadvantage, making you misjudge lines. In this case, how do fence builders manage to design perfectly straight fences? Some of them use lasers, a modern method that you could also rely on; however, if you are trying to complete this project on a strict budget, choose to test the effectiveness of the string method, utilized by contractors for centuries to build flawless fences.

When it comes to building a straight yard fence, there are many elements that you should take into consideration. The ideal distance between the posts depends on many factors, including the type of fence you plan to design, its purpose, and the terrain you want to build on.

1. Decide exactly where your fence will begin (point A) and where it will end (point B).

2. Stretch a straight line, using string, from point A to point B to align all fence posts situated in between.

3. Make sure to place the fence posts in the correct position to prevent flaws that might compromise the aesthetics and the functionality of your yard fence. One-third of the overall length of the posts should be completely buried in the ground.

4. The posts can be packed with concrete or with dirt.

4. All wooden fence posts should be placed in an upright position, and each post should be firmly braced with solid stakes, after being aligned properly.

5. Make sure the stakes reach your layout string and then fill all holes with concrete.

6, Take a few seconds to inspect the alignment and make final adjustments if necessary.

7. Let the concrete mix set for approximately 48 hours before starting to install your fence panels or rails.

Ask an Expert

Building a straight yard fence can be quite difficult, especially for novices who have never conducted any type of home improvement projects before. In this case, it is recommended to opt for professional services ensured by talented landscapers. Find the best ones by consulting TalkLocal, your trusted source of information, designed to help you meet competent professionals who have what it takes to address your needs and demands in a timely manner.