Green Landscaping: Sustainable Practices for a Healthier Yard

Going "green" in your yard means more than lawn color—you may not even want a bright green lawn! Explore these ideas to green your landscape in healthy, sustainable, environmentally friendly ways.

What Is Green Landscaping?

Green landscaping (sustainable or eco-landscaping) designs, creates, and maintains your yard to save time, money, and energy. Green landscapes nurture wildlife; reduce air, soil, and water pollution; and create healthy recreation spaces. Your yard can make a difference!

Green Landscaping: Plants and Hardscapes

Plants are central. Choose native plants or cultivars derived from natives ("nativars")—they're adapted to your regional environment. Stay local: a plant native to the U.S. may not suit your area. Consult local experts to avoid invasive natives (e.g., purple loosestrife, banned in many states).

Instead of a fence, plant a living wall or hedge for wildlife habitat. Plant deciduous trees on south/west sides for summer shade and winter warmth. Explore our favorite small trees.

Hardscaping can be green too. Permeable pavers allow water infiltration, reducing runoff. Recycle/reuse bricks, stones, glass, concrete. Choose recycled plastics or sustainably harvested materials for fencing and decks. See creative ways to use salvaged materials.

Green Landscaping: Water Responsibly

In summer heat, let lawns go dormant instead of watering. Grass naturally enters dormancy. Water infrequently and deeply; shallow watering promotes shallow roots vulnerable to drought and pests. Use organic mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Explore xeriscaping (drought-tolerant landscaping) for beautiful, low-water designs.

Collect rainwater in rain barrels for free, soft garden water. Install a rain garden—a shallow depression capturing roof/hardscape runoff instead of sending it to storm sewers. The EPA says 70% of water pollution comes from stormwater runoff, half from yard/home chemicals. Rain gardens stop pollution at the source. Get our free planting guide for a downspout garden.

Green Landscaping: Reduce or Avoid Chemicals

Reducing chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides benefits water, air, and wildlife. Test soil first—you may not need chemicals. Add compost and organic matter to improve soil quality. Healthy soil nurtures healthy plants.

Avoid overfertilizing with nitrogen/phosphorus, which pollute groundwater. Keep grass clippings/leaves out of streets—blow them back onto the lawn to decompose. Apply minimal nitrogen fertilizer; excess burns lawns. Fertilize only in fall and spring when most beneficial. Quick-release fall fertilizer helps grass build reserves for spring. Check out our lawn fertilizer calculator. Get our organic lawn-care tips.

Green Landscaping: Reduce or Stop Fuel Emissions

The EPA identifies lawn mowers, snow blowers, chainsaws, etc., as significant pollution sources. Avoid gasoline spills. Switch to electric tools (though electricity has its footprint). Use manual tools like reel mowers. Mow less frequently—remove ≤⅓ of blade length. Keep grass ≥3 inches in summer to cool soil, preserve moisture, and maintain healthy roots. Research shows higher mowing reduces weeds. Reduce lawn size; replace with low-maintenance native plants and shrubs.

Green Landscaping: Waste Not

Reduce solid waste: compost yard waste (twigs, leaves) instead of bagging. Use finished compost to boost fertility. Other ideas:

• Don't bag clippings unless they'll smother grass—let them decompose in place.
• Buy mulch in bulk to avoid plastic bags.
• Recycle plastic garden pots and flats.
• Share large tools with neighbors.

More on mulch. Get tips for making your own compost.