Creating a Sustainable Landscape: How to Choose Eco-Friendly Plants and Materials

January 14, 2023 by Marjorie R. Rogers, MA (English), Certified Consultant

As the climate continues to change, homeowners in Calgary need to do their part to create sustainable landscapes. One of the best ways to achieve this is by choosing eco-friendly materials and plants that are native to Alberta. Doing so will help you create a landscape that is both beautiful and beneficial to the environment. Here are some tips on how you can get started.

6 Tips to Choose Eco-Friendly Plants and Materials

The following six tips  will help you choose eco-friendly plants and materials for your Calgary landscape:

1. Assess Your Site

Before selecting any materials or plants, you must assess your site first. Take into consideration things like your soil type, sunlight patterns, and drainage areas as these will play an important role in what plants and materials you should use. Knowing all of these aspects of your site will also help you plan for any potential challenges that could arise when designing your landscape.

2. Choose Native Plants

Native plants are those that occur naturally in Alberta and have evolved over many years to become well-adapted to the local environment. By planting native species, you can reduce the amount of water and maintenance needed for your landscape while also providing food and habitat for local wildlife like birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

3. Incorporate Eco-Friendly Materials

Another way to make your landscape more sustainable is by incorporating eco-friendly materials such as recycled wood or stone pavers made from recycled rubber tires instead of using non-renewable resources such as concrete or lumber from old-growth forests. You can also use rain barrels or cisterns to collect rainwater runoff from your roof which can then be used for watering your garden or lawn during dry spells.  

4. Use Compost

Composting is one of the most effective ways to nourish your soil while reducing waste at the same time. By adding compost to your soil each year, you can increase its nutrient content which will lead to healthier plants with better pest resistance and improved water retention capacity — all of which contribute to a healthier environment overall!

5. Install Mulch

Installing mulch around trees, shrubs, and other plants helps maintain moisture levels in the soil while suppressing weed growth — both of which are essential components of a healthy ecosystem! It’s best to choose organic mulches such as shredded bark or leaves rather than non-organic ones like plastic sheets or gravel since these can cause problems with drainage if not installed properly.

6. Maintain Your Landscape

Lastly, remember that creating a sustainable landscape involves more than just choosing eco-friendly materials and plants – it requires ongoing maintenance! Regularly pruning trees and shrubs helps keep them healthy while removing dead branches reduces fire risk during dry periods; weeding helps prevent invasive species from taking over; fertilizing provides necessary nutrients; and watering keeps everything looking lush all year round! Creating a sustainable landscape doesn’t have to be difficult – all it takes is some planning ahead and making sure you choose eco-friendly plants and materials whenever possible! With these 6 tips in mind, homeowners in Calgary should have no problem creating an attractive yet environmentally friendly outdoor space that everyone can enjoy for years to come! You can contact Project Landscape for help regarding your fence installation.