Eco-friendly yards are easier, and more important, than you might think. If you’re looking for a plan that’s proven to create an eco-friendly yard, then you’ve come to the right place.
Our homes are a reflection of ourselves. Our personal efforts radiate through the interiors of our homes, the color of the fresh coat of paint on the outside, and the verdant yards that surround them. But what efforts can you undertake to make your home a reflection of your commitment to a healthier planet?
Through my four easy-to-remember and implement steps, you can transform your yard into a thriving ecosystem that promotes pollinators and enriches biodiversity. And, it may be our best bet to truly make a difference.
As I write this, we recently set multiple consecutive days of global record heat. As individuals, we simply can’t wait for governments and corporations to do what’s right.
Collectively, as homeowners, we have the ability, in the U.S. alone, to affect change on over 40+ million acres of lawn on our own properties. Turf grass is the single largest irrigated crop in the U.S. according to NASA and it’s our best bet to make a difference.
Our lawns are not native and they are energy intensive. We mow it, blow it, rake it, and aerate it. We water it, fertilize it, and apply herbicides and pesticides to it. There is a better way. Even if you want to keep some of the lawn there is still a way to make a significant difference.
Pollinators: Unsung Heroes of Our Eco-Friendly Yards
Before we jump into the steps for success, let’s take a moment to reflect on the unsung heroes of our ecosystem – the pollinators.
Bees, butterflies, birds, ants, wasps, and countless other creatures are hard at work behind the scenes, facilitating plant reproduction. Their tireless efforts are also responsible for the variety of fruits, nuts, and vegetables gracing our plates. Just think for a minute, one in every three bites we eat we have the thank a pollinator. Their importance can’t be understated.
Whether we realize it completely, or not, insects account for 80% of all animal life on Earth. They are crucial to a functioning ecosystem, of which we are a part.
Both the number and diversity of insects are declining globally. However, with the 4 steps outlined below, you can create an eco-friendly yard and be a contributor to the protection of our pollinators and other animal life. In fact, we may actually be the only hope to do so. We can make a difference with every single choice on our properties.
The 4-Step Eco-Friendly Plan to Go Native
1) Remove Invasive Plants
Our first step is tackling invasive plants. These non-native species have a competitive advantage in foreign environments, outpacing native plants and disrupting biodiversity. Some common culprits include the likes of English Ivy, Kudzu, Bradford Pear, Honeysuckle, Burning Bush, Butterfly Bush, and Autumn Olive. In fact, the USDA estimates there are nearly 5,000 non-native, invasive species in the U.S. Wow.
Unfortunately, a lot of non-native plant species are introduced intentionally from other countries by people with good intentions. Invasive plants are often used to “improve” wildlife habitat, stabilize or prevent soil erosion, beautify yards and homes, provide recreational opportunities like hunting or fishing, or for many other reasons. There more than likely was a native plant that could have provided what was needed.
To effectively remove these invaders, you may need to employ a combination of methods like hand-pulling, cutting, and bagging. Persistence is key here, as invasive plants are notorious for their tenacity and can regrow from even the smallest fragments.
As you get a leg up on them, it’s worth getting really good at identifying what they look like when they are seedlings as they’re far easier to pull. I know my neighbors have thought I was a little baffling over the years as I’d run outside after a good rain, and often while it was still drizzling, to pull invasives out of my gardens.
You also want to make sure you aren’t pulling any native plants out of your gardens. Identifying them when they are young can be a bit tricky for a little while until you get good at it. A good resource is The Gardener’s Guide to Prairie Plants by Neil Diboll & Hilary Cox because it shows the plants at all stages of their life cycle.
>>> Learn more about Invasive Plants
2) Plant Native Plants
The eco-friendly yard requires you to embrace step two, which is the need for you to embrace native plants. These species evolved naturally in your region and co-evolved with native pollinators. These plants perfectly adapt to your local climate, soil, and pollinators. These may be harder to find at your local nurseries because, at the moment, demand is higher than the supply.
A recent report showed some very encouraging news regarding our efforts to an eco-friendly approach to our yards. Estimates state that anywhere from 80-107 million people purchased native plants recently for their yards. A new study in the journal HortTechnology finds that 60% of US homeowners bought a native plant in 2022 and spend 80% more on plants than do their conventional counterparts.
Supply will eventually meet our demand.
Keep asking at your local nursery, avoid big box stores, and seek out native plant sales and native plant suppliers. I also highly recommend that you avoid nativars and cultivars.
Planting natives is like setting up a buffet for pollinators – you’re providing them with the nourishment they need. What’s more, you’re encouraging biodiversity and conserving resources, as native plants typically require less water and care than non-native species.
>>> Learn more about Native Plants
3) Banish Pesticides (and Herbicides)
Next, we move on to eliminating herbicides and pesticides. Although these chemicals may seem like quick fixes for unwanted weeds and pests, they can wreak havoc on pollinators, soil health, and water quality. And, once you establish a fully functioning biome, or ecosystem, in most cases, they are unnecessary.
There are numerous eco-friendly alternatives to explore. Manual weed removal might require a bit more effort, but it’s a small price to pay for a healthier planet. Natural pest repellents and beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, can help maintain a balanced, healthy ecosystem. Remember, some “pests” are necessary for a functioning ecosystem! Learn more about attracting Dragonflies as nature’s pest control.
While I am opposed to pesticide use because it is so philosophically against what we’re trying to do for our eco-friendly approach, I do feel slightly different about herbicides.
Note on herbicides. It is important to understand these are managed systems that we’re trying to create on our properties. When we are battling 5,000+ invasive species that inhabit the U.S. or trying to create a prairie where there is turf grass, there may be a need for some form of herbicide usage.
Does the end justify the means? More than likely. Glyphosate (Roundup) is a contact killer. While it may remain in the soil for a short period of time, it does not kill plants via soil contact or absorption.
It is important to understand the usage of glyphosate and take all safety precautions, limit usage, and only apply on calm days. However, if you purchase a property with an acre of pachysandra you want to return to native plants or intend to convert an area of lawn into a prairie or you’re battling a fenceline of honeysuckle, you may need some site management help in terms of an herbicide.
Take a look at this first season prairie (image below) I seeded directly into dead turfgrass that I killed with two rounds of responsibly applied Roundup treatments after one scalped mowing. I can attest that the bumblebees, dragonflies, fireflies, birds, rabbits, and one pesky deer that are using it this year are benefiting from it and have no idea I used Roundup to kill the grass. I do not use any form of lawn treatments
>>> Learn more about Banishing Pesticides
4) Reduce Lawn Size
Our final step involves downsizing your lawn. Traditional lawns, while often seen as a symbol of suburban bliss, are resource-intensive and offer little benefit to our hardworking pollinators or other wildlife.
Consider dedicating a portion of your lawn to a diverse garden instead. Filled with native flowers, shrubs, and trees, this space can provide valuable habitat and food sources for pollinators. Alternatively, you could also try your hand at growing a vegetable garden and using organic methods.
I have several areas on my 5 acres that I am allowing to grow. There are some caveats. You will not get a pristine, native restored area just by “letting it go”. As I’ve mentioned before, these are managed systems. We’re battling a lot of invasive plants and even native plants that can be aggressive.
I go into more detail in another post on the benefits of reducing the size of your lawn but, in short, I currently have 5 areas on my land lab, er, I mean property. These areas were all just monoculture turf grass that the previous homeowner had treated 6 times a year!
Final Thoughts
By implementing these four eco-friendly steps, you’re not only enhancing your yard – you’re contributing to a more vibrant planet, creating sanctuaries for pollinators, and bolstering the biodiversity of our local ecosystems. This eco-friendly yard transformation isn’t just a win for you or the pollinators; it’s a win for us all.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together, we can make a difference, one garden at a time.Don’t forget to share this blog post with other eco-conscious homeowners. Let’s keep our planet buzzing with life!
I’m Patrick! Let’s go native!
Related Resources
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Need Help Going Native?
There are a lot of “rules” we’ve been told over the years and some hard-and-fast beliefs that we’ve developed as homeowners and gardeners. If you’d like help to understand a more eco-friendly, natural, and beneficial method, please reach out to learn more, and we can go native together!