How to be a Sustainable Landscaper

The climate crisis is impacting landscaping practices around the world. Gardeners and agricultural professionals alike are attempting to minimise atmospheric and surface-level pollution with eco-conscious maintenance techniques. The landscaping sector directly impacts natural resources and greenhouse gas emissions.

Both individuals and business owners are setting emission reduction goals to improve environmental conservation. Atmospheric preservation may prevent adverse climate change effects, and sustainable landscaping will help to preserve natural resources for future generations.

What is Sustainable Landscaping?

Sustainable landscaping is an environmental maintenance technique which aims to create aesthetic natural regions in balance with the local climate.

Sustainable landscapers generally avoid using synthetic additives like pesticides. Pesticides and synthetic fertilisers disrupt local ecosystems by polluting natural resources. Gardeners substitute contaminants with natural alternatives like compost soil. Compost is nutrient-rich and contains nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus and potassium.

Sustainable landscaping practices can effectively reduce adverse environmental impacts.

How does Landscaping Impact the Environment?

Landscaping directly affects biodiversity, resource preservation, water management, and atmospheric conditions. Unsustainable landscaping practices can increase local greenhouse gas emissions, and cutting vegetated areas may reduce the Earth’s natural filtration processes.

Preserving trees and reducing deforestation can also significantly minimise atmospheric pollution. One tree can absorb and filter 25kg of greenhouse gas emissions each year. Landscaping can also directly impact freshwater conservation efforts.

1. Interpret Sustainable Landscaping Needs

Professionals can improve the sustainability and success of their projects by strategically developing a landscaping plan. Individuals should understand their project needs and requirements before changing a landscape. Different projects require varying resources and preparation is essential.

Large-scale landscapes may require heavy equipment like excavators and tractors. Landscapers can switch to environmentally friendly petrol alternatives or electric battery-powered equivalents.

2. Add Rainwater Harvesting Systems

Rainwater harvesting systems hold rainwater in collection barrels and pumps move the water directly to irrigation systems

Advanced systems may also pump storm water through purifiers to remove sediment and contaminants. Using rainwater to support landscapes can significantly reduce freshwater exploitation, and reduce rainwater runoff, which improves marine conservation.

Rainwater often carries high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus to oceans which cause algal blooms and deplete marine oxygen levels. Preventing eutrophication with rainwater harvesting systems significantly increases landscape sustainability.

3. Plant Native Species

Another sustainable landscaping technique is planting native species. Native plants are most compatible with their natural habitats, and, unlike foreign species, native plants require minimal additives such as water and fertiliser.

Native species also maintain efficient photosynthesis processes and filter more carbon dioxide. Increasing natural carbon filtration practices minimises the enhanced greenhouse effect.

4. Use Permaculture Agricultural Practices

Permaculture is the opposite of monocropping. Overplanting one species can deplete soil nutrients and cause erosion, while permaculture integrates land, resources, and the environment to stimulate plant growth.

Landscapers can support efficient growth processes by planting mutually beneficial species. Some place low-light plants underneath leafy, high-light species to naturally support photosynthesis. They may also plant pest-resistant plants on landscapes to minimise degradation. Using natural pest-resistance methods reduces pesticide use and aquatic pollution.

5. Preserve your Soil Quality

Landscapers can reduce erosion by rotating native plants. They might also study local weather patterns and climate change effects to protect vegetation during severe weather.

Preserving landscaping soil quality can improve nutrient levels without using additives. It also prevents storm damage and improves resource conservation efforts. Individuals can create sustainable landscapes to decrease atmospheric and surface-level degradation.