Sustainable Landscaping in Denver

Sustainable Landscape Charter Partner

Lifescape Colorado brings sustainability to all aspects of your landscaping project, from the materials we use to the native plants we specify. Our commitment to these practices saves our clients money in the long run and has earned Lifescape the title of Sustainable Landscape Charter Partner with the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado.

LifeScape Colorado is your premier residential and commercial landscape design company. We proudly serve properties in Denver and across the entire Colorado Front Range to help bring unique and eye-catching landscapes to life. Whether you need sustainable landscape design ideas, construction, backyard landscape ideas, property care, or ongoing maintenance for your outdoor space, we have the experience, professionalism, and passion to meet your landscaping needs. Keep reading to learn more about creating a more sustainable landscape for your home.

How Does LifeScape Practice Sustainability?

Our property care maintenance division continues its commitment to sustainability through the following practices:

• Native plantings and design/installation of xeric landscapes to conserve water
• Innovative water management with evapotranspiration (ET) smart controllers, homeowner weather systems on each controller, low-flow heads and potential computer-based remote flow monitoring and shut-off
• Indigenous and drought-resistant plants (perennials versus annuals), emphasizing the importance of watering to keep plants healthy
• Organic soil amendments and herbicides incorporating organic material into the existing soil to improve its condition
• Soil amendment to improve soil health, permeability, aeration, and drainage, using organic materials such as composted grass clippings, manure, and fall leaves
• LED low-voltage lighting
• Permeable pavers
• Aligned with USGBC and LEED certifications.

Why Does Sustainability Matter?

Now more than ever, sustainability matters. While many of our environmental threats, such as pollution, urban sprawl, and the effects of climate change, may seem overwhelming, each person can do their part. By striving for a sustainable landscape design and incorporating eco-friendly landscaping ideas into your outdoor space, you can help preserve our natural resources and protect our planet.

Sustainable landscaping practices can have a wide-reaching impact on your local environment and community. Depending on the specific sustainable practices you implement, you can conserve and protect the local water supply, create a habitat for local wildlife and birds, cut your landscaping costs, and even protect your yard by preventing erosion and runoff. Dealing with perennial weeds can be particularly challenging, but sustainable practices like mulching and using native plants can help effectively manage these persistent, deep-rooted weeds.

Once your neighbors see how beautiful a sustainable yard can look, you might even encourage them to follow the same path, and as a result, make an even more positive impact on your community. Sustainable landscapes also benefit commercial properties by engaging environmentally conscious customers and reducing monthly expenses. There are many simple and effective ways to make your landscape more sustainable.

Sustainable Landscape Design Practices with Native Plants

Here are just a few ways that you can make your outdoor space more sustainable:

• Recycling: Save some of your construction materials from ending up in a landfill by reusing spare bricks and extra lumber. You can also strive to use more recycled materials throughout your design.
• Composting: When disposing of your waste, keep the organic materials, like banana peels and fruit cores. These organic materials are rich in nutrients and can be used to supplement your garden soil.
• Water conservation: Rain barrels can be placed on your property, from the front yard to the back, to collect and store rainwater that can later be used to irrigate your yard or garden. Preventing runoff is also important as this sends excess water from storms from your yard into other spaces that may absorb your fertilizer or excess chemicals. To help prevent runoff, avoid solid surfaces and you permeable surfaces, like gravel or decomposed granite, for any of your paving needs. Additionally, planting more trees and shrubs helps to secure your soil and prevent erosion.
• Renewable energy: Incorporating renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, as part of your landscape design can help you conserve vital resources, reduce your carbon footprint, and even save you on your energy bills.
• Native plants: Using native plants in your landscape design can save you both time and money. Native shrubs, trees, and flowers, like Indian paintbrush, require far less maintenance time because they’ve evolved to thrive in your local climate. They can also serve as a habitat or food source for local wildlife, further connecting your property to the natural environment.
  • Buffalo grass: Consider using buffalo grass for your lawn. It is highly resilient to foot traffic and wear, making it ideal for areas with heavy use. Buffalo grass is also a native grass lawn that blends seamlessly into varied natural landscapes. You can even plant additional flowers in the buffalo grass lawn to enhance its beauty and ecological value.

Concerned about potential drought conditions and water conservation?

Another great way to conserve water and maintain a beautiful Colorado landscape is to consider Xeriscaping. With Colorado’s semi-arid climate, water-wise landscaping incorporates low-water-use plants and other water conservation tactics to create a sustainable landscape. Did you know that to help make low-water-use in landscaping an easily recognized concept, Denver Water coined the word “Xeriscape” in 1981?

According to Denver Water there are seven principles to the Xeriscape concept:

1. Planning and designing.
2. Limiting turf areas.
3. Selecting and zoning plants appropriately.
4. Improving the soil.
5. Using mulch.
6. Irrigating efficiently.
7. Maintaining your landscape

7. Maintaining your landscape.

Designed properly, Xeriscape in Denver can be easy to care for, colorful, and lush.

Design Your Sustainable Landscape with LifeScape

Environmental sustainability is extremely valuable. Now more than ever, we all need to do our part to conserve our natural resources and protect our planet — homeowners and landscaping companies included. While it may not seem like much, a sustainable landscape can greatly impact your local community.

Sustainable landscaping can reduce your impact on the environment, reduce your need to use excessive fertilizers and chemicals, conserve water, and even provide a habitat for local flora and fauna. By aiming for a more sustainable landscape, you can better integrate your garden design and overall landscape design with your local community and the unique environment around you.

Contact us today at (303) 831-8310 or info@lifescapecolorado.com to learn more about sustainable landscaping practices and all of our premier services. With just a call or click, we can begin transforming your space into an award-winning landscape.