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.
Our maintenance division continues their 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)
- Organic soil amendments and herbicides
- 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.
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. There are many simple and effective ways to make your landscape more sustainable.
Sustainable Landscape Design Practices
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 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.
- Native plants: using native plants in your landscape design can save you both time and money. Native shrubs, trees, and flowers 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.
Concerned about potential drought conditions?
Another great way to conserve water and maintain a beautiful landscape is to consider Xeriscape. With Colorado’s semi-arid climate, water-wise landscaping incorporates low-water-use plants to create a sustainable landscape. Did you know that in order 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:
“….planning and designing, limiting turf areas, selecting and zoning plants appropriately, improving the soil, using mulch, irrigating efficiently and maintaining the landscape.”
– Denver Water
Designed properly, Xeriscape can be easy to care for, colorful, and lush.