Rule #1 of sustainable landscaping: beautiful is smart is beautiful.
And when we say smart, we don’t mean it in the techie kind of way. We mean smart as in working in harmony with the environment instead of taking advantage of it or trying to make it supposedly better. Sustainable landscaping is all about using what nature gives you, and offering a little something in return.
It doesn’t take much to get used to this way of thinking either. It’s mostly about small things and adjustments like clever plant choices or tricks to catch rain.
We’ve collected some of the easiest things you can do today. Moreover, they cost next to zero. Read on!
1. Use Native Plants
This one will come as relief: enough with costly orders of fragile, exotic plants that need way too much tender loving care (and even more money) to survive. And NEVER thrive.
Sustainable landscaping works the other way round. It relies on what’s readily available where you are, and not on the Red Sea coast or some other place halfway around the world.
Native plants are called native because they thrive in your local climate, meaning they need less water, fertiliser, and pest control than exotic species. They’re well adapted to exactly the kind of weather and soil that they grow on.
They also get along well with insects instead of repelling and killing them off. And they don’t have to be ugly either!
Popular Australian natives like kangaroo paw, grevillea, and bottlebrush add vibrant colour and texture while attracting pollinators like bees and birds.
Pro Tip: Planting flowers and shrubs with similar drinking habits together makes everyone’s life easier. You won’t have to overwater some just to keep others alive. Plus, it helps your plants thrive naturally, since they’ll all be getting as little (or as much) moisture as they need.
2. Swap Lawn Space for Ground Cover
Grass is nice alright, but let’s be honest—it drinks too much water, and mowers feed on gasoline. The latter not being the most eco-friendly thing you can imagine!
But you don’t have to give up on a lawn either.
Swapping out the grass for ground covers like creeping thyme, native violets, or dichondra makes much more sense. These plants need less water to stay green, and they won’t mind getting trampled nearly as much.
Plus, with summers getting hotter and drier, classic lawns tend to easily dry out and end up as patchy yellow eyesores, no matter how much you water them.
That’s exactly what happened to Harry, a tree removal expert in Adelaide (Australia) and landscaping enthusiast. After last summer, she decided enough was enough. So she tore out the dead grass and replaced it with dichondra.
“It bounced back in a way my lawn never could,” Eva shares. “Now, even during the hotter weeks, it stays green-ish and relatively healthy without needing constant babysitting. If there’s anything better than a lawn, it’s a no-mow lawn! This is hands-down one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for my yard.”
3. Install a Rainwater Collection System
I couldn’t find any data for Australia, but did you know that lawns guzzle up a whopping third of the total residential water usage?
All the while we are just letting the rainwater go to waste, evaporate, or cause drainage issues on our properties.
As it happens, rainwater harvesting is one of the easiest ways to make your landscaping sustainable. All it takes is a rain barrel or tank under your downspouts to collect runoff, which you can then use to water plants during dry spells.
The benefits don’t end there. Rainwater is free of chemicals and will do its job without tapping into the municipal water.
4. Add Mulch to Reduce Water Loss
Mulch may make your garden look pretty, but its true strengths lie elsewhere. Namely, it’s probably the #1 ingredient of sustainable landscaping.
A thick layer around your plants will help the soil stay moist, block out weeds, and improve soil health as it breaks down.
And we’re not talking about gravel or pebbles here. (Though they also have a role to play. More on that below!) Organic mulch like bark chips, straw, or compost is perfect for most garden beds and will give your plants the extra boost they need to thrive.
5. Choose Permeable Hardscaping
Hardscaping is the key part of any landscape, but not all materials will add to its sustainability. Things like concrete and asphalt can prevent water from soaking into the ground.
On the other hand, permeable materials like gravel, brick, or porous pavers don’t just let water soak through. They can also help cool your yard by allowing moisture to evaporate. In places with heavy rains, they’re a smart choice for keeping storm water from overwhelming drains or pooling in unwanted areas.
Long story short: instead of creating runoff problems, permeable materials let the water settle back into the ground where it belongs.
6. Go for Drip Irrigation
Time and again, it’s about water usage.
Traditional sprinklers don’t just use tonnes of water. They waste tonnes too, especially in hot and dry climates.
The fix here are drip irrigation systems. They do the same job in a much more economical kind of way. Instead of throwing water around, they deliver it directly to the roots, where it’s needed most. Moreover, the water can’t evaporate as easily when it goes into the ground without landing on leaves.
These systems are easy to set up and can save up to 80% of the water you’d normally use. In other words, they’ll go easy on your wallet too!
7. Plant Trees Strategically
Trees are more than just green statues—they can help lower your energy bills too.
In summer, strategically placed deciduous trees on the north and west sides of your home can block the sun, keeping your house cooler. When they get bare in winter, these same trees let just enough sunlight through not to make your space colder than it already is.
Evergreen trees, on the other hand, are ideal for shielding your home from chilly winds, acting like a natural barrier against the cold.
8. Compost Yard Waste
Don’t throw out those grass clippings and fallen leaves. Turn them into compost instead. It’s an easy way to feed your soil without relying on heavy chemistry.
It cuts down on waste and gives your plants the nutrients they need to thrive, creating a natural cycle as a boon for your whole garden.
9. Embrace Biodiversity
Sustainable landscaping isn’t just about saving resources. Its main point is to create a thriving ecosystem where every plant and creature have a role to play. It’s called permaculture!
By planting many different flowers, shrubs, and trees, you can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies while also giving a home to helpful insects like ladybugs.
A diverse mix of plants doesn’t just look beautiful. It creates a stronger, more resilient garden, which is more important than ever!