When you own a home, your yard is a source of pride. However, a pristine lawn comes at a cost. Not only does a homeowner have to spend countless hours and dollars ensuring the grass stays lush and green, lawns consume a startling amount of water and have a generally negative impact on the ecosystem around it.

3. When you own a home, your yard
is a source of pride. However, a
pristine lawn comes at a cost. Not
only does a homeowner have to
spend countless hours and dollars
ensuring the grass stays lush and
green, lawns consume a startling
amount of water and have a
generally negative impact on the
ecosystem around it.

5. Just a few facts about
lawns in America:
American lawns occupy some 30-40 million acres of
land.
Lawnmowers account for some five percent of the
nation’s air pollution.
More than 17 million gallons of fuel are spilled during
the refilling of lawn and garden equipment each year.
That’s more than the oil that the Exxon Valdez spilled!

8. American homeowners use 10 times the amount of
pesticides and fertilizers per acre on their lawns as
farmers do on crops.
The majority of lawn chemicals are wasted due to
inappropriate timing and application. The chemicals
eventually run off and become a major source of water
pollution.
30 to 60 percent of urban fresh water is used on lawns,
and most of it is also wasted due to poor timing and
application.
Instead of going for the traditional lawn, more and more
homeowners are opting to landscape their yard in more
ecologically friendly ways. Here’s how.

11. Xeriscaping in Drought-Prone Areas
Higher-than-average temperatures and patchy
rainfall have lead to drought in many parts of
America. In fact, states including South
Carolina, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Nevada,
California, Washington, and Oregon are all
running out of water. People living in these
areas, and even those living in less drought-
prone states who simply want to save money
on their water bills, can benefit from utilizing
xeriscaping in their yards.

14. Xeriscaping requires little to no irrigation, so
there’s less water waste for lush landscaping.
Plants with similar watering needs are grouped
together, so resources are easily shared.
Xeriscaping also uses drought-resistant plants
including succulents and cacti to help fill empty
space. Mulching is also a key component to
xeriscaping as it helps keep moisture in the soil
and prevents evaporation. Mulching is also
pretty useful when it comes to suppressing
weeds. Before getting started working in your
yard, make sure to purchase a good pair of
garden gloves to use when handling plants and
tools.