Green Garden & Yard

To build a green garden at your yard, there are several things to be done, and here are some tips. 

1. Choose wisely
How to choose the plants for your garden.  Ideally, all your plants, flowers and grasses will be native to the area.  Naturally, this practice is better for the local eco-system, contributing proper nutrients to the local wildlife and other plants, while being more likely to be self-sustaining and survive longer in the environment.  In addition, choosing native plants means that shipment is local, decreasing the footprint of your yard, in some cases, dramatically.
In many places, including most of California, this means choosing natural bushes and flowers, and fewer grasses.  This has the side-effect of less lawn mowing, and thus less carbon emission as a secondary effect of your yard.
2. Conserve
With the many existing water sources to water your yard, take as little of the municipal water as possible!  You have several options here, any of which can greatly reduce your water consumption, and even completely cover your garden’s water needs.  First off, there’s rainwater harvesting.  Many collection systems exist, harvesting roof run-off in particular, which is stored in barrels or containers, and then routed to the garden.  But that’s not the only way to harvest unused water!  In hot, humid areas, air-conditioner condensation can be collected and stored.  In summer months, this method can collect several gallons per day in a single-family home, plenty to put a dent in that water usage for the yard.  Finally, there is another method that, with an initial investment, could take care of the whole yard: grey water recycling.  This means taking the drainage water from things like the shower and kitchen sink, running it through a filtration system, and routing it to the back yard.  This water could not be used for potable water, but with filtration, can be perfectly healthy for your plants.  The system has more complicated installation, but the amount of water that could be re-used is enormous.
In addition, installation of drip irrigation systems, which enables more targeted water distribution, will help conserve water whether or not it’s been recycled.
3. Site placement
Make the best use of your yard or garden for the home, too!  Reduce wind by placing taller trees in the wind direction of the home.  Increase shade and temperature stability by placing deciduous (seasonal) trees to the south of the home (if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere).  Make sure to consider how much sun each plant needs before deciding where it will, go, otherwise, you could waste water keeping it alive, or lose it for lack of sun.
A good landscaper will be well-versed in these site considerations, but it’s important for you to consider what you’re looking for so that you can bring the right goals to the table for planning and design.
4. Grow your own
…food!  If you have the time, having a vegetable garden is a wonderful way to reduce your personal footprint, and enjoy the fruits of your land!  Check what veggies grow best in your area, and create a plot.  Alternate seasonal vegetables for the best use of the soil.  Of course, whether you are growing food or flowers, keep a compost bin going, to create your own fertilizer.  Learn more about composting here.
Whether you’re doing a window garden or major landscaping project, there are tons of ways to make sure you’re choosing the most eco-friendly options.