Jolly Lane Greenhouse reveals ways to plan an Eco-conscious landscape design

July 10, 2012 - PRLog -- RAPID CITY, S.D. – Generally a going green initiative is a program that works to create a culture of environmental responsibility, decisions and lifestyles.

Included in this environmentally friendly lifestyle are not only businesses, architecture and technology, but also Eco-conscious landscaping. Incorporating Eco-conscious garden design can help save energy, water and contamination. Jolly Lane Greenhouse in Rapid City SD offers a few suggestions to create a plant and landscape design that can reduce your environmental footprint.

Use native plants in the area
Already adapted to the area, native plants are useful to add to a landscape design because they are already accustomed to the levels of rainfall, temperature and sunlight, and therefore these plants will require less water and less maintenance than exotic plants. Native plants are naturally resistant to the pests and diseases in the area, which reduces the need for herbicides and pesticides.

Try Mulching with various landscape plants or compost
Using bark, rock, yard clippings, compost, or straw around plants in your landscape design will encourage healthy trees and plants, and will increase soil moisture preservation. “If you apply mulch in the spring, it will make gardening landscaping easier in the summer by cutting down on watering and maintenance, and can also help build nutrients in the soil,” said Tim Sime, owner of Jolly Lane Greenhouse in Rapid City, SD. “As a result your trees and plants will be healthy without the use of chemicals.”  

Irrigate with Rain Barrels
Reduce storm water run-off by emptying water into rain barrels. This is an excellent Eco-conscious way to cut back on municipal water usage, and serves as a chemical free water source for plants and trees.

Reduce Lawn mower Emissions
Although it requires more time, manual reel mowers are a clean, energy efficient way to have an Eco-conscious landscape design—and you can exercise at the same time! If your lawn is large and requires a power mower, changing the oil and air filter frequently will help to emit fewer fumes from the engine.

Plant the right type of tree
Depending on the region you live in, some trees will be more beneficial to the climate, air quality, pollution, and energy costs than others in your Eco-conscious landscape design. Planting Evergreen trees is a natural windbreak and living fence against cold winter winds and will reduce your heat usage. Planting shade trees will cool your home in the summer and will therefore reduce the need to turn on the air conditioning. In addition, the leaves from the shade trees can be used as Eco-conscious compost for plants.

An Eco-conscious garden landscape design can increase energy efficiency while minimizing garden maintenance. Start reducing your energy consumption and water usage with the help of gardening and landscaping professionals at Jolly Lane Greenhouse in Rapid City South Dakota.

For more suggestions on landscape design from Jolly Lane Greenhouse, visit http://www.jollylane.com/greenhouse/landscaping/ .

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About Jolly Lane Greenhouse
Jolly Lane Greenhouse is open all year, providing novice gardeners and experienced green thumbs alike with high-quality seasonal plants, trees, and herbs, seasonal decorations, and expert advice on landscape design and plant care. For more information about the Rapid City garden center, visit http://www.jollylane.com/greenhouse/.