cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/18672298
Homeowners are increasingly re-wilding their homes with native plants, experts say
The days of the perfect-looking yard – often lawns that guzzle copious amounts of water to stay green – may soon be gone.
Homeowners are increasingly opting to “re-wilding” their homes, incorporating native plants and decreasing the amount of lawn care to make their properties more sustainable and encourage natural ecosystems to recover, according to Plan It Wild, a New York-based native landscape design company.
About 30% of the water an average American family consumes is used for the outdoors, including activities such as watering lawns and gardens, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In the West, where water is absorbed almost immediately by the sun or thirsty vegetation, outdoor water usage can increase to an average of 60% for the average family.
As concerns for the environment – as well as increasing utility bills – grow, so do homeowners’ preferences for how they decorate their yards.
I’m something of a rewilder myself, and I have to say, even in the PNW, establishing native plants takes a lot of water the first few summers at least. Maybe not as much as a lush green lawn all summer, but that’s not the standard in my neighborhood anyway.
Plant in Fall and start from the shady areas, creating more shady areas as you go. Mulch with leaves if possible, or chip drop if not. Still a lot more fun than mowing.