Resource Savings & Portland Landscaping: Tips from the Professionals
Did you know the landscape and design of your property can go a long way toward water savings as well as waste reduction? One of the many things we love about our hometown is the dedication to resource savings and sustainability that the Portland population has. This includes the many community vegetable gardens in the area, our commitment to using native plants, which are simple to maintain, use less water, hold soil in place well and protect the quality of your ground water, and much more.
Below you will find some helpful ideas regarding incorporating some eco-friendly elements into your landscaping. Landscape East & West is on hand to help you discover how you can incorporate these ideas into your current landscaping design. Contact us today to speak with one of our Portland landscaping professionals!
Rain Garden Design
A rain garden is a basin filled with native plants that catches and percolates runoff water that would otherwise end up in the local storm drains. Rain gardens also help reduce the amount of standing water on your property, which in turn reduces the mosquito population and increases the beneficial insect population.
Rainwater Harvesting
Homeowners often collect rainwater to water their yards during dry seasons when the demand for water is greater, but the harvested water can also be used for washing cars or watering the garden. By tapping into your own supply first, you won’t have to pay your public water supplier as much. Below is a photo of an above-ground cistern, which is a great choice if you live in a rainy area – like Portland! This collects rainwater from your gutters.
Another option is an above-ground tank. If you want your water collection method out of sight, have a landscape contractor install an underground tank according to the needs and demands of your home.
Green Roof
A green roof can help make your home more energy efficient. The vegetation on the roof absorbs the sun and acts as an insulator in the winter. When it rains, a green roof slows storm water runoff and filters pollutants from the water. It can ultimately save you thousands of dollars in energy costs and improve the life span of your roof.
Hardscapes
When planning an outdoor patio or driveway installation, consider permeable pavers, which pose several environmental benefits over other types of hardscaping. They not only create a flat surface for outdoor living, but they also help reduce the ambient temperature and filter rainwater (rather than simply let it run off) to minimize soil erosion. Below is a custom permeable paver driveway we designed.
Vegetable Gardens
Incorporating raised vegetable beds into your landscape reduces the size of your lawn and encourages better soil drainage. You can use a naturally rot-resistant wood, like cedar or juniper to build the beds. Be sure to avoid pressure treated lumber because it can leach toxins into the soil. Below is a custom grape trellis we designed and built for a local homeowner.
Did you know that flowers make good vegetable partners because they attract beneficial insects that pollinate? For example, you can pair Echinacea with herbs or clematis with beans. When you plan your garden, be sure to choose flowers and vegetables with the same growing requirements. The edible garden below includes beneficial flowers.
These are just a few of the many resource savings options the award-winning team at Landscape East & West can assist you with. Conserving natural resources can be simple, if you have the right landscaping plan in place!
