Innovation has come a long way. Homeowners, business owners, and landscape contractors are always searching for better ways to improve their landscape designs. The factor that stands out the most is durability.
In the past few years, residential and commercial landscapes leaned toward eco-friendly landscapes with recycled material fences, native plants, and manufactured drainage. In 2022, these trends remain persistent, providing a solid foundation for landscapes that are long lasting and low maintenance.
Let’s look at a few strategies you can explore to emulate the landscaping design trends of 2022.
Low Maintenance Fencing
The truth about low maintenance fencing is that it costs more than ready-to-install, traditional wood fencing you see at retailers. This year, residential and commercial contractors recommend green or eco-friendly fencing options in 2022. The eco-friendly fences provide resistance to harsh weather conditions, anti-graffiti surfacing, and long-lasting material. These materials are made of vinyl, wood, polyethylene, and other construction material.
Polyethylene is a plastic used in retail and grocery bags, bottles, toys, and tactical vests for law enforcement. However, when the material is manufactured into fencing, it stands just as strong as any hand-built stone or wooden fence.
Speaking of which, low maintenance fencing comes in a variety of colors and designs. Many retailers offer vinyl and polyethylene fencing in emulated wood and stone fences. These fences can be easily cleaned with soap and water. Use a pressure washer gentle to moderate cycle to clean stubborn grime from the fences.
Outdoor Eco-Friendly Furniture
When it comes to outdoor furniture, take the same vinyl or polyethylene approach when selecting outdoor furniture. They require low maintenance cleaning options but may cost a little more. Search for deals at retail stores.
If you’re working with a high budget, go with metal benches, chairs, and tables. Wooden furniture can last for years when sealed with moisture resistant paint. In addition, you can change cushion designs whenever you choose.
Why Drainage is Important to the Landscape?
An eco-friendly landscape needs efficient and effective landscape drainage systems. Poorly drained landscapes cause sinkholes, saturated soil, fungi, pests, and other nuisances that’s unpleasant to residential and commercial owners.
Try these eco-friendly solutions for proper landscape drainage:
- French Drain System – These systems are a combination of methods and materials. First, a trench will be dug (inclined and away from sensitive areas). Next, piping is installed in the trenches or channels. Install grates on areas where water is likely to stand or runoff. Cover the pipes (PVC or corrugated) with gravel and the soil that was extracted from the dig.
- Rock or Vegetated Swale – Swales are creative drainage methods that use rock or plants to manage water.
- Rock Swale – Dig, level-off, or incline (also called grading) the ground. Some contractors use a roofing paper or some protective covering on the soil before they place the rocks on the swale. Consult a landscape professional for more developed projects.
- Vegetated Swale – This type of swale is much like a rain garden (a low elevated garden where runoff water stands and is eventually absorbed by vegetation). Using the same method as a rock swale, install plants along an inclined, leveled, or low elevated ground. Use native plants to better serve vegetated swales.
Add Color to the Landscape
It’s not too late in the year to install those plants that bloom in March and April. Spring is on the way, and the soil is almost ready for annuals, bi-annuals, lawns, and perennials. Get an early start and install plants onto the landscape. Blooms are vulnerable to the off and on cold snaps, so you should install the plants with a lot of green on them. They will eventually put out when warmer weather becomes more consistent.
Eventually, the color will come out. This provides a haven for natural wildlife to flourish while giving your landscape a natural, sweet smell of nature.
Alternatively, you can transition from a traditional driveway to a lush green driveway using permeable pavers. Pavers allow rainwater to soak beneath the surface which helps avoid flooding and washout.
Understanding How Eco-Friendly Helps the Environment
Eco-friendly options give us efficient methods to cosmetically design and nurture the Earth we hold so dear. Materials such as vinyl and polyethylene are recycled material turned into furniture. Using eco-friendly material and using eco-friendly methods in your landscapes, makes you more efficient as a home or business owner. The eco-friendly trends provide consumers with expensive yet short-term costs but provides durability and efficiency.
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