Recycled
Lumber: Using recycled wood and plastics for outdoor projects are low maintenance
alternative’s that resist pests and will not rot.
Solar
Panel: Solar panels and
lights provide a free power source
and reduce greenhouse gases
derived from the burning of fossil
fuels.
Recycled
Shingles: Using shingles made from recycled tires are just as good as traditional
shingles. Using them helps to divert this material from landfills and gives
them a new use.
Rain
Barrel: Rainwater can be harvested from the rooftop by linking the downspout
to a rain barrel, underground cistern or water garden feature such as a pond.
Shade
Trees: Strategic placement of trees around the home can help save energy
by providing cool shade in the summer and
shelter from the winter wind.
Organic
Gardening: Paying attention to the health and vitality of your soil through
the addition of compost and other organic gardening methods will help both the
productivity of your harvest as well as the environment.
Composting:
Composting kitchen food
scraps and garden leaves are excellent ways to conserve natural resources and
create compost, the most important ingredient for good garden soil.
Running
Water: Prevent mosquitoes from
living in your water features by circulating with a pump. The noise made by
flowing water is soothing and helps dull the noise from local traffic.
Porous
Pavement: Allows rainfall to infiltrate the ground replenishing groundwater
supplies important for rivers, wetlands and clean drinking water.
Lawns:
Grass helps control soil erosion and helps to filter both air and water by absorbing
carbon dioxide and other chemicals while replenishing oxygen in the air we breathe.
Using a push lawn mower saves energy and the environment by reducing both air
and noise pollution.
Know
Your Species: Exotic species can add beauty and variety to your garden.
But take care, some species can become invasive if they escape to our natural
waters and woodlands. Choose contained areas for your exotics; or better yet,
consider using native plants.
Stream
& Pond: A pond and babbling brook bring tranquility to the backyard.
It can store clean rain water for irrigation around the yard, provide habitat
for wildlife or be a peaceful
place to dangle your feet.
Wildlife:
Your garden can be a natural refuge for wildlife and a source of enjoyment for
the whole family. The trees, shrubs and flowering plants along with water features
provide food and habitat for song-birds, butterflies, and other beneficial species.
Features like bird boxes and bat houses can also attract an interesting diversity
of wildlife.
Wetlands:
Wetlands have growing plants to filter and polish water runoff. The water that
comes out of the wetland is cleaner than when it went in. Frogs love wetlands!
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Energy
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| We’ve
all heard how climate change is caused from greenhouse gas emissions.
Reducing the consumption of energy slows the production of these harmful
gases. Using high efficiency electrical components, such as LED lighting
and magnetic driven pumps, is economical and can help reduce the production
of greenhouse gases. Solar powered lights and push mowers are emission
free. |
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Land
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| Soil
erosion and growing landfill sites are common issues for southern Ontario
cities, towns and rural areas. Every time it rains, our local streams
can turn to mud. Growing plants stabilizes the soil and can eliminate
land erosion. This helps keep our local waterways clean after a rainfall.
Recycling instead of discarding materials helps save landfill space and
helps provide valuable products for the garden including rich compost,
mulch and building materials. |
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Water
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| An
average home of 2,000 ft2 in the GTA can produce about 30,000 gallons
of rain water from its rooftop in a year. Harvesting this rainwater by
trapping in a backyard pond, rain barrel or cistern can help with watering
the plants and grass in the yard. Slowly releasing this water into the
ground helps replenish the water table. Water is a precious resource,
and it comes from your rooftop for free! |
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Wildlife
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| Birds,
frogs, bats and squirrels bring life to the backyard. Not only are they
interesting to watch, they also act as natural predators for insect pests
like mosquitoes and earwigs. Attracting them is easy when you select the
right varieties of plants. Choose your plants carefully, and watch out
for invaders! Some species of plants and animals can be invasive if they
escape from your garden, so please keep them contained. |
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Design
Place your
cursor over the map for details!
CLICK
HERE to dowload PDF file of layout design
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