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How to Make a Landscape Green: 10 Best Ways.

By Gardengates, eHow, an online knowledge resource

1. Plant native plants. No matter where you live, planting native plants will mean you have low maintenance: you can use local soil and need make little or no provisions for your climate. You will also be providing homes and food for your local birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

2. Re-use water. Set up a water collection system to harvest rain water and re-use gray water from your house.

3. Add green roofs and/or green walls. These will minimize water waste and provide free, natural insulation for buildings. They also look great!

4. Buy Local! Buying local will minimize shipping costs and reduce the gas consumption and air-polluting emissions for unnecessary transportation.

5. Use mulch on lawns and gardens. Mulching saves water, protects plant roots and looks neat, clean and decorative.

6. Compost kitchen and garden waste.

7. Grow edible landscaping. Fruit trees, vines, vegetables and other edibles can look very decorative and are fresher and tastier when harvested from the landscape. And you don't need to worry about food recalls.

8. Reduce lawns. Planting lawns only where they will be useful will save on high maintenance mowing and heavy watering. This is most important in areas where water is not abundant.

9. Install low water irrigation systems and smart timers. Not only will you save water, but your plants and lawns are likely to grow stronger and healthier.

10. Retrofit pond pumps and water garden systems. There are much more efficient systems available to work with ponds and other water gardens that will keep your utility usage down, minimize evaporation and help your water gardens to stay healthier.

These are 10 best ways to make your landscape green. There are plenty more Following these tips will not only be good for the ecology, but will make your garden more attractive and reduce the work you need to put into maintaining your landscape. They will also save you money!

To view this article and other green landscaping ideas go to eHow.