Whether you’re looking for privacy or just a solution to contain the kids or pets in your yard, there are plenty of low-maintenance, eco-friendly fence options.  Fences made from natural or recycled materials are readily available.  The right fence can even be used to create a zen-like backyard oasis, as shown here.

• Bamboo is a very sturdy, fast-growing grass and is cultivated without the use of pesticides.  As fencing, it’s available in varying colors, heights and styles.  The rolled fences can be framed out for a more traditional look, or assembled in a more free-style appearance, as pictured above.  These can even be used to cover up and hide an ugly, old fence.
• Other natural fence options include willow, hazel, heather and other reeds bound together to form screens or panels.
• Some composites, such as Trex^®, are made from a combination of reclaimed wood and recycled plastic.  TerraFence composites are made from wheat straw, a by-product of the agricultural industry, and recycled plastic.  TimberWolf^® fencing is made up of 70% recycled paper mill waste mixed with recycled plastic.  A variety of colors and styles is available in these long-lasting fences.

photo courtesy of Bamboo Fencer

If you’re looking for low-maintenance flowers, shrubs and trees that will improve your curb appeal and beautify your backyard, look to native plants.  They’re easy-to-care for and come in many varieties suitable for both sunny and shady locations.  There are many benefits to integrating native plants into your landscape, as they:

• are naturally adapted to thrive in your region
• are typically drought-tolerant
• are resistant to pests and diseases
• require little-to-no fertilizers or modification of soils
• provide food and shelter for declining populations of songbirds, butterflies, bees and beneficial insects
• may increase property values

Ask to see a selection of native plants at your local nursery, at wildflower preserves, or from online retailers.

Many books have been dedicated to the subject as well.

I found a few online resources, such as Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, The Lady Bird Wildflower Center and PlantNative.org to be very informative.  These websites include listings of native plants for your area, local nurseries/suppliers and community organizations with gardens you can visit.

Wild blue indigo (Baptisia australis) is pictured above.

It has been said by some scientists that the simple deed of planting trees (many, many trees) would significantly reduce the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, that we spew into the air at an alarming rate on a daily basis.  The least we can do is try to save the trees already in existence.

The good news is that there are some simple actions that anyone can do to make a difference…stopping junk mail is just one of them, but an important step, since here in the U.S. alone, junk mail is responsible for the destruction of 100 million trees every year.

• If you don’t want to waste ‘8 months opening junk mail over the course of your lifetime’, take a few minutes now to stop it.  EcoCycle.org shows easy ways to stop junk mail.   Also, sign a petition to stop junk mail.
• Whether at home or work, stop and think before printing anything from the computer.  Ask yourself if it’s really necessary that you have a paper copy of something that you can easily reference with a click of a mouse.
• When it is necessary to print, opt for paper with recycled content.  That which is labeled with a high percentage of ‘post-consumer’ recycled content is best.
• Recycle paper and cardboard.   Reuse paper whenever possible.
• Choose to buy recycled paper products such as tissues, bath tissue, napkins, paper towels.  Or, opt for washable linens to replace paper towels and napkins altogether.
• Sign up for e-statements and pay your bills online.  This works well for everything from bank and investment statements to credit card and utility bills.
• Read your favorite magazine or store catalog online instead of receiving paper copies in the mail.
• Plant trees around your home.  Not only does beautiful landscaping add to the value of your home, but proper positioning of trees will even reduce your heating and cooling bills and make your home feel more comfortable.  Evergreens provide a great windbreak to help block those cold winter winds.  Deciduous trees placed on the south and/or west side of your home will provide shade in the summer, yet allow sunlight to enter your home when the limbs are bare in winter.  Go even greener by planting native species.
• Buy wood products only from reputable sources where the wood originates from sustainably managed forests.  The ultimate verification of this is done through the independent, non-profit organization The Forest Stewardship Council.  Avoid exotic woods, unless they are FSC-certified, because harvesting these woods is devastating to the world’s rainforests and our global climate.

photo courtesy of Senior Brigade