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The classic dream of a house with a fence and a garden might be an ecological nightmare. Large lawns, hazardous chemicals and insecticides, harmful fertilizers - these are just some of the environmental damages caused by a garden that is established and maintained without proper environmental consideration. Here is how you may ensure a lovelier, healthier and greener garden.

How Can One Contribute to the Environment?

We have all come to consider sprawling green lawns as a sign of a better quality of life and "green lungs" in the heart of the drab, urban landscape. But these areas actually take a considerable environmental toll, in that they waste huge quantities of water which are required to grow and maintain those pleasant lawns.

The best way to ensure a truly green garden, begins with correct, intelligent planning. For example, one should consider information regarding the amount of sunlight available to plants, the type of soil, climate, etc. in order to ensure the best conditions for the plants. Correct planning will prevent anguish, save you money and prevent environmental damage. It is always recommended to choose local plants, but be sure not to pick protected plants and always purchase from professional and credible nurseries.

How to Choose Plants  Which local plants will you be able to grow in your garden? A well designed data base will help you choose the plants that you will be able to grow at home, and will include data regarding medicinal plants and herbs, as well as brilliant photos. Before visiting the nursery and purchasing many expensive plants, you will be able to get an impression of a wide variety of plants, trees and flowers which you will be able to grow in your garden, turning it into a truly lovely spot.

Waste Not, Want Not  The lack of water is felt with great force in poverty stricken areas of the world.

If you are not interested in giving up your lawn, you can decrease the quantity of water needed for their upkeep by installing a smart irrigation system that allows precise regulation of the water flow directly to the roots, as needed by the plants. When irrigation is above ground, large quantities of water are wasted due to heat and evaporation, without ever reaching the plants.

A drip irrigation system is an excellent solution for reducing your water bills as well as for improving the look of your garden. It is always recommended to water in the evening, rather than during the hotter hours of the day when a large portion of the water evaporates and never reaches the plants' roots.

Those who are meticulous may re-use water for irrigation. Reduced use of cleaning products and chemicals (or the judicious use of environmentally-friendly cleaning products), will allow water used for bathing, washing dishes and laundry to be re-used to irrigate the garden. There are a number of companies that help to encourage the use of this type of water, sometimes referred to as "grey water" and you may receive help from professionals in order to utilise this source of water for your garden.

What about artificial grass? It is usually made of synthetic materials, which require vast resources to produce and the production emits polluting gasses and chemicals. When the artificial grass is laid onto the ground it prohibits heat release, causing the soil underneath to heat up. Such an environment is harmful to many plants and organisms in the ground and in effect it ceases to exist as a biologically sustaining environment. There are greener alternatives today to artificial grass, some of which deal with the problem of heat accumulation. It is recommended to consult a professional who has a background in the environmental area.