LANDSCAPE DESIGN

I have been looking at my business lately, trying to figure out how we can reduce our impact on the environment. Being in the green industry, we should really be setting an example to our clients and other businesses.

There are some simple things that I believe we can do, and are doing, but at first glance it seems as if this shift in mindset doesnt come without some cost - whether time, energy or money.

Some of the solutions should have long term benefits, but what are the short term costs?

These are the questions Im asking us as a business, and should probably be asking my suppliers as well:

1. Are we using sustainable resources?
2. Are we being efficient with our resources?
3. Is there any way of recycling materials (waste or other)?
4. Are our staff being paid a fair wage that can sustain them and their family?

Sustainability is a word that is being over-used in so many contexts, that its in danger of losing its meaning in the near future. There is also a lot of debate over how to define sustainability anyway.
Broadly speaking, sustainability is defined as :

"Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs."

But I think we are all guilty at some point of looking for the shortcut, or the lower price, without asking some difficult questions.
For example, do I know whether my suppliers are paying a decent wage to their staff?
When I am buying materials, what guarantees do I have that theyve been sourced from a sustainable supply?

Simply put, are people or the environment getting ripped off for my benefit?

Some simple things everyone can do to lessen their impact:

1. Visit Ecofoot.org and do the quiz. Also check out Breathing Earth
   
2. Recycle glass, paper etc. as much as possible. Glass is one of the few things that can be re-re-recycled.
   
3. Replace normal light bulbs with Fluorescent - the use a fraction of the electricity, and last much longer.
4. Support local businesses, farmers, trades-people and products
5. Buy organic foods
   
6. Walk, or cycle where possible
7. Buy re-cycled products
8. Turn off lights and appliances when youre not using them
9. Try to avoid products with excessive packaging
10. My favourite - Plant a tree (Preferably indigenous!)
    

Dare to be different with some fresh Backyard Landscaping Ideas. Backyard Landscaping Ideas are legion, and can be used to transform a common old block of land into something quite marvelous.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas 1 - Spanish Style Vertical Garden

A vertical Garden will really make your Backyard Landscaping Ideas come to life. Now you can look at a blank wall as if you are an artist about to create a work of art. The blank wall is your blank canvas you will transform into a beautiful living picture of pots and flowering plants that can change into a riot of color all years round.

Spanish style flowers pot holders are available that are specially designed to carry plastic or terracotta pots or even wicker work conical baskets. Spanish style flowers pot holders will give a real flavour of the Mediterranean. Spanish style flowers pot holders are inspired by the narrow, winding alleyways of Southern Spain.
The Best of Spanish style flowers pot holders:

* Strong (being made of mild steel and last for years)
* Available in different sizes
* Simple and easy to handle

Backyard Landscaping Ideas 2 - Feng Shui Style Garden

In Chinese Gardens feng shui is an underlying factor throughout many Chinese Gardens. Feng Shui Garden landscape designs mostly incorporate mountain (Shan) and water (Shui) energy since the basic of Chinese Gardens originated from the art form called Shan Shui, meaning mountain-water

Mountain energy symbolizes good health, harmony and stability. It is yang, strong, hard, tall and vertical. One can identify this energy in actual mountains, higher terrain and mounds. Virtual mountain energy can be realized in boulders, raised planting beds and walls.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas 3 - Patio Backyard Design.

There are three type of Patio Backyard Design - Open patios, patios that are enclosed and patio that is placed right outside or connected right your home. Open patio utilized your homes outdoor space by decorating it with different materials and with furniture whereas in closed patio basically use walls commonly glasses wall or sliding wall. The last one of patio design Ideas - patio that is placed right outside or connected right your home. The good thing about this patio design is you can easily transfer inside your home then to your patio and vice versa since it is very accessible.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas 4 - Japanese Backyard Garden

Japanese water Gardens are popularly called as koi ponds. Before building these Gardens you should think about the material to be used for building them. Some of the great building elements which can help you in designing a pleasant natural Garden are Bamboo screens, high stone walls and weathered wood. Other than that, you can choose miniature Gardening which include bonsai tree and water elements (ponds).

Backyard Landscaping Ideas 5 - Foliage Garden

Foliage Garden is the flowerless Garden. Do you realize that flowers arent the only things that can bring color to your Backyard? People always talk about the rose Garden, the dahlia bed, the wildflower meadow when they thinks about Garden but they ever seems to talk much about the leaves. But, if you look back at the woodland Garden in summer, no flowers, there are only ferns and heuchera and other leafy things. The fact is Foliage Garden can be beautiful alternative of Garden which consist of flower.

Once you have your Backyard landscape Ideas you can start making a plan on how to achieve your Backyard goal. If youre planning to landscape your Backyard, take time to browse through as many different Backyard Landscaping Ideas as you can to find Ideas that not only look good, but fit your personal needs, too. No need to waste your time. Get some Backyard landscape Ideas and green your home now.For further review of Backyard Garden pictures just visit my site at GardenLandscapingIdeas.org.