sustainable living
E C O L O G I C A L
Landscaping
Y Support our local ecosystem by making thoughtful decisions about what and how to plant. Z
ANDSCAPING projects can be daunting, especially if you’re new to an area or have a huge yard to
tackle. On the bright side, a big project is an excellent opportunity to improve your home’s curb
appeal, create outdoor space that you’ll enjoy, and by practicing sustainable landscaping contribute
to a healthy ecosystem.
Sustainable landscaping will improve the health of your soil, support native species, pollinators and
other wildlife, and protect the surrounding environment. By contrast, some landscaping choices can have
negative effects on the ecosystem. Many homeowners are unknowingly playing host to invasive plant
species and their pests and putting harmful substances into the soil and water.
Here are some landscaping steps to make your yard a sustainable one.
BY MELISSA SUTTON-SENG
Soil Testing
BEFORE putting down any
plants, have your soil tested
to see what will grow well
and what sort of amendments are
needed for encouraging healthy
plant growth. The NC State
Extension Center located at the
New Hanover County Arboretum
offers soil testing — free from
April 1-Nov. 27 and for a small fee
at other times — as do Extension
centers in other counties. Master
Gardeners at your local Extension
center are a wonderful source of
advice for landscaping decisions.
L
Carolina Jessamine Carolina Allspice
MARY VAUX WALCOTT c. 1926
18 may 2022
WBM
WILLIAM CURTIS C. 1797