Ecological Footprint
Our greatest effort is establishing permanent, native vegetation for wildlife. We are planting trees, shrubs, grasses and herbaceous plants that provide food, cover or both for wildlife. Native plants have the greatest benefit for wildlife as they have evolved and adapted together. Different types of plants are used to establish pollinator gardens, prairie gardens, habitats along forest edges and openings and more.
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Making changes to the landscape is only part of creating and maintaining a healthy and inviting environment for wildlife. Here are some the steps we have taken to ensure our wild backyard is functioning in an ecologically positive way.
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​Reduce lawn area
We have begun reducing the amount of lawn on the property in a number of ways. We began by adding flower beds around the house while enlarging the existing beds. Transforming a large portion of the front lawn to The Wildflower Meadow was the single greatest conversion so far. Progressively adding Native Flower Beds will result in the majority of the front property no longer being grass lawn. Several of the large trees are surrounded by aprons of wildflowers, grasses, or ground cover such as clover. Completing the water feature will reduce lawn area on the side of the house.
Clean up pollutants
Often overlooked is the impact of pollutants can have on the environment at the individual household level. It is easy to overlook the many everyday items we use that are hazardous if not disposed of correctly. Take a look at the Ohio EPA's resource page! It is important to remember that small actions can make big differences.
No chemicals or household hazardous waste is disposed of on the grounds. We are fortunate that Summit County offers collection and disposal through a Houshold Hazardous Waste Collection program.
All unused prescription and OTC medications along are disposed of via our pharmacy’s take-back program.
As dog owners we clear the dog waste and dispose of it properly.
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We are shifting to ecologically friendly deicers and minimizing their usage. The University of Minnesota Extension put information together about the effects of deicing salt on landscapes. You can read it here. Information on alternatives to deicing salt can be seen here.
Use rain barrels. As discussed elsewhere we have several rain barrels. Rain barrels can be almost any container and there are many sizes and styles available. Diverters are simple, come in a number of varieties and are also readily available. For a good synopsis of benefits and FAQ's visit this blog.
Composting. We compost in cooperation with a neighbor. Composting is simple and requires a minimum of work. Information on composting can be found here.
Using natural soil amendments
We compost and use it to amend soil for planting and feeding our garden. Compost tea is made as needed for watering as well. We use leaf mulch as an amendment and top dressing for plant beds as well. Further information on soil amendments can be read here.
Employing smart watering techniques
The garden is small enough that it does not require an irrigation system. Instead, we water the individual plants as needed with rainwater or compost tea via watering can. Flower beds are watered the same. We water in the evenings while enjoying the plants. We do not irrigate our lawn (what’s left of it.) Finally, using leaf mulch helps water retention.
Use integrated pest management
We use an IPM program. Details of the program can be found here. This is an indoor and outdoor effort as the outdoors like to come indoors on occasion.
Erosion control
We periodically monitor water movement and any effects. Any issues are remedied as soon as possible. For example, clogged downspouts are cleared when soil is discovered washed out below.
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We upcycle materials when possible
Some examples are: using old attic stairs to make planters; rebuilding a swing to become a bench, using damaged decking to build shelters; repurposing used cabinetry for outdoor storage. Arguably using the broken up concrete walkway for backfill and to weigh down the rain barrels, leveling the compost bin and using small bits for drainage in plant pots is a major upcycle.