Greener garden = more green in your pocket

Keeping green in your pocket

Spring has sprung and that means it’s time to get outside and enjoy the outdoors! What a better place to do that than in your own backyard? Having a nice green grassy yard not only has curb appeal but is also sustainable to the environment. But, how can you still save money while having a beautiful, green garden?

Keep calm and turn off the tap

Cutting down on your water usage can save you a lot of money. There are plenty of ways to save a couple bucks in your garden. Changing the time your sprinklers go off to early in the morning will allow the water more time to absorb into the ground. Watering in the middle of the day will cause more of the water to evaporate and less soaked up by your plants! Watering in the evening? Nope! Droplets will cling to the grass and result in lawn diseases.

Halifax is known to get a little rain in the springtime, so why not save some of that water? Creating a rainwater barrel is an easy DIY project that will allow you to collect rainwater and use it efficiently throughout your garden to water plants.

Little seeds to mighty trees

Choosing plants that are native to the land or that are drought-resistant not only look great but help save you money in the long run. Native plants are already acclimatized to the environment and will withstand the changes in seasons with stride. Drought-resistant plants are another great option for your garden. They don’t need as much water to survive – some only need to be watered every 10 days! Worried about the harsh winters? Don’t be! Plenty of drought-resistant plants can withstand nasty winters.

Planting trees is another a great way to save on energy. Planting trees that provide shade on the side of the house that receives the most sunlight will lower your power bill in the summer. Less sunlight will enter, which means that your air-conditioning doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your house cool. Deciduous trees are wonderful for providing this shade during the warmer months and sunlight during the cooler months when their leaves fall off. This allows sunlight to now come through the windows and help warm up your house and lower your heating bill.

Not “mulch” to it!

After planting “greener” plants, it’s time to add some mulch! You can use natural and organic mulches that were once living materials, such as wood chips and shredded bark, in your flower beds and around trees. Mulch retains water so that less of it evaporates before the plants can absorb it. Not only does mulch retain water, but it’s also resistant to heat and will lower the ground temperature. This means less watering and more savings!

Thinking about making your garden greener? Improving your curb appeal could enhance the value of your home and give you more green in your pocket. Contact Clinton Wilkins Mortgage Team and we can help you discover financing options that best suit you!