When you think of sustainable residential landscaping in California, you might imagine a landscape filled with native plants and dry, grassy expanses reminiscent of the state's iconic chaparral scrub. While this type of landscape certainly has its charm, it may not align with everyone's vision for their landscape. It's important to realize that sustainable landscaping offers much more than meets the eye. The truth is that sustainable landscaping offers a wide range of possibilities that go beyond these traditional expectations. Incorporating sustainable practices into a design, like using climate-adapted plants, permeable surfaces, sustainably sourced materials, energy efficiency, and biodiversity in the landscape, can contribute to creating a beautiful and sustainable outdoor space that reflects a homeowner's individual style and preferences.
Let's start with plant choices. Contrary to popular belief, sustainable landscaping is not limited to native plants or xeriscaping. While native species are indeed well-suited to the local environment, plenty of other climate-adapted plants can thrive in your yard that are just as suitable, offering an array of colors, textures, and styles. San Luis Obispo sits in Sunset Zone 16, a climate delineation that hugs the coast and rarely sees temperatures drop below freezing. The mild winters and a long growing season make the Mediterranean climate of coastal California an ideal growing area for a wide range of plants. The bright bracts of Leucadendrons or the lush, green foliage of Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt' (shown in the project below) may not be what you think of when you hear "sustainable plant choices" in California. Still, these are just two examples of the diverse plant life that can flourish in our environment. Lush planting arrangements can still be low maintenance and low water; it's all about finding the right plants for your space. By incorporating a variety of climate-adapted plants into your design, you can create beautiful, water-wise landscapes that thrive in the specific microclimate of San Luis Obispo and contribute to the overall sustainability of California's residential areas.
AlfrescSLO Living: Acacia cognata "Cousin Itt" is a climate-adapted plant appropriate for planting in San Luis Obispo and complements the olive tree - known for its ties to Mediterranean regions.
Climate appropriate planting can be colorful and textural.
Lush planting can still be low maintenance and low water.
If you're looking for a way to reduce your water consumption and minimize the maintenance of your outdoor space, lawn alternatives are a great option. Traditional grass lawns can be very demanding in water and care but provide few benefits to your landscape. Instead, consider native grass meadows or groundcovers that can give you the look and feel of a green expanse without sacrificing your water bill. One excellent option is creeping red fescue, a grass native to California that is drought tolerant because of its ability to become dormant in hot summer months. Creeping red fescue, along with many other groundcovers, requires minimal maintenance, making it a great choice for those who want a beautiful outdoor space without the hassle. If you're looking for a more sustainable alternative to a traditional grass lawn, synthetic turf may not be your first thought. However, the SYNLawn artificial grass installed in the project below is a great lawn alternative that is manufactured using recycled plastic and polymer substitutes. In fact, 60 percent of the petroleum-based polymers used in the product are replaced with a backing system made from renewable soybeans. This makes SYNLawn a great choice for those who want a low-maintenance, sustainable option for their outdoor space.
Lawn alternatives like this synthetic turf from SYNLawn are a great way to cut down on water use and maintenance of your outdoor space.
Cutting down on lawn space can also leave more room for landscaping that will foster a biodiverse ecosystem within your backyard. Encouraging biodiversity doesn't mean you need to let your yard become a wilderness; instead, it just takes a thoughtful selection of plants that will support local wildlife. By incorporating plants that flower at different times, provide shelter, or produce seeds and fruits, you can create a sanctuary for local birds, pollinators, and other beneficial wildlife. A blend of trees, shrubs, and perennials will look visually appealing as plant structure changes throughout the seasons and promote a balanced ecosystem at the same time. Introducing edible plants into your landscape like the lemon espalier in the project shown below, is a great way to incorporate biodiversity and attract pollinators to your outdoor space. Whether you have a whole kitchen garden or just a few plants; vegetables, fruits, and herbs all contribute to food security in your community by offering a locally grown alternative to grocery store produce.
Fruit tree espaliers are an artistic way to incorporate edibles into your plant palette.
Sustainability doesn't stop at plant choices alone. By expanding our perspective and exploring the range of sustainable practices available. One method is using permeable surfaces, such as permeable paving or gravel. These surfaces allow rainwater to infiltrate the ground, replenishing groundwater and reducing the strain on local water resources by limiting stormwater runoff. Permeable surfaces are a win-win situation for the homeowner as well. After witnessing an unusually wet winter in San Luis Obispo, we've seen the benefits firsthand; they mitigate flood risks, prevent water pooling, and contribute to a resilient landscape that stands up to the challenges of our changing climate. Permeable pavers are an excellent option for hardscapes in your backyard. Unlike traditional pavement, permeable pavers allow water to seep through the surface and filter into the ground, reducing the risk of erosion and pollution. They can also help recharge groundwater supplies and filter out pollutants and contaminants, resulting in cleaner water in our rivers and streams. An image from the "Alfresco Living" project shows another creative way to integrate permeability into design: breaking up concrete slabs with pebbles. If you have concerns about small loose stones scattered around your landscape due to kids or pets, Ekoflo permeable pebble binder is an excellent solution. The mat provides the look and permeability of pebble joints without the potential for a mess.
AlfrescSLO Living: Breaking up concrete slabs with Mexican pebble joints allows water to rapidly infiltrate the ground, reducing the risk of flooding or pooling water.
If you're worried about gravel getting kicked all over your yard, Ekoflo is a permeable pebble binder that keeps small pebbles in place. Same look, no mess!
Groundcover joints between pavers create pervious surfaces for water to percolate into groundwater.
Stormwater retention and infiltration, bioswales, and dry creeks in addition to permeable surfaces are considered best management practices for water in a landscape. These features allow for the natural filtration and absorption of stormwater, which helps replenish groundwater supplies and reduces the risk of flooding. Bioswales are designed to mimic wetland filtration and absorption processes, removing pollutants and contaminants from stormwater runoff. Dry creeks are stylized but functional attributes of landscape design that can collect and retain stormwater while providing wildlife habitat.
To create truly sustainable and eco-friendly landscapes, we have to consider not only the plants and features in the design but also the materials used for built elements. That's why we prioritize choosing sustainably sourced options when choosing materials. By opting for materials like recycled or reused alternatives, we reduce the environmental impact of landscape designs. In the multi-level backyard design called "Deck With a View," located in San Luis Obispo, CA, we utilized mahogany TimberTech AZEK composite decking. This decking is engineered from 60 to 85% recycled content, sourced from TimberTech, a wood alternative company that combines natural, nuanced beauty with durability. By using their decking, crafted from wood and plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, we make a significant contribution to waste reduction. An average 15' x 15' TimberTech Advanced PVC deck alone can save as many as 40 trash bags of construction waste and scrap from the landfill!
Deck with a View: Mahogany TimberTech AZEK composite decking engineered from 60 to 85% recycled content.
Another project with a composite deck that will hold up to coastal conditions, which can weather wood very quickly.
When evaluating a product's sustainability, there are many components to consider: where did the materials come from? What is the life cycle of the material? Its carbon footprint? Its recyclability? Its durability? Availability? MOSO Bamboo Decking and Modern Mill Rice Hull Decking are wood alternative companies addressing these questions and bringing new ideas to the building materials industry. The building materials industry relies heavily on wood, a resource that deforestation is threatening to cut down faster than we can replant it! Modern Mill and MOSO Bamboo use fast-growing natural materials to manufacture their decking, making it both cost-effective and renewable. Modern Mill has found a way to repurpose rice husks into a 100% recyclable decking product that resists water, rot, weather, and pests. MOSO Bamboo Decking takes a similar approach but uses bamboo as the raw material instead of rice husks. They’ve built their business on Moso bamboo because it grows up to 1 meter per day, faster than any other plant! Moso bamboo also absorbs more CO2 while it's growing than the CO2 that is released during manufacturing, giving it a carbon-neutral title.
While there are many wood alternatives to explore, you might love the look and feel of natural wood. That doesn't mean you are opting out of sustainability! The idea of using fast-growing raw materials to create a more sustainable building material can also be applied to natural wood. Tropical hardwood is durable and a popular choice for ornamental timber, but it is slow-growing, with a high carbon footprint, and is often sourced from old-growth rainforests. On the other hand, Black Locust is the fastest-growing durable hardwood available and can be regionally grown in North America, making it a sustainable natural wood product. All trees grow at different paces, in different regions, and have different carbon sequestration abilities. Evaluating these factors is essential to find what lumber is the best fit for your project. When selecting lumber for projects, it's important to consider where the materials come from. While some areas may have access to certain types of wood, others may need to import them, which can have a negative impact on the environment. By choosing salvaged or reclaimed wood, you can help reduce waste and give new life to materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Not only is this an environmentally conscious choice, but it can also add a unique character to your outdoor space. For example, the pergola in the project shown below was built using reclaimed old-growth redwood. This type of wood is known for its intricate wood grain, which is rare in today's second-growth lumber industry. By choosing to use salvaged materials, you can create a one-of-a-kind outdoor space that is both beautiful and sustainable.
Using salvaged materials can add a unique charm to a landscape. The wood we used for this pergola is reclaimed old-growth redwood with beautiful wood grain that is hard to find in today's lumber industry.
Reusing materials found on-site is a great way to reduce construction costs and the environmental impact that sourcing materials can have. In the project below, we salvaged cobble from the existing site where it was reused for the final design, cutting costs and reducing the environmental impact of procuring materials. These benefits are applicable to any locally sourced material, not just what can be reused on site. Transportation will always add a monetary and ecological cost to any material, whether it's hardscape or plants. Here on the central coast, we are fortunate to have access to local resources for building materials and wholesale nurseries that we use whenever possible. This not only helps us keep our carbon footprint low but also contributes to the growth of our local economy!
Cobble salvaged from the existing site in this project was reused for the final design, cutting costs and reducing the environmental impact of procuring materials.
Energy efficiency is another aspect we consider when designing sustainable landscapes. By strategically placing trees, shrubs, or built elements, we can provide shade and windbreaks that reduce the need for artificial cooling or heating. This saves energy and enhances the overall comfort of your outdoor areas. Low-voltage lighting in the project shown below enhances the beauty and practicality of your landscape without increasing your energy consumption too much. Lighting your outdoor space will keep it usable at night, which will come in handy every winter when it starts to feel like the sun is setting at 4 p.m.! Water conservation is another top priority, especially in drought-prone California. Updating your landscape irrigation to a newer, more efficient system allows you to reduce water consumption while ensuring the health of your plants. It's a win-win situation that addresses water scarcity issues and saves you money on your water bills.
Energy efficient lighting reduces energy consumption while making your space safe and usable at night.
So, don't let preconceived notions limit your ideas about sustainable landscaping in California. There are so many approaches to sustainability in your landscape! Whether you choose to tackle one method or all, by making informed decisions on plant choice, responsible material sourcing, energy usage, and water conservation, we can create landscapes that are beautiful, functional, and kind to our planet. As designers, builders, homeowners and consumers, we have the opportunity to effect change in our local environments and contribute to a more sustainable future.