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Earth Services Pervious Concrete, Rain Collection/Retention Systems |
GreenStar provides earth services that will allow you to act responsibly when it comes to the overall impact of your lawn and landscaping. Any sustainable home should include Smart-Scaping as a way not only to beautify the home's surroundings, but also as an eco- friendly way to save energy and enhance the surrounding ecosystems. The practice of Smart-Scaping is quite simply using your landscape as a way to reduce energy use. Smart-Scaping cuts summer and winter energy costs by protecting homes from winter wind and summer sun, reduces the consumption of water, pesticides, and fuel for landscaping and maintenance, and helps to control noise and air pollution.
Your plan should include both deciduous and evergreen trees. The best locations for deciduous trees are on the south and east sides of a house to provide shade during summer, and allow the sun's warmth to penetrate during the winter months when they lose their leaves. Evergreens are best planted on the north and west sides to provide protection from cold winter winds.
Shrubs and ground covers can help improve the energy-efficiency of your landscape as well. Planting shrubs, bushes, and vines next to your home creates a dead air space that insulates your home both winter and summer. Groundcover plants will shade the soil and pavement around your home, reducing radiation and cooling air before it reaches your home.
Landscape design can reach full "Green" potential when certain elements are put into play such as:
• Re-purposed materials to be used in the landscaping itself.
• Re-cycled materials that can be used for retaining walls and edging.
• Recycling the deconstruction of pre-existing materials.
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What are the benefits of harvesting rainwater?
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• Rainwater is a relatively clean and available source of water
• The total control and proximity of your water supply
• It is socially acceptable and environmentally responsible
• It promotes self-sufficiency and helps to conserve water
• Rainwater is friendly to landscape plants and gardens
• It reduces storm water runoff from homes and businesses that practice it
• It can solve the drainage problems on your property while providing you with free water
• It uses simple technologies that are easy to maintain
• The potential cost savings especially with rising water costs
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