May 4th

By Mutt Mulligan

Smart home, smart landscape

It seems like another smart home gadget is released every week. Lighting, HVAC, entertainment systems, window coverings and even appliances can all be controlled remotely on a smart phone or tablet. But in the outdoor living room, what does a smart landscape look like?

As TurfMutt explains, it’s not always about the latest in technology. Sometimes, it is simply about letting the living landscapes in your family yard do what Mother Nature designed them to do.

Select the right plants.
Being smart about your living landscape means mapping out a yard that fits your lifestyle and climate. First, check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to determine which plants are most likely to thrive at your location with minimal maintenance. Then, determine which trees, grass and shrubs make most sense for your lifestyle. Do you have kids and pets? You’ll want to plant a big patch of hardy grass for playing. If you spend a lot of time outside in the summer, you should plant some shade trees for comfort. What do you need in your outdoor living room to make the most of the space?

Put the right plant in the right place.
In addition to selecting the right plants, you’ll also want to be smart about where you put each of your plantings. For instance, families with pets and kids will want to have sturdy shrubs with softer foliage near pathways and play areas. Delicate plants and flowers can go into patio planters or window boxes – safe from rowdy kids and dogs. Hardy turfgrass should cover most of the yard.

Choose real over fake.
Younger Americans are more likely than older ones to choose artificial turf, but the smart choice is always on real grass, trees and shrubs. Fake grass is not only gets hot in the summer, it is also hard to keep clean. It’s not an environmentally friendly choice, either. Real grass is smart. It captures dust, smoke particles and other pollutants. At the same time, turfgrass produces oxygen, sequesters carbon, prevents runoff and captures precious rainwater.

Be water wise.
It’s smart not to overwater your grass. Too much water makes grass lazy, causing it to grow roots in a horizontal – rather than a vertical – pattern. Smart controllers on irrigation systems can help you use less water but still maintain a living landscape.

Learn more about the benefits – and smarts – of your living landscapes.