It's not easy being Green

It's nice to have ideals, it's nice to have values, it's nice to stick to them 100% of the time but sometimes it's not always realistic.

Take "going green," for example. There are some people that go to extremes: buying only organic produce, walking or biking everywhere, using "green" toilet bowl cleaner (I mean really?). It's these type of people that have turned "going green" into a dogma that must be strictly followed. I mean, god forbid you should throw away that banana peel instead of composting it.

When I got pregnant, I had lofty ideas of cleaning up my act and being more "green." I bought cloth diapers, switched to organic produce and even bought a few "green" cleaning products. The reality is that now that my baby is here, cloth diapers lead to 50% shorter naps (he wakes up when he's wet), organic produce is not always affordable, and I still haven't found the time to clean.

But I've made compromises. I try to use cloth diapers a couple of times a day (not before naps!), I eat organic when I can, and, ok, I still haven't found much time to clean green or not green.

The same applies to your yard. You don't have to choose the "sustainable choice" 100% of the time, but making a conscious effort to be more environmentally friendly when you can does have an impact (however small it may be).

Lawn: The trade off: You want a green lawn but you know its not sustainable to water your yard. Solution:
Cut back on watering. A 10' x 10' area requires 62.3 gallons a water a week to water the recommended amount of 1" of water but many people use more. You can also adjust your sprinklers to make sure they aren't watering your driveway or the sidewalk. Also, make sure you are watering your grass early in the morning or in the evening to prevent rapid evaporation. Installing rain barrels or cisterns are also a good option to cut back on water use.

Landscape: The trade off: You want a beautifully landscaped yard, but know that things like using fertilizer and invasive species is not good for the earth. The solution: Plant native plants. They require less maintenance and fertilizer since they are already adapted to the climate. If you can't give up fertilizer, try using an organic brand. Use mulch from a recycled source.

Hardscapes: The trade off: You want to create an outdoor oasis with a patio or deck but you know that impermeable hardscapes cause erosion, run-off and limit the amount of green space. The solution: Permeable pavers and pervious concrete are a great option to help prevent erosion, while still providing the look and functionality of  a traditional hardscape. If you can't spring for these more expensive materials, try adding a separate drainage system that incorporates into the hardscape (generally less expensive). Use a low SRI material (lighter in color) to prevent the "heat island effect" and add plants or built-in planters to incorporate green space.

I hope these simple tips help you understand that even if you can't be 100% green, you can make a conscious effort to do what's right for the environment on a smaller scale. Every little thing helps!