"TO REDUCE YOUR LAWN SIZE and make a sustainable garden, make sure you choose a sunny spot above all else. Next, solarize the area (a process that harnesses sun’s heat) to kill weeds and grass or sheet-mulch the new garden spot with eight to 10 inches of newspaper, yard debris, leaves and county-provided free mulch. Add homemade or store-bought compost to improve soil drainage and water retention.”
— Kelly Lockamy, owner of Organically Yours Garden Design
 
Seek alternatives to chemicals. Incorporate beneficial insects to get rid of the not-so-beneficial bugs. (Ladybugs, believe it or not, are cold-blooded killers!) Non-toxic soap sprays are another good alternative to pesticides. Mulch your garden for natural weed prevention and add compost for a healthy fertilizer.
 
Plant native, drought-tolerant plants and trees. Species that are well-adapted to the local soils and climate require fewer chemical treatments, less water and lower maintenance than exotics. Landscape designer and LEED-accredited professional Kathrine Clark recommends Yaupon holly, Walter’s viburnum, coral honeysuckle, beautyberry and red buckeye — all colorful and attractive natives that will attract birds, bees and butterflies.
 
Save water and reduce runoff.  To reduce potable water usage and lessen the impact of storm water on the environment, buy or make a rain barrel and use it to water your plants. Use pervious paving materials such as gravel, crushed stone and open paving for driveways, patios and walkways. These allow water to percolate into the soil rather than running off into storm drains.  They also stay cooler than traditional pavement.
 
Take cover. To naturally cool your home, plant large canopy trees to shade exterior walls and driveways. Deciduous trees, such as red maple and winged elm, are the most beneficial. They provide shade in the hot summer and let warm sunlight through in the winter months. 
 
LOCAL RESOURCES
The Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens has a document titled Water Conservation and Recycling through Creative Landscaping that goes through the step-by-step process of creating a xeriscaped garden, complete with examples of which native species to plant and where to plant them. Visit: www.ugaextension.com/bamboo/xeriscape1.htm or call (912) 921-5460.
 
Hester and Zipperer maintains an informative blog (hesterandzipperer.blogspot.com), holds free workshops and has a wide selection of seeds, edibles, plants, shrubs, trees and flowers. Local locations: 6719 Skidaway Road and 418 Johnny Mercer Blvd.
 
Arborganics, Farmer D and Liberty Herbs sell organic compost and plants at the Market at Trustees Garden. The Market, located at 10 East Broad St. is open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 4-7 p.m. For information, call 443-3253.