| Few people realize what energy efficient | | | | shading and windbreak benefits, it can also slash |
| landscaping can do to cut their heating and cooling | | | | your home grocery bill. |
| cost but a yard that is well thought out can be a | | | | Trees and shrubberies prevent soil erosion while |
| real energy saver. | | | | fescue based lawns take very little water to |
| The first advantage of energy efficient | | | | maintain causing a reduction in water usage. |
| landscaping is to cut heating and cooling costs. | | | | Energy efficient landscaping could be the most |
| With just a few well placed trees a family can | | | | important long range investment in cutting back |
| experience a 25% reduction in their heating and | | | | on heating and cooling costs. Planting pest |
| cooling bills. Deciduous (leaf shedding) trees provide | | | | resistant vegetation reduces pesticide use and will |
| shade in the summer and allows sunlight to heat in | | | | beautify the area. |
| the winter. | | | | Trees planted in clusters actually cool the |
| It has also been theorized that the planting of a | | | | surrounding area by as much as 15°. The use of |
| large number of trees worldwide would lighten the | | | | low maintenance plants helps you conserve your |
| color scheme of the landscape and reflect sunlight | | | | energy by not creating as much work for you |
| which would keep the world a cooler place. | | | | and reducing water, pesticide and fertilizer use. |
| Using trees as a windbreak is also a function of | | | | Also consider using a reel mower if you have a |
| energy efficient landscaping. This is a proven | | | | smaller yard, this will cut down on the waste |
| technique to reduce heating costs. Evergreen | | | | produced by energy burning models such as gas |
| trees and shrubs are the most common type of | | | | and electric motors. |
| windbreak in use. Evergreens are most often | | | | So there you have it: Think about how you are |
| planted to the north and northwest for this | | | | going to make yours an energy saving house by |
| purpose. | | | | planting trees and shrubs in your yard thus |
| Another way to cut your families expenses is to | | | | creating shade and wind breaks. |
| plant edible landscaping. Not only can this produce | | | | |