Green Homes Tour: Sustainable Yard

Saving energy and reducing the carbon footprint in your sustainable yard

1. Plant trees strategically to use less energy to heat or cool your house.  

• Evergreen trees on the northeast side of a house buffer cold winter winds.
• Deciduous trees on the south and west sides of a house provide shade in summer, but let in sunlight in winter.
• Trees and other plants are carbon sinks. They absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen that we need to breathe.
• Information about Needham’s Tree Planting Program.

2. Reduce the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers. More information [pesthealthcopy.pdf]

• Synthetic fertilizers require a lot of energy to produce.
• Try using compost for fertilizer and avoid using pesticides, and your plants and lawn will be healthier and safer.
• Information about pesticides and health

3. Use a push (reel) mower or electric mower instead of polluting gasoline-powered mower.

4. Use free solar energy.

• Put photovoltaic cells on the south-facing roof of your house.
• Use a clothes line when the weather allows.

5. Buy locally grown food and consider growing some of your own food.

• Less energy will be needed to transport food.
• Food will taste better and be safer and more nutritious.

6. Retain and save rain water to use in your yard instead of water from your tap.

• Use rain barrels to collect and store rain water.
• Landscape with drought-tolerant (xeriphytic) plants.
• Have permeable paving installed.

7.Attracting Wildlife

• Click here for flowers that attract bees.
• Click here for plants that attract birds and butterflies.
• Click here for a brochure on invasive plants and native replacements from the New England Wild Flower Society.