This post is sponsored by Overstock.com. All work and opinions are my own.
Since buying our house in April, John and I are discovering the joys of being homeowners. Or rather, we’re discovering all of the things we never had to think about during our time renting apartments. And almost all of those things have to do with… our yard.
We’ve got a yard now– a long, skinny yard– and we’re still trying to figure out what to do with it. One thing is certain: We want to make our yard as green and eco-friendly as possible. Here are a few of the steps we’re taking to do that:
Use solar when possible
We were immensely disappointed when we found out that we can’t really put solar panel on our roof and that our yard is too small to mount them there. Even though we can’t go whole hog with solar, there are options for the yard that allow for a little less electricity consumption. To shed a little extra light on our patio steps and path, we’re using the Solar-powered LED Outdoor Stake Lights Combo Set which turn on automatically. To add a little sparkle and panache to our seating area, we’re using Crystal Ball Solar String Lights (they’re also LEDs). I think we may pair them with larger lights– like Edison bulbs– to add some texture and twinkle.
Avoid chemicals
We’ve decided to avoid treating our yard with chemicals like fertilizers or weed killers. Instead, we’ll be living with the dandelions and trying natural fixes for the weeds that we can’t live with. We also want to begin composting table scraps and lawn clippings instead of throwing them in the trash. The compost can help us replenish the soil without using chemical fertilizers as well.
Cut emissions (and the grass)
Gas-powered lawn care tools–like lawnmowers–have incredibly high rates of emissions. Because our lawn is smaller, it’s possible for us to use electric-powered tools. We’re using the Earthwise Cordless Lawn Mower and Sun Joe Electric Stringless Trimmer/ Edger to keep our grass short and trimmed without putting more pollutants into the air.
Think local
Indigenous plants are healthier for the environment. They’re acclimatized and provide food and habitat to other native species. We’re working on designing our flower beds to include plants that don’t need a lot of water, are helpful to bees, and are local. (And to do that, we have an expandable hose and garden tool set to help out.)
(And don’t forget the savings…)
Working on improving your yard doesn’t have to be crazy expensive. Overstock.com has everything you need for an outdoor summer refresh. And don’t forget, Overstock.com offers a free membership to their Club O Gold for military and veterans. Find out more about that here. That means you can save even more when you use your Club O Gold membership.
