According to: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), July 29, 2008 ...

Landscaping may significantly reduce energy bills. Carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of a typical household's energy for heating and cooling.

Computer models from DOE predict that just 3 trees, properly placed around the house, can save an average household between $100 and $250 in heating and cooling energy costs alone annually.

Some Additional "Green" Benefits of Well Designed Landscaping

Re-landscaping that is planned and implemented in considered, smart and resourceful ways not only helps the environment - you can see real savings too. For example, consider:

• Landscaping can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 50 percent, by shading the windows and walls of a home. Source: American Public Power Association.
• Trees can reduce bothersome noise by up to 50 percent and can mask unwanted noises with pleasant sounds. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• Trees can reduce temperatures by as much as nine degrees Fahrenheit. Source: American Forests.
• A single urban tree can provide up to $273 a year in air conditioning, pollution fighting, erosion and storm water control, and wildlife shelter benefits. Source: American Forests.

Did You Know: General Gardening Tips

Global warming

Did you know that the earth's soil gives out carbon dioxide in the atmosphere 10 times more than all human activity? This comes from the pill bugs, microbes, fungi and worms when they breathe, digest food and then die. Although in the past plants have been capable of absorbing carbon dioxide caused by small-scale tillages, this isn't the case nowadays. The increase of the globe's average temperature is because of the carbon dioxide the soil emits when tilled. The good news is that tilling can be minimized by mulching or sheet composting.

Even Better News: Native Plants do not Usually Require Fertilizer

The use of generous native plants for the area:

• Help reduce air pollution.
• Provide food and shelter for wildlife, thereby inviting birds and butterflies back home.

Good Fungi

In untilled soil, there is beneficial fungi known as the vesicular-arbuscular-mycorrhizae or VAM for short. VAM actually forms a symbiotic relationship with plants. Their filaments increase root hairs and provide nutrients to the plant. They give out zinc, copper, potassium and phosphorus. Plants provide carbohydrates for the fungi in return. It is possible to grow a garden without tilling the soil at all by mulching heavily until the soil is soft and friable.

Watching Us and Watching Our Suppliers

Here at Landscape Creator Desert Designer, we're constantly looking for better ways to lower our envronmental footprint. Likewise, suppliers who seek to lessen their impact on the environment tend to get our attention first. Landscape Creator welcomes suggestions and discussions on how we can improve our contribution to environmental friendly landscaping.

Call us today for your personalized design consultation: 602.550.8074