5 Ways to Build an Eco-Friendly Backyard Retreat
Your backyard is the perfect place to relax and release the stresses of your day. Not only can a backyard retreat soothe your soul, but it can also be good for the Earth—if you build it with sustainability in mind. Try these tips to create an environmentally conscious outdoor oasis.
Commit to Composting
Instead of throwing away your food scraps and yard debris, consider composting. It’s not as complicated as you might think—just gather greens, browns, and water. Greens include materials such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and grass clippings; browns include materials such as dead leaves, twigs, and branches.
Be sure to choose a shady spot for your compost bin or pile. Add your browns and greens, moisten dry materials with water, and stir the pile. Once the compost is dry and fully cooked, feed it to your lawn and garden, and watch your backyard flourish.
Harvest Water in a Rain Barrel
Do you want a lush backyard oasis that conserves the Earth’s resources as well as your own? By collecting runoff in a rain barrel, you can conserve H2O and lower your water bill at the same time. Plus, rainwater is salt- and chemical-free, which is healthier for your vegetation than tap water.
To get started, buy a fully assembled rain barrel or make your own. Simply procure a large plastic barrel, and install a screen over the top and a faucet at the bottom. Just remember that rainwater is not safe for human consumption.
Purchase an Energy-Efficient Hot Tub
A hot tub can be the centerpiece of a relaxing, eco-friendly backyard retreat. When you’re shopping for a spa, look for energy-conserving jet pumps, heating elements, insulation, circulation pumps, and LED lights. And be sure to invest in a durable cover to prevent heat from escaping.
In addition, some hot tubs allow you to program your filtration and heating cycles based on your average usage—that way, you won’t waste energy heating the hot tub when it’s not in use. After your spa time, remember to set your spa to automatically shut off the jets, bubbles, and spa lights, take advantage of apps that help monitor energy usage, and always close the cover to keep heat and moisture inside.
Invest in a Solar Pool Cover
Why spend money to heat your pool when you can harness the power of the sun? A solar cover captures the sun’s energy and transfers it directly to your pool. It also provides a physical barrier that prevents evaporation, which means less time refilling (and reheating) the pool.
Using a solar cover increases the temperature of your pool and minimizes water loss, and it can even decrease the need for additional chemicals. Of course, all of this reduces your energy consumption, conserving Earth’s resources as well as your time and money.
Choose Natural Landscaping
Instead of purchasing brand-new materials and décor for your backyard retreat, consider eco-friendly alternatives. If you’re building a deck or privacy fence, try using reclaimed wood rather than freshly cut timber. Aged wood brings warmth and character to your backyard, and allows you to give new life to old material.
You can also use natural elements like stones to decorate your outdoor retreat. Rocks add texture and provide virtually maintenance-free landscaping. Use stones to create a pathway in your garden, or to mark individual plants. You can even paint the stones with unique, colorful designs.
Incorporate these eco-friendly strategies into your outdoor planning, and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying paradise in your own backyard.
Jacuzzi® Hot Tub dealers can do more than help you find the perfect hot tub; they can also help you design your dream backyard. Talk to an expert now.