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Traditional yards often are unhealthy yet fixable. Common problems include trees planted in wrong place and incorrectly planted; lack of plant diversity; compacted soils; large areas of impervious surfaces. Incorporate all, or even a handful, of the following steps to increase your yard's health.
 | | Replacing an impervious material, like a concrete patio, with a permable paver makes for a healthier yard. Shown is Pavestone Eco Venetian paver. |
Have Multiple Vegetative Levels
Stagger the height and types of plants in your landscape. Trees provide a canopy followed by understory shrubs then perennials with leaf litter last. The various layers interrupt rainfall and prevent soil erosion and pollutants from entering the storm system. The various layers also provide shade and wind and snow protection.
Use a Variety of Plant Material with Multi-generational Trees
Plant diversity ensures your landscape has interest with different textures and plant forms, but also ensures an insect or disease doesn't wipe out all your trees or shrubs. Different plants provide different habitats for wildlife including mosquito-eating bats, frogs and toads. Trees in different stages of life blossom, seed, and die not all at once. Using more native plants will also reduce maintenance and increase yard healthiness.
Incorporate Natural Features
Natural features, like logs, stumps, or boulders, attract beneficial wildlife, create play opportunities for kids, and can be used to bring natural beauty to a garden bed.
Use Organic Mulch
Save money and time by reducing the need to water. Organic mulch also helps cool the soil temperature and prevents soil erosion from rain drops.
Add More Permeable Surfaces and Capture Rain Water
An overloaded storm system means tax dollars have to be spent to fix the problem. Keep your city's groundwater levels healthy so it's not required to buy water from other municipalities. Replace impervious surfaces like your asphalt driveway and concrete walks and patios with more permeable solutions. Instead of directing water from gutters and sump pump hoses on to the driveway or into the street direct it into a rain garden, rain barrel, or even on to the lawn.
Ensure a Healthy Growing Environment
The most important aspect of a healthy yard is correctly planting the right tree, shrub, evergreen, and perennial for the spot. Consider height and spacing needs, light requirements, and soil type when determining what to plant. Dig the hole the proper width and depth. Planting too deep will cause problems down the road. Regular maintenance of pruning or clean-up reduces chances for insect or disease introduction.
What are your thoughts of a property when you see a tree butchered due to power lines or dying tree branches? A healthy yard looks more attractive, can save you time and money, and can increase a property's value by up to 20%.
For More Information
MN DNR Guide to Creating a Healthy Yard | 
