Blog Posts
- Sustainable Landscapes
- Pollinator Party
- What to Plant in April and May in Connecticut: A Vegetable Gardener’s Guide
- Revive Your Spring Planters: The Best Plants for a Stunning Seasonal Display
- How to Start an Herb Garden for Your Home
- How to Attract Pollinators to Your Garden This Spring
- Seed Starting 101
- Winter Houseplant Care: Keeping Your Green Friends Happy and Healthy
- Survive the Winter Blues with Houseplants! 🌱
- Poinsettia Care 101: How to Keep This Christmas Classic Thriving
- How to Choose the perfect Mum
- MUMS – How often and how do I water them?
- Fall Hydrangea Care: Deadheading and Preparing for Winter
- The Best Houseplants for Fall:
- Blooming Savings: Our Summer Customer Appreciation Event
- Savor Summer Freshness: Explore Our West Hartford Farmstand
- Embrace Sustainable Living: Fun Steps to Make a Big Impact 🌍✨
- How to Care for Rhododendrons
- Unlock the Beauty of Pansies: A Guide to Care and Planting
- Pruning in the Spring
- Seed Starting Guide
- Planting Dates for Spring
- Exploring the Enigmatic World of Rare and Exotic Plants
- Nurturing Greenery with Caution: A Guide to Pet-Safe Houseplants
- Creating a Pet-Friendly Oasis
- The Scary task of Nurturing the Fickle Fiddle Leaf Fig
- Navigating Common Plant Quandaries with Ease
- Mastering the Art of Calathea Care: A Guide to Taming the Leafy Divas
- Resilient Beauty: Caring for a Cactus
- Introducing: Easy to Care for Plants 🌱
- January is… Houseplant Month 2024!
- Winter Landscape Tips
- Lavender & Rosemary – Taking the stress away
- Attention → Your favorite holiday plants! (poinsettias, cypress, christmas cactus, oh my!)
- Transitioning Plants Indoors
- Pollinator Plants
- Landscape Recommendations
- Herbs & Vegetables at Moscarillo’s
- Want Privacy? Consider Arborvitae!
- Starting your Vegetable Garden
- Roses at Moscarillo’s
- Mulching
- Refresh your Landscape
Creating a Greener Tomorrow: A Guide to Sustainable Landscaping
Landscapes shouldn’t come at the cost of the environment. Sustainable landscaping is all about working with nature, not against it—creating outdoor spaces that thrive with minimal inputs, support local wildlife, and are built to last.
Whether you’re starting fresh or making small eco-conscious changes, here are key elements to keep in mind when designing a sustainable yard:
Choose the Right Plants
Native and pollinator-friendly plants are the backbone of a sustainable garden. They’re adapted to our local climate, need less water, and support bees, butterflies, and birds. Think coneflowers, milkweed, black-eyed Susans, and native grasses—they add color and texture while benefiting your ecosystem.
Be Water-Wise
Swap out thirsty lawns for low-maintenance groundcovers, ornamental grasses, or native shrubs. Incorporate rain gardens, mulch to retain moisture, and consider drip irrigation systems for targeted, efficient watering. Collecting rainwater in barrels is another easy way to cut down on water waste.
Build Healthy Soil
Healthy soil is the secret to a thriving, low-maintenance landscape. Compost your yard waste, leave grass clippings on the lawn, and avoid harsh chemical fertilizers that can disrupt natural soil life. Healthy soil holds more water, nourishes plants better, and resists erosion.
Reduce Hard Surfaces
Large paved areas increase runoff and heat buildup. Instead, opt for permeable materials like gravel, pavers, or mulch pathways to allow rainwater to filter naturally into the ground—recharging groundwater and reducing storm water problems.
Support Local Wildlife
Plant in layers—trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers—to mimic natural habitats and give birds and beneficial insects a place to live and feed. Avoid pesticides and herbicides when possible, and let parts of your yard be just a little wild.
Small Steps, Big Impact
Sustainable landscaping doesn’t have to happen overnight. Even a few smart changes—like planting a pollinator bed or switching to organic mulch—can make a lasting difference. And if you’re not sure where to start, our experts at Moscarillo’s are here to help with plant recommendations, design ideas, and eco-friendly products that fit your yard and your values.
Let your landscape be a place of beauty and stewardship—where nature flourishes, and so does your peace of mind.