Balancing sustainability and budget in a landscape project: Can you achieve both beauty and eco-friendliness?

The path of least resistance is always the easiest, so selecting plants native to the area is best; they're adapted to the weather/climate/humidity/rainfall/sunshine, etc. Understand how what you're creating is going to be used so you can put measures in place that will facilitate its use given the environment. Understanding the underlying geology and structure is essential, or you may find yourself attempting to pump water uphill! By understanding how the land and the environment work, you can find ways to maximise the natural benefits on offer.

When it comes to budgets, planning is crucial. Next is understanding the environment you're creating so you can understand what materials, plants, and features will work best, with minimum input and fussing. For example; shallow ponds in full sunshine will quickly evaporate, and the water may become too warm to support any aquatic life. However, some of this can be mitigated by selecting the right colour and type of material to construct the ponds from and using native plant life to shield the waters will offer shade to life and conserve water. Staying ahead of innovations in materials will greatly help. When budgeting, including future running costs will help when making decisions when selecting materials for durability over effect.

When it comes to choosing materials, the criteria by which to assess and decide don't only come down to budget; it's also about the effect you want to create. There are many smart innovations now that allow materials to be more durable, sun-resistant, permeable, flexible and tolerant to earth movements. Some may generate power, and some may help collect water which can be recycled through the landscape. Some may generate heat which can be siphoned off for use elsewhere. There are many tricks that can be used if one thinks creatively that will benefit the whole landscape.