Much thought and consideration should go into a sustainable landscape. Installing native plants for the long term, requiring minimum watering and providing habitat for native fauna is a great start. Water-use should be kept to a minimum with drip irrigation, collecting rainwater, mulching and the use of grey-water. Organic fertilizers should be used, which can be produced by composting. Choosing plants the right size for the location, will not require much pruning, therefore reducing work and yard waste. Minimize the use of lawns, which require much maintenance, producing greenhouse gases, noise pollution, requiring watering and chemical maintenance. One hour of mowing = 20 miles driven in a car. On average homeowners use ten times the amount of chemicals per acre then farmers. Rainwater run-off should be prevented through plantings. Hardscapes should be permeable. Invasive species should be eradicated. Another aspect of sustainable landscape design is the benefit to the building it surrounds, i.e. shade trees or a green roof can dramatically reduce energy cost. Sustainable landscape design requires less maintenance, causes no environmental harm, benefits wildlife and gives a sense of place. 

At Gaining Ground we strive to make our landscape a sustainable showcase and provide education in creating your own sustainable landscapes at home with the help from the Mississippi State University Landscape Architecture Department and local volunteers.

Rain Gardens - taken from http://msucares.com/lawn/landscape/sustainable/rain.html