GREEN SOLUTIONS

What is all this Green talk about?  Well, what are green solutions?  Green solutions in simple terms is utilizing valuable resources in an environmentally friendly fashion.  It's exciting to learn about new and old solutions that allow us to use our valuable resources wisely and responsibly and even save money!  It's Like the insurance commercials say: 15 minutes could save you 15% or more!!!

There are many types of green products and opportunities out there and the following are just a few.

RAINXCHANGE RAINWATER HARVEST SYSTEM


The RainXchange System captures rainwater in a series of events and provides you with a stormwater system that allows you to reuse the water for a pond or pondless water feature, watering your yard, your plants, and more. 

  • 1" of rainfall on a 2,000 sq. ft. roof =1,250 gallons of water
  • the average U.S. home with a 10,000 sq. ft. lot uses 5,000 gallons a week for landscape irrigation
  • a sprinkler running for two hours can use 500 gallons of water  

This is how the system works:

1.  Rainwater that runs off your roof goes into the gutters and down the downspouts into a filter basin.  A course screen removes seeds, leaves, and twigs.  The smaller particles are captured in a fine mesh that can be removed for cleaning.

2.  A connecting pipe allows the water to flow into the main storage chamber.

3.  The main storage chamber is filled with heavy duty yet lightweight plastic tanks that house the stored water underneath your water feature. 

4.  A Snorkel Vault and Centipede Module allows for convenient yearly maintenance and cleaning.

5.  A high efficiency pump recirculates the water 24 hrs a day. 

6.  A flexible water pipe connects from the pump to your water feature.

7.    An overflow infiltration box is installed in the event that the main storage chamber is full.  The excess water flows into a pipe that is connected from the Snorkel Vault to the underground infiltration box where the water filters into the ground. 

8.  In a pond or pondless application there is a filter that houses beneficial bacteria and enzymes that reduce pollutants and organic wastes that are then absorbed by plants.

9.  Aquatic Plants are a must to maintaining biodiversity for the system.  They provide shelter and food for birds, insects, and amphibians. 

10.  A garden hose is connected to the system so you can water your plants and lawn.  You can even have a lawn and landscape irrigation system connected to do the watering for you. 

Rainwater filtered through this natural process is packed full of micronutrients that will help your plants flourish and will also allow you to reduce your fertilizing schedule.  If you have a permeable paved area on your property this too can be connected to the system--read the article below for more information. 


PERMEABLE PAVERS

It's amazing the amount of water that can runoff of even the smallest area of pavement after a rain.  In many cases this runoff water can cause lots of damage if not dealt with properly.
Sidewalks, driveways, streets, and parking lots can be made using a variety of common methods:
  • Poured Concrete
  • Asphalt
  • Crushed Limestone
  • Clay Pavers
  • Concrete Pavers
The great news is that there are permeable choices for all of the above methods.  As a landscape contractor we can help you decide what is best for your particular project.  If it leads to permeable pavers then we'd be happy to install them for you!!!

More information on Permeable Pavers along with Pictures will be uploaded soon as well as information on a whole bunch of GREEN ideas!

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Below are a few Green products that we showed at our recent Home Show in Decorah, IA     

The Retaining Wall above is from Millenia Wall Systems.  The blocks are made of recycled automobile door panel plastics and weigh only 5.5lbs each.  When the wall block's hollow cores are filled with clean gravel they will weigh about the same as a regular concrete wall block, which plays an important part in the strength of a wall.  This wall system will not crack, chip, or absorb.  It will also resist deterioration from harsh salts and fertilizers.  If you want a 50' tall wall--no problem!     


These pavers are from Vast enterprises.  They are made of 95% recycled automobile tires and plastic bottles!  They are a great alternative especially if you want the rich color that clay pavers offer.  They will also resist chemicals, harsh salts, and fertilizers.  These pavers also contribute two to three times more possible LEED credits  than with conventional concrete pavers.  LEED is a nationally accepted Green Building benchmark rating system.  The colors and appearance that these pavers give are awesome!


Rubber Mulch!  Made from recycled rubber tires.  Many colors available.  We offer the "Chunk" style (above) that resembles bark chips that looks nice in the landscape but works great for playgrounds because of the injury protection it offers.  We also have a "shredded" style similar to your common shredded bark mulch.  It will not degrade and has excellent fade resistance.