A question I’m frequently asked is “Are landscaping plants recyclable?”. The answer is a resounding “yes!”. Landscaping plants are indeed biodegradable and can be used again. In fact, many varieties of yard and garden plants make excellent yard or garden decoration items for decoration around the house or around the pool.
Most people are surprised to learn that landscaping plants are not always biodegradable. There are some kinds, such as rock plants and cacti, that cannot decay or decompose in soil and are not considered living organisms. Many other varieties, such as ivy, will decay if they are left outdoors, but may still be suitable for landscaping around your home in your front or back yard. This is largely due to differences in how plants grow. Plants that do well as yard decorations will often do equally well as plants that grow as houseplants or plants that are used in flower arrangements.
So how can yard and garden plants be recycled? By nature, all plants grow upwards toward the sunlight. Even some varieties of cacti, such as the Chinese elm and English ivy, will grow up toward the light when planted in the correct environment. With this byproduct, it is possible for yard and garden plants to be used again and to be used in conjunction with other types of yard decor.
Some plants will only produce new growth, such as grass. This does not mean that all lawn or garden plants are only good for making more plants. For example, grass is very low maintenance, even for those with heavier soils. Grasses can be burned or dug up for compost, which means that there are no artificial fertilizers involved. And grass is tolerant of different amounts of fertilizer, so that the amount you apply will not be entirely unnecessary.
So why, then, would anyone want to limit his or her yard or garden to traditional houseplants, such as lilies, and call these “recycleable?” The fact is that many people do want to limit their yard planting to only plants that can be used, either in their natural state or as a houseplant. But this desire to keep things traditional also creates the need to find yard and garden plants that can be recycled, and are landscaping plants recyclable?
The answer is simple: because this is the way that most yard owners want to do things. It is a faster, less expensive way to get the same effect as other, more expensive garden plants. And it is easier to handle yard debris, such as weeds, into the compost, and to work with garden plants than it is to work with anything, for example, grass, into a garden. These are the reasons that most people who landscape their yards do so, and they do it with yard and garden plants that are recyclable.
There are some plants that cannot be recycled, no matter how much you love them and want to save them for a rainy day. This includes such perennial plants as oaks, maples, beets and such. Even if you are able to get your perennials to survive, you may not like the idea of disposing of them after you have harvested the harvest from them. And if you have ever planted an entire lawn with them, you know that this can be a very labor-intensive task. For this reason, if you are landscaping plants and are having trouble answering the question, “Are landscaping plants recyclable?” then you may wish to choose plants that can be recycled easily, such as those that are ephemeral, which means they will grow and die within a few days.
A beautiful yard is the key to creating a beautiful home. The best way to ensure that your yard is landscaped in such a way that is compatible with the environment is by planting a diversity of yard garden plants, both annual and perennial, and by using mulch to protect the soil from the effects of weather. In doing so, you will give your yard the best chance at making it look its very best.