Green Savings: The Cost-Effective Choice of Native Landscaping Over Turf Grass
When it comes to landscaping, it's not just about the aesthetic appeal but also the economic impact. In Nebraska, and indeed much of America, the lush, green turf grass lawn has been the standard for decades. But is it the most cost-effective choice? Surprisingly, no. The hidden costs of turf grass, both in installation and maintenance, make a compelling case for an alternative: native landscaping.
The Upfront Investment - Installation Costs: Let's talk numbers. Initial installation costs per acre for turf grass can range from $7,800 to a whopping $14,825. In contrast, native landscaping comes in at a much more affordable $3,400 to $5,975. That's a potential saving of up to $8,850 per acre right from the start. These numbers aren't just hypothetical. Real-world studies, including one by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, have consistently shown that native landscaping is kinder to your wallet.
The Long-Term View - Maintenance Costs: The savings don't stop after installation. On average, annual maintenance for turf grass can cost between $5,550 and $6,471 per acre. Compare that to native landscaping, which ranges from $1,600 to $1,788 annually. Over a decade, you could save anywhere between $3,950 and $4,683 per acre each year by choosing native plants over traditional grass.
Consider Prairie Crossings in Grayslake, Illinois, where native prairie landscaping proved to be 56% cheaper to install than turf grass. The story is the same with ongoing maintenance, with native prairie averaging $3,400 less per acre per year in costs compared to turf grass.
Case in Point - Owen Corning Campus: Owens Corning, a Fortune 500 company, offers a striking real-world example. On their Toledo, Ohio campus, they maintain both turf and prairie grass areas. The annual maintenance costs for the turf grass areas are significantly higher – about $6,675 per acre, compared to a mere $140 for prairie grass. That's almost 1/50th the cost!
The 20-Year Horizon - Cumulative Costs: The long-term benefits are even more pronounced. A study by Applied Ecological Services in Broadhead, Wisconsin, found that over 20 years, the cumulative cost of maintaining prairie grasses totals approximately $3,000 per acre, compared to about $20,000 per acre for turf grass. That's a saving of $17,000 per acre over two decades!
Conclusion - Think Beyond the Lawn: Transitioning to native landscaping isn't just an environmental or aesthetic choice; it's an economically savvy one. The initial savings in installation and the drastic reductions in long-term maintenance costs make native landscaping a financially sound decision. So next time you're considering your landscaping options, remember: native plants offer not just a burst of natural beauty but a boost to your budget too.
Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we'll delve into the environmental benefits of choosing native landscaping over traditional turf grass. The savings go beyond just your wallet – they extend to the planet as well.