A picturesque garden deserves a perfect frame! Adding paths, walkways, and pits in between the beds enhance any garden’s beauty while providing convenient places to walk, work, or just sit for a spell to enjoy the surroundings. But while asphalt, cement, and other paving materials do the job, they’re not so environmentally friendly. Water runoff, heat islands, and other problems may hurt your garden and make it a less pleasant place to be. Permeable paving, on the other hand, comes with a wealth of benefits for you, your garden, and the surrounding ecosystem. Here are four reasons permeable paving is the greenest choice.
Promotes Groundwater Recharging
Groundwater recharging is the process by which the soil absorbs rain and other water, processes and purifies it, and returns it to the ecosystem. Concrete, asphalt, and other paving materials block this process, allowing water to run off into storm drains or pool in your garden. These blockages lead to pollution (through chemicals in the pacing materials), which may kill off plant life. Permeable paving allows the water to pass through the paving and return to the earth, replenishing the aquifers below.
Reduces Heat Island Effect
Concrete and asphalt absorb the sun’s heat all day long and release it at night, contributing to heat islands. On a bigger scale, these heat islands are why cities are often warmer and why it’s harder for the earth to cool down in the evening. At garden level traditional paving materials make it significantly warmer. Permeable paving, on the other hand, absorbs far less heat, making your garden a cooler place while not contributing to the heat island effect of an area.
Prevent Soil Erosion
Excessive runoff from impervious surfaces, such as asphalt and concrete, often leads to soil erosion. Water runoff may flood and carry away soil, which is bad for your garden and the environment. Permeable paving prevents soil erosion by allowing water to pass through, reducing runoff volume and speed. This reduction minimizes erosion and helps garden beds and landscaping maintain their integrity.
Supports Sustainable Landscaping
Landscaping is a balance of beauty and environmental responsibility. Permeable paving is the future of responsible paving because it’s a terrific tool for making landscaping greener. It encourages water conservation, minds its effects on the immediate and surrounding land, and reduces any potential harm to the environment—and it looks great!
Those are just four reasons permeable paving is the greenest choice for your garden. Using native plants, composting, conserving energy, and more is as smart and green a choice as using permeable paving for paths, tree pits, and other purposes.
