Perhaps you live in an area of the country where water is scarce, or you simply want to do more to help the environment. Whatever your reasons, it is possible to have a beautifully landscaped, lush yard without wasting a ton of water or being environmentally unfriendly. Here are four ideas for incorporating more eco-friendly landscaping into your yard:

Install Synthetic Turf

Synthetic turf has come a long way from the obviously fake stuff used at mini golf courses. Modern synthetic turf looks like real grass and is soft and comfortable to the touch. Synthetic turf requires no watering, so not only is it an eco-friendly option, but it will save you time and money too. It's also safe for kids and pets and incredibly low maintenance.

Add Native Plants

Planting flowers, herbs, plants, and shrubs that grow locally instead of buying plants that are meant to grow in other regions is great for the environment. Native, local plants thrive much more easily, which means they require less water, pesticides, and fertilizer. Planting native plants helps encourage the local ecosystem (including bees and birds) to thrive as well. You can get started by finding native plants for your state here.

Add a Drip Irrigation System to Your Garden

If you plant a garden, you should definitely consider installing a drip irrigation system at the same time. These are designed to get just the right amount of water straight to your plants, instead of wasting tons of water like sprinklers or hand watering with a hose tends to do. As an added bonus, you won't need to spend nearly as much time tending to your garden since your drip irrigation system will be doing the watering for you.

Set Up a Compost Bin

Adding a compost bin to your yard makes your whole household more "green." Instead of throwing vegetable scraps, fruit peels, and other kitchen waste into the trash, you can toss them in your compost bin where they will turn into rich composting soil. You can then use this in your garden to help it thrive. Compost is so rich in nutrients and good at helping plants retain moisture that you will probably find you need less water and less fertilizer in your garden, too.

By incorporating these landscaping ideas, your yard will soon be much more earth-friendly, while also being a beautiful place to spend time with your friends and family.