• Well-designed landscapes in Indiana often require little maintenance.landscaping tools image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
  
  Landscaping in Midwestern states, such as Indiana, often brings up many questions and concerns. Midwestern landscapers and gardeners are increasingly concerned about economic and ecological issues. Landscaping with native plants and healthy soil helps to ensure that plants perform well, without damaging local ecosystems. Many gardeners landscape sustainably with vegetable- and fruit-producing plants, organically grown among the typical landscape flora of flowers, shrubs and trees.
  
  

Native Plant Species

• The Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society (INPAWS) recommends landscaping with plants native to Indiana. INPAWS has compiled a non-exhaustive list of native plants that grow well with minimal maintenance, as long as gardeners meet light and water requirements. Landscaping with native plants helps keep invasive plant species from spreading and damaging local ecosystems. Native Indiana plants do well in a variety of light and water conditions; they include plants that grow along edge-water areas and those with full-sun to shade light requirements. Native Indiana landscapes can easily be tailored to attract indigenous wildlife, such as birds and butterflies. Native Indiana plant selections also offer fall and winter color displays and erosion control.
  
  

Improved Soil

• Many Indiana landscapers need to improve poor or maintain good soil quality. Soil health is best maintained with good erosion control and the use of compost or organic-matter soil aggregates, soil additives designed to offer nutrient benefits to growing plants. Controlling wind and water topsoil erosion requires planting in mulch beds in most landscapes. Exposed soil experiences the most damage from erosive forces. Closely spaced plants, such as grass or other ground-cover plants, help protect soil in large open areas, but these plants frequently do not grow in the shade found under shrubs or trees. Using mulch as a soil ground cover protects exposed areas, while also providing plants with nutrients the decomposing mulch leaves behind.
  
  

Sustainable Gardening

• Gardening sustainably creates beauty in form and function. Many garden plants produce attractive foliage, as well as edible seedpods or fruit. Even gardeners with limited landscape areas often create container gardens around the home, including on decks, porches and even roofs, that provide food and attractive foliage and improve air quality. Dr. Job S. Ebenezer, president of Technology for the Poor, recommends container gardening in urban settings lacking designated garden or landscape areas. Using hanging-plant containers or building raised gardens or window beds increases the landscape and garden potential in apartments or rentals that don't permit major landscape changes.