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Green living isn't just for indoors. You can create a yard and garden that look great without harming your yard's other occupants -- birds and insects. Plus, you'll be able to brag to buyers about your eco-friendly lawn. Here are some things to try:

1. Build your deck with earth-friendly materials.

A lot of deck materials come from tropical hardwoods. If you choose to go with a hardwood deck, make sure you choose wood that has been harvested sustainably. This helps the environment and preserves endangered rain forests. Western red cedar is a great option; it needs less energy and produces less waste to manufacture than materials like steel and concrete. It's also biodegradable and can be recycled.

For an even greener option, try composite decking. It's made from a combination of wood waste and recycled plastic, so no old-growth trees are cut down. It lasts longer than ordinary wood decking and requires less maintenance. Plus, it won't warp, crack, splinter or rot.