Green building practices are important for the future of our environment and our lifestyles. Although building a green home may require a little more work and money upfront, it can save you energy and money in the long run. And, of course, it can help save the environment.  Once you’re interested, the first step to building your green home is preparing your lot for construction. While many people leave this step up to the contractor, it’s worth it to spend some extra time thinking about how you plan to excavate your lot. The ways in which you prepare your lot can affect how sustainable yo ..read more

Planting a vegetable garden is a sustainable living practice sure to provide delicious produce, reduced grocery bills, and natural stress relief. However, if you’re new to gardening, it may be difficult to know how much to plant. You can definitely plant too little and be underwhelmed, but you’re more likely to overdo it and be overwhelmed with a surplus of veggies come harvest season.  In terms of sustainable living, throwing the extras away isn’t a good option. Luckily, the best thing about vegetables is that there are a bunch of things you can do with them when you’ve accidentally grow ..read more

At Couch Mountain, we know we’re building for the future. That’s why we focus on incorporating sustainable practices into every aspect of our homesites. When you think of sustainable building, you may immediately think of saving energy — and that’s great! Green energy systems are critical to the protection of our natural resources. However, amidst thinking about energy, you may forget the cornerstone of sustainable building: the materials you use.  It turns out, the materials you use to build your home are just as important as energy-saving practices when it comes to building sustainably ..read more

Are you looking for more ways to live sustainably this summer? Look no further than your own backyard! Building a backyard habitat is one of the best ways to practice sustainable, green yard care. Although it may sound like a big change and a long process, it’s actually quite simple. We’ll outline the steps you need to take to build a backyard habitat here: What Is a Backyard Habitat? Put simply, a backyard habitat is an environment you create in your backyard that provides a healthy ecosystem and refuge for local wildlife. It’s filled with native plants, water, and shelter that attracts nativ ..read more

In Asheville, NC, we know what hot and humid feels like. With average July temperatures in the 80s and 90s, summer days get pretty toasty here.  No need to fear, though. The good news is that Asheville offers a bunch of fun activities to help you embrace (or escape!) the heat. Here’s a list of our favorite things to do in and around Asheville, NC on a hot summer day: Try A New Water Activity Water activities are a great way to stay outdoors and cool down at the same time. With the famous French Broad River and various lakes nearby, Asheville offers many water sports that anyone can enjoy ..read more

Whether you’re just beginning your gardening journey or you’ve been doing it for years, keeping pests away is probably the most challenging (and annoying) problem you’ll face. There are a lot of products and pesticides on the market that help, but many of them aren’t sustainable and can harm pollinators and the environment. The good news is, there are also a lot of natural garden pest control remedies out there too, and they’re just as simple and effective! Here are a few environmentally friendly methods of stopping those pesky insects, fungi, and animals from getting at your crops: Can I Str ..read more

Going out to eat can be a little tricky when you’re vegan. From finding options you can eat to ensuring you’re supporting businesses with values that align with your own, it’s bound to cost you a bunch of time and Google searches to find the right place.  Luckily, there is no shortage of vegan restaurants here in Asheville, NC for you to enjoy. The city is known for its culinary excellence and fresh, farm-to-table dining options, making it a sustainability-focused foodie’s dream. Here’s a list of some of our favorite vegan restaurants for you to try in Asheville (in no particular order ..read more

Hendersonville has a lot to offer. From a pristine downtown overflowing with history to nearby hiking and outdoor exploration opportunities, it truly is a great place to call home —- especially if you live an environmentally-conscious lifestyle. Now that the weather is warming up, farmers markets are a great way to stock up on fresh local produce and meet other community members that practice sustainable living. Hendersonville’s farmers market returns this spring on May 8th. Located at the Historic Train Depot on Maple Street, this market is a community hub for gathering and sharing fresh pro ..read more

Energy efficiency is more popular than ever — not only to reduce monthly payments on things like electricity, water, and natural gas — but also to create a greener world. The gold standard of energy efficiency is a zero energy home. Zero energy homes aren’t a return to life on the prairie — they still include the modern comforts of running water and electricity. What are they, and how can you get your own? Read on for the answers to these questions and more. What are Zero Energy Homes? Zero energy homes are designed to reduce the amount of energy needed for daily life, and produce that amount ..read more

The weather is getting nicer in Asheville, NC and it’s a great time to get outside and get moving! If you’re looking to try new activities to stay active this spring, we’ve got you covered.  6 of the Best Outdoor Things to Do in Asheville NC From biking, hiking, and running, to walking through town, here are several of our favorite outdoor things to do in Asheville, NC. #1 Trail Running If you’re a fan of hiking and exploring the great outdoors around Asheville, NC, trail running is another great way to escape into nature while getting a great workout. Trail running is great exercise beca ..read more