Many homeowners take great pride in their lawns. There’s nothing like an emerald green carpet of grass to spruce up your property and boost its curb appeal. Unfortunately, lawn and landscape care can be costly and bad for the environment. For most American households, keeping a lawn nice and green wastes many resources such as water. The addition of toxic chemicals and synthetic fertilizers is also harmful to the environment.
Thankfully, there is a better and more sustainable way to care for your lawn. Follow these simple eco-friendly lawn care tips to save energy, water and the planet while still maintaining a stunning green lawn.
Use environmentally friendly instant turf
As a natural product, instant turf is environmentally friendly since it is grown on farms and uses sustainable farming methods. Unlike artificial grass, living instant turf releases oxygen back into the air for a healthy environment. Turf grass is also known to reduce allergens in the air by trapping dust and airborne allergens as well as cooling the area around our homes – which can help reduce power bills. Laying instant turf is a relatively easy process and requires less upkeep than growing grass from seed, saving you time and precious resources.
Choose a water-saving grass type
Drought-tolerant grass varieties are the best choice for areas that get hardly any rain. These lawn types are a great investment as they provide a beautiful green lawn while requiring less water and maintenance. If you live in a hot area, then consider choosing a drought-tolerant turf such as Zoysia or TifTuf Bermuda as these are much more water-efficient than other grass types due to their ability to go dormant for up to five weeks during drought conditions without dying out.
Make your own natural pesticide
70 million pounds of pesticides are used for lawn maintenance every year in the U.S. alone, creating devastating effects on the ecosystem. Most commercial pesticides contain harmful chemicals that can leech into the soil and poison local waterways as well as present a danger to pets and local wildlife including honeybees. A more eco-friendly way to combat weeds and pests is to make your own natural lawn pesticide using a combination of peppermint, thyme, and rosemary essential oil.
Organic fertilizer
Like pesticides, commercial fertilizers have a substantial environmental impact. These fertilizers contain large concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus which can run off into storm drains, flow into waterways and contaminate water by causing algal blooms. A standard lawn emits up to 6 times more CO2 than what can be absorbed during photosynthesis through mowing, irrigating, and fertilizing – including the production and transportation of the fertilizer. To combat this, ditch the fertilizer and use organic compost instead.
Encourage a deep root system
Healthier lawns require less maintenance than sick lawns. Helping your grass develop a deep root system will reduce your need for excessive watering, fertilizing and mowing. This is because lawns with deeper roots are able to draw more moisture from the soil. One way to stimulate deeper roots is by never cutting more than one-third of the leaf blade when mowing.
Increase garden biodiversity
By planting natives in your garden, you can boost your yard’s biodiversity by building habitat gardens. These gardens provide food and shelter for wildlife and restore the balance of the local ecosystem. Having native flowers in your garden can support the health of your lawn by maintaining soil pH and creating a healthy predator vs prey balance which further reduces the need for pesticide use.
Collect water using a tank
Americans go through approximately 9 billion gallons of water per day, with landscape irrigation accounting for nearly one-third of all residential water use.
It’s essential to find ways to conserve water, especially if you are using a lot of it to keep your lawn healthy. One of the best ways to save water is by collecting rainwater in a rainwater tank. This helps you save money while preserving your water use and maintaining a sustainable lawn.
Use an electric or manual mower
Did you know that using a gas-powered mower for just one hour emits the same amount of air pollution as a car driving for 100 miles? Luckily there are now more energy-efficient lawnmowers on the market today that can reduce your carbon footprint while keeping your lawn well-maintained. Opt for an old-fashioned rotary mower for a low-maintenance cost and low environmental impact, or, try a battery-powered or electric mower. These will give you the same lush lawn but without the energy costs.
Keep these tips in mind to create a greener, cleaner lawn
Sustainable lawn care practices include everything from choosing water-saving grasses, swapping out chemicals for organic lawn fertilizer and weed control, preserving natural resources, and encouraging local biodiversity wherever possible. These eco-friendly lawn tips will not only leave you with an impressive yard but will also help you to save water and energy and contribute to a healthier, happier planet!
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