A well manicured lawn is something every homeowner hopes to achieve.  However, the way in which many people and lawn care companies go about providing this type of yard can be very rough on the environment.  The good news is that you can still have that beautiful green grass you want without burdening our ecosystem.  Here’s a few tips on how to make your lawn green (pun intended).

1. Water Smart: Providing your grass with the water it needs requires more planning than just turning on the sprinkler whenever it looks a little brown.  The amount of water you use, the time of day you water and how you water your lawn are all important factors for a healthy lawn as well as water conservation. The best time of day to water your grass and plants is early in the morning, because this is when evaporation levels are at their lowest, meaning you save water and your grass is able to absorb more of what you give it.  It is also best to water your grass for a longer period of time but very slowly as opposed to a quick drench, which your grass will struggle to absorb resulting in weak, shallow roots.  Overwatering not only is wasteful but it can allow diseases to take root in your grass.
2. Rain Barrels: There are ways to increase your sustainability not only in the way you water your lawn but with the source of water you use as well. Today, there are a range of different types of rain barrels that can be purchased for home use.  Large trashcan sized barrels will collect rain water and a connected hose allows you to use this to water your lawn and plants.
3. Organic Fertilizers: Arguably one of the most harmful aspects of lawn care is fertilizing. Many of the products sold in stores and used by some professional companies contain chemicals that can not only be problematic to your own yard long term, but they can be carried off by rainwater and infect bodies of water.  There’s no denying that fertilizing is a necessary aspect of lawn care, but there are safer ways to go about this process. If you are purchasing fertilizer on your own, do your homework and research the product and look for organic fertilizers.  You can also ask your lawn care professional if they have organic products available and request they use them on your lawn.
4. Compost: Starting a compost pile at your home has endless benefits.  It reduces waste you send to the landfill, provides you with nutrient rich soil to use in your lawn and garden and reduces the need for fertilizers for your yard.  Composting is both eco-friendly and cost saving.  Check back next week for more details on how to compost.