Green Lawn Care

Posted by admin on May 12, 2009

It’s that time of the year…
start taking care of your lawn.

Raise your lawnmower’s height. Taking off more than 1/3 of the height of the grass at any one time will seriously hurt your lawn’s ability to photosynthesize. Leaving a taller lawn will not mean you have to mow more frequently. Like all plants, grass relies on its leaves to produce energy. When too much of that productive area is removed during mowing, the plant races to grow more.

Compost or mulch the grass clippings. Use the mower’s mulching setting to return extra nutrients to the lawn.

Control Irrigation. Install shut off devices that stop irrigation when it’s raining, or install a smart controller that waters according to local weather, soil conditions, and plant type. Also review sprinklers’ positioning and coverage quarterly, repairing any broken or leaking sprinkler heads. Reposition to eliminate runoff onto pavement.

Use an eco mower to mow the lawn. No gas, no noise. Just eco friendly way of mowing the grass.

Pull weeds by hand or mow over them frequently. Weeds, like grass, rely on sunlight for food. Frequently removing those leaves will hinder their ability to grow.

Consider some creative landscaping. While this doesn’t improve your lawn itself it can improve your landscaping and save you money time and is eco friendly. Planting native plants, especially those that use less water, will decrease the overall impact of your lawn-related activities. Rain gardens or grassy swales can help you reduce storm water runoff.You should also plant wildlife-friendly flower, fruit, and vegetable gardens.

Plant large trees. Planting deciduous, shade trees on the south and west side of the house can reduce summer cooling costs and lower energy consumption, which also translates into reduced carbon emissions. Trees are also valuable in shading paved areas to help reduce heat in your landscape. Shrubs and wildflowers can also provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for wildlife. Avoid planting invasive species.