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Wondering what’s you can do to help the planets?
The worsening condition of climate change is set to speed up the loss of biodiversity lawn maintenance. This means a decrease in plants and animals affecting our global supply of food. In addition, extreme weather conditions are also more likely to hit the world.
Don’t fret yet, as we can still help reduce the effects of climate change. What better way to start than in our backyard. Here are 10 eco-friendly lawn maintenance tips to help mitigate climate change.
1. Don’t Overwater Your Lawn
While your lawn needs water to survive, it doesn’t mean that you have to water it every day. Too much watering isn’t only unnecessary, but it can also lead to increased use of lawn care chemicals.
Note that frequent but shallow lawn watering leads to drought-vulnerable roots. The key to a well-replenished lawn is to water it deeply. In general, lawns need 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week to make sure that the water reaches the roots.
2. Set-up Outdoor Rain Barrel
Another way to turn your lawn maintenance eco-friendly is by using recycled water. One good way of doing this is by setting up a recycled barrel under your downspout. This will gather rainwater that you can use when watering instead of using the main water supply.
If you live in an area where it rarely rains, use reclaimed water. This is wastewater that has undergone various processes to make it eligible for reuse. Doing so will help you conserve water and keep your water bill to a minimum.
3. Ditch Synthetic Fertilizers
Fertilizers help increase farm productivity and keep your backyards green. However, fertilizers are one of the contributing agents to climate change.
Fertilizers account for 1.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. One ton of manufactured fertilizer creates 2 tons of carbon dioxide. To help lessen carbon footprint, ditch synthetic fertilizers.
4. Throw Out Pesticides
Most flowering plants depend on the pollination of bees and other similar bugs. However, there’s an alarming decrease in the population of these pollinators today. Scientists link the demise of bees, frogs, and even bats to pesticides.
Pesticides not only kill, harm, and repel these insects. When not fully absorbed, these chemicals contaminate groundwater. They can even runoff into lakes, streams, and rivers, endangering aquatic life.
Fortunately, you can help prevent these from starting from your lawn. The first step is to throw away or stop using pesticides. Next, allow weeds and native plants to grow to help make a sanctuary for bugs and bees.
5. Go for Organic Lawn Care Products
The most common problem with organic fertilizers is that they take time. However, their long-term effects are more cost-effective and less damaging to the environment.
Organic fertilizers improve soil and make them lighter. This allows air to pass through easily and flow to the plant roots, making them healthier.
They also help increase water retention helping you lessen water use. Further, organic fertilizers don’t waste nutrients and are safer for children and pets alike.
Thus, don’t throw away the grass clippings when you trim your yard. Instead, recycle them and make them an organic fertilizer for your lawn. For pesticides, there are alternatives that you can create using ingredients at home.
6. Use Alternatives to Turf Grass
Every homeowner dreams of a perfectly lush and green lawn when they look out their window. While going green on your lawn can mean giving up on fertilizers, a lush green lawn is still achievable.
Alternatives to turfgrass include groundcover plants such as clover, barberry cotoneaster, and such. These alternatives not only make a verdant green lawn but also eliminate the need for mowing. Specifically, clover requires little maintenance, aerates the soil, and suppresses weed growth.
Flowering groundcover plants like sweet woodruff and horned violets are also great options. Whichever you choose, growing a natural lawn is one of the lawn maintenance tips you should never skip out on.
7. Longer Grass Is Stronger Grass
Long grass looks aesthetically distracting, but it can be beneficial when kept at an adequate length. For one, tall grass offers shade to the soil and helps prevent weed germination.
It also encourages roots to grow deeper and proves to help soil absorb and filter water better. As a result, there will be less water runoff, which will reduce soil erosion.
Aside from these, it also attracts various insects such as butterflies and bees. This helps pollinate your plants, keeping them alive.
8. Create a Compost Pit for Your Organic Waste
The best way to maintain fertile soil is to add nutrients using your organic waste. Illinois, among others, are some of the areas that have to deal with clay and infertile soils. If you live in similar areas, it’s best to create a compost pit or bin in your yard.
Consider spreading compost over the top of your grass. This will make your lawn healthier without depleting soil quality. Thus, allowing you to maintain a thriving emerald green eco-oasis in your lawn.
9. Organic Mulch is the Way
Organic mulches include wood chips, pine needles, and leaves. Shredded tree barks and coconut fiber are also examples of organic mulch that you can use.
What’s great about organic mulches is that they decompose and become a soil nutrient. Mulch also reduces soil water loss and helps keep weed germination to a minimum level.
Moreover, it improves soil aeration and drainage reducing chances of soil erosion. In addition, they help keep your soil warm during winter and cool during summer as they’re also insulators. Most of all, mulches add aesthetic appeal to your lawn as they prevent your plants from getting dirty.
10. Use Biodegradable Pots
Another way that you can turn your lawn eco-friendly is to use biodegradable pots. Biodegradable pots such as coconut fiber pots and paper sleeve pots break down and serve as a nutrient to the soil.
Browse for More Lawn Maintenance Tips Today
The environment served as our home and provided us with everything we needed for thousands of years. It’s time to give back by going green not only in terms of electricity but also on our lawns. Make sure to apply these ten lawn maintenance tips to achieve an aesthetically pleasing but eco-friendly lawn! We have more tips and trick up our sleeves, and we’re dying to share them. So head down to our site today and check out our latest post to learn more.