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 There are many things we can do to reduce pollution when caring for our lawn and garden.
Landscape design
Consider looking at your landscape differently. Perhaps you can reduce you lawn area and still maintain the same lawn-based activities. Even reducing the size of your lawn can have a terrific effect on keeping the Sound healthy. Some questions you should consider are:
– What do you like about your lawn?
– How much do you and your family actually use your lawn?
– Do you use the neighborhood park more often?
Many people are unaware that you can maintain that same openness by replacing all or part of your lawn with another lush, green groundcover or even a meadow of wildflowers, both of which will be virtually maintenance-free. This transformation can provide you with unbelievable display of foliage and blooms that change weekly. If you take this approach, and replace the sod with native wildflowers, grasses and ground covers, your lawn will need only an annual mowing. In addition, once it's established, a “lawn full of native plants almost never needs watering, which will make your lawn the best-looking in your neighborhood when drought turns all the other yards brown.
Returning the grassy area of your yard to a meadow of indigenous species will also attract birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects to your yard.” LINKS: for native plant gardens; butterfly gardens; backyard habitats.
If you have actively decided to have a traditional yard, follow the information and suggestions below to do to make it as environmentally and Sound friendly as possible.
This will result in better nutrient and water retention. |
Aerate soil to promote water infiltration and deep root growth. |
Deep root growth helps crowd out weeds and makes for healthy grass. |
If possible, shrink your lawn and replace with native plant species or low growing groundcovers. |
Sharpen lawn mower blades. Dull blades can tear grass making it more susceptible to disease. |
Leave grass clippings on your lawn (adds nitrogen) and add compost to soil to increase organic matter. |
Keep grass 3 inches tall. Shorter grass is susceptible to weeds, has less surface area for taking in sunlight, and has weak roots. |
Over fertilization will runoff into waterways and actually makes grass more vulnerable to disease. Additionally, it makes the lawn grow faster, so you have to mow more often. |
If you are going to use synthetic fertilizers, feed your lawn at the right time of the year. Feed once in the fall to promote strong roots and healthy spring growth.
- If you still need to fertilize GO ORGANIC!
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- If you spill fertilizers, sweep them up, do not wash them into the streets and storm drains.
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- Avoid fertilizing before heavy rain or during long, dry spells.
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- Never fertilize before April 1 or after October 15.
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- Do not water your grass every night. This wastes water and encourages shallow root formation. Soak, at the most, once per week (about 1”)- and rainfall COUNTS!
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- If you need to use a weed killer try Corn-gluten meal [ LINK] instead of a chemical. It is a by-product of food processing used to feed livestock that is also a proven killer of weed, seeds, and seedlings.
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- BE CAREFUL WHEN USING CHEMICALS. READ AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS!
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- When you have leftover or old fertilizers, save them for a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in your community.
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LINKS for more information:
Connecticut Hazardous Waste Collection.
New York Hazardous Waste Collection.
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