Green Yard Tips

steen05

I am trying to compile a list of green yard tips to post on my companies Geen Site.  It is an internal website that we use to help promote green living within our company. 

I have two
- leave your leaves = don't rake up the leaves in your flowerbeds until spring.  It helps keep your plants protected in the winter.

- Use a mulcher = buy a lawn mower that will mulch the grass clippings and spreads them over the yard.  Your yard will require less mulch or fertilizer and it saves on plastic bags for clippings. 

 What are your suggestions? 

SuperGreen

-Start a compost pile.  Not only will you be reducing your household contribution to the landfill, you'll be making the best thing you can put on your plants at the same time.

-Stop using chemical fertilizers or herbicides.  Remove weeds by hand instead of spraying with Roundup, and place compost around your plants so they'll have the nutrients they need to grow big and strong and crowd out weeds.  Your local streams, lakes, and rivers will thank you.

-Replace some, if not all, of your lawn with planting beds instead of grass.  Grass requires untold amounts of water to keep its shallow root structure alive, and is vulnerable to weeds and pests that you've probably been using herbicides to kill so far.  If you just must have grass, try a hardier more drought-tolerant type.  Your local agricultural extension office can recommend what varieties to try.

-Use a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.  You'll get the water right where it needs to be, the roots, and reduce runoff and evaporation common to sprinkling water on the tops of leaves only.

curlydoglover

Mow high - set your mower to 3".  This helps choke out weeds and actually reduces the frequency of mowing.

Water only when your grass shows signs of drought stress and then water deeply (put a cup in your sprinkler zone and make sure it gets at least an inch of water).

jennyk213

Get a soil test to make sure you're not over fertilizing (which contributes to runoff). 

Top dress your lawn with a high quality compost every spring or late fall, aerate, overseed and spray compost tea.  This will help increase the number of good organisms that your soil needs to grow healthy grass and plants...and get rid of weeds.

Weeds are the result of an imbalance in your lawn.  Correct the imbalance and you'll get rid of the weeds.  Creeping Charlie is a result of calcium deficiency and pH imbalance...correct those and you should notice the creeping charlie decreasing.  Crabgrass likes hot and dry conditions so water, fertilize and mow grass high to choke it out.  Dandelions can be a result of compact soil, calcium deficiency an/or pH imbalance.  Aerate and top dress with a high quality compost to loosen the soil and correct the pH.  You can buy calcium to add to the lawn. 

Plant a rain garden to help divert runoff from the sewer system or fix a drainage problem in your yard.

Some good books:

The Organic Lawn Care Manual by Paul Tukey

The Chemical Free Lawn by Warren Schultz

Start With the Soil by Grace Gershuny

Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening by Rodale Press

ksdk

Consider leaving areas of scrub and logs for wildlife habitat. Small animals like chipmunks, squirrels and songbirds need protection from the elements.

Don't cut down healthy trees, and leave dead trees that don't pose a threat to people or property. Healthy trees provide shade, fresh air, wildlife habitat, cooling, beauty, increased property value, and protection from wind. They prevent soil erosion and runoff of fertilizers and pesticides/herbicides into waterways. Dead trees provide sanctuary for the little creatures noted above, as well as raccoons, possums, and large birds.

Plant a butterfly/bee garden to attract pollinators.

steen05

Thanks ladies!  You were a huge help!

barbnsteve

Wow these are great tips!!  I can't wait til I have a yard!