Do’s and Don’t's for green lawns and gardens
By Laurie Posted on May 4th, 2012 in Environment, Gardening, Latest News, Living Green |
It seems like summer is just starting, as we finally veer towards the warmer weather. We’re also starting to pay more attention to our gardens and lawns, so making good decisions is imperative to maintaining the greenest of your great outdoors.
Don’t cut the lawn shorter than two inches.
Keeping it between two and three inches delivers a stronger, deeper root system, which in turn, requires less watering. It also helps keep it alive in the hottest months.
Do use hand-operated tools when you can.
Trim and mow by hand, cutting down your contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Combined, they deliver about 5% of total emissions, and making this swap is an easy solution.
Do design your garden efficiently.
Planning is the key, taking into account the existing environment such as trees, plants, sun, wind and water. The landscape design should ensure water drainage back to the ground’s water table, and permeable dry-laid materials such pea gravel and flagstone should be inter-planted with other ground covers in your hardscaping. Patios and walkways should be sloped so water drains into the garden bed.
Don’t underestimate soil – it’s your best fertilizer
Manmade, chemical fertilizers aren’t either the most cost efficient or eco-friendly. The best source of nutrients for plants is quality soil. And always add a topcoat of mulch, which helps plants retain water longer, and fend off weeds.
Do water less frequently, and do water longer
Plant root systems weaken with frequent watering, and this also wastes water and time. The key is to water less often, but deeper, allowing root systems to become hardier and survive drought.
Do remember to love nature
Organic gardening is actually easier than using chemicals. Simple as that.
Add your tips below!
Image courtesy of transformcompost.com
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