With a little planning, lush lawns and gardens are possible without toxics. And simple strategies can cut spring and summer water and energy usage.
For a thick, green lawn, deep roots are essential. Did you know that grass that is watered too much and cropped close will have small, weak roots? That means less watering and mowing leads to a better lawn!
The following Green Quick Fixes will help you transition to an organic and well-managed lawn and garden by practicing water conservation, sound mowing strategies, battling weeds and pests naturally, and understanding what landscapers truly offer.
Water right
Beyond your lawn's appearance, there are serious regional water supply issues to consider before carelessly dousing your lawn at random intervals.
Weekly, water lawns to a 1-inch level.
To measure, place a can next to your sprinkler and track the time until 1 inch is reached.
To test if a lawn needs watering, walk across it, and after three to five minutes, check if footprints are visible.
If not, then the lawn is hydrated enough to ensure grass blades spring back!
Water before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
During midday, water evaporates quickly. In high summer heat, it can scald grass.
Harvest rainwater with rain barrels.
Conserve public supply and vital freshwater sources and mitigate polluting runoff.
Keep a whiteboard by the outdoor tap to track watering.
Mow sensibly
Mowing uses energy — gas or electric.
Cut grass to 3 inches high to grow the strongest roots that result in the greenest grass and to shade out unwanted weeds.
Raise mower blade levels and keep them sharp to avoid damaging grass and spreading plant diseases. The Ecological Landscaping Association and other experts recommend sharpening after every 10 hours of use.
Consider a manual push mower — especially for smaller yards.
Kick the pesticide habit
Strong pesticides and herbicides are dangerous to the environment, wildlife and families. These chemicals easily reach groundwater, beaches, lakes, streams and fresh water supplies when they leach through soils or runoff with rain.
And since they can be marched indoors from your yard — rubbing off on carpets and furniture — children, adults and pets are affected because they easily assimilate through the skin.
These "icides" also eliminate beneficial bacteria, fungi, insects, worms and more that are important to growing a great lawn and garden.
Battle weeds organically by removing seedlings and their taproots with a weedfork early, before they spread.
For persistent weed spots, apply a vinegar-based herbicide.
For crabgrass, apply corn gluten meal in the early spring, though not at the same time as grass seed.¬
Corn gluten contains 10 percent nitrogen, so be careful to avoid overfertilization and throwing soil pH off balance.
For pests, try integrated pest management strategies and procure nematodes and other beneficial insects that feed on beetle grubs and others.
Attract birds, bats and other predators by incorporating plants and trees that are natural habitat or by putting up bird and bat houses.
More information is available at www.kidsgardening.com/growingideas/sept_01/5pest_patrol.htm and www.eartheasy.com/grow_nat_pest_cntrl.htm.
For pesticide disposal, go to Earth911.org. Do not trash these hazardous wastes — it's illegal.
Ask questions
According to the Massachusetts Greenscapes program, not all landscapers that advertise green practices are "greenscapers." The five most important questions to ask are:
1. Does this landscaper do a soil test?¬
2. What products does this landscaper use?¬
3. Does this landscaper apply weed controls on a fixed schedule?
4. What is your landscaper's pest management philosophy?¬
5. Does this landscaper apply fertilizer without checking soil needs?
Go to www.greenscapes.org/Page-225.html to learn more about hiring the right "greenscaper."
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Andrea Fox, a Beverly resident, has been writing about environmental sustainability and eco-topics for nine years. She is a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists and a watershed protection advocate in Salem Sound Watershed.
