Green your grass
It’s hard to resist the appeal of a luxurious lawn. But maintaining that plush,
verdant expanse consumes tremendous resources. According to the U.S. Geological
Survey, 7. 8 billion gallons of water go toward outdoor use each year. That’s not to
mention the gas used to rev up all those mowers. Here are some pointers to make
your grass more environmentally sound—and still make your neighbors green with
envy. Check out safelawns.org for more tips.
Go unplugged. Park that gas-guzzling cutter
and pick up an electric or push mower, both of
which use far less energy and make less noise.
You might even plow through some calories
in the process.
Save water. Water your yard early in the
morning to limit evaporation, and aerate your
lawn once a year to increase water penetration.
For the truly committed: Collect rainwater from
your roof, or install a gray-water treatment
system that recycles water from indoor baths,
sinks, and dishwashers. If you’re planting or
refurbishing your lawn, choose drought-tolerant grass varieties.
Ditch the chemicals. Trade synthetic
fertilizers for organic ones made from bone
meal, mulch, manure, and compost. These
carbon-based growth enhancers pose no
danger to ecosystems, children, or pets.
