The Greening of Yard-Care Technology: Eco Living Articles: Eco20/20

The Greening of Yard-Care Technology

Lawn care needs to give Mother Nature a little break. It needs, in truth, to take a few steps away from technology. This year, resist the urge to apply herbicides that will leach into the local water table. This year, try being water smart. Turn the leaf-blower into a tomato planter. This year, let the good bugs live; cut down on pesticides. Choose one or two ideas, to make a small difference, or try them all, if it suits you. Some of it is easier than you might think.

Chemical Renovation

When you think about maintaining your yard this year, think about eco-friendly options instead of hazardous materials and chemicals. There are organic and green alternatives that work just as well as, and sometimes better than, traditional garden chemicals.

* If you need fertilizer, use non-phosphorus, organic, slow-release varieties of fertilizers and switch to organic weed controllers. You know the ones that now dominate hardware stores. Also, regardless of what some fertilizer sellers may advertise, when it comes to lawns, you really only need to fertilize only once per year - in late fall. That's best for the development of healthy grass.

* If you feel you must fertilize more often, do not fertilize in the spring. Your lawn truly does not need, or even want, that heavy meal when it's just getting up; you'll only encourage it to grow up lazy and balding.

* When fall does arrive, be sure the fertilizer you buy is non-phosphorous. Check the three-digit formula. In a non-phosphorus bag the second number will be "0".

* Add a little clover to your seed mix, while you're at it. Clover fixes nitrogen to naturally fertilize your lawn.

Weed and Pest Control

Take on weed control early and often & consider complicating your pest control.

* The best weeding option, if you have the time and enthusiasm for it, is to use a garden fork to pull weeds manually. If you have a breed of weeds you know will be tough, get 'them while their young. Cover them with black plastic and use something decorative to hold it in place for a couple weeks. It will weaken them, and in very hot climates, that's often enough to kill a weed.

* A specialist in organic lawn care can point you toward organic solutions to almost any pest problem. For example: if you have trouble controlling grubs, add worm. Parasitic nematodes to be exact.

* You might also consider starting your own organic food garden, which will give you a great incentive to not use toxic fertilizers and pest-control agents.

Study Up

If you don't look after your lawn yourself, be sure you choose lawn care providers who offer organic services.

* In the United States, the Northeast Organic Farming Association NOFA offers a program of certification in organic practices for landscapers.

* Learn about the native plants in your area, and strive to use them in your yard, where you can. Plants that don't fit your climate will require more work, will be more likely to suffer nutritional trauma, and in hot climates will need more water than native flora.

Be Water-Wise

* Choose the best plants for your location, and then water deep, but not too often. Remember, too, late night watering helps prevent evaporation, and tall grass helps choke out weeds, so it's not a good idea to scalp your yard too deeply.

* Don't over-water, or water your sidewalks and driveway. Also consider collecting rain water and using it for your plants. Also keep your clippings for mulch, to help you save water as well.

* Collect rain water. Not only will it reduce fresh water wastage, it can help reduce the toxic runoff that happens when Storm water picks up pollutants, wastes, sediments, and heavy metals, and carries them into the environment.

In short, the best way to green lawn care technology - is to provide more care, and give technology a little tweak in its responsibilities.