You’ve found yourself a new home—congratulations! There are many new tasks and maintenance routines for you to learn, but some of the most daunting include lawn care. If you’ve never been in charge of a lawn before, or your grass seems to always die on you, there may be a good reason. You could be overfertilizing or even mowing too much; there is such a concept as too much lawn maintenance. Prioritizing eco-friendliness is a great way to make sure your lawn looks as healthy as possible. Some of the sustainable methods for excellent lawn growth may even surprise you.
Choose Efficient Tools
Gas-powered lawn tools aren’t great for the environment. You can find plenty of battery-operated mowers for sale for a cleaner operation. Reel mowers without any type of power are the cleanest of all; this may not be practical for larger yards, but smaller yards can get away with it if eco-friendliness is the priority. Edge trimmers and other power tools can all be battery-operated as well. Make sure your tools are cared for; they’ll last longer, contributing to less resource waste than multiple replacements.
Test Your Soil
Many people overfertilize their yards when they don’t know what soil they’re already working with. Some soils don’t need extra fertilizer, as they’re already nutrient-rich. When you over-fertilize, even with natural fertilizer, you can risk harming the local ecosystem through nutrient imbalances. You’ll also likely ruin your lawn. Test your soil for its existing nutrients before you fertilize. Make sure you don’t over-fertilize to ensure your lawn, plants, and surrounding flora are healthy. You can test your soil yourself or at your local Department of Agriculture.
Use Natural Fertilizer and Pest Control
Synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides can be incredibly damaging to the environment. These poisons can run off into the water system and harm the ecosystem. They can also harm animals and plants unintentionally. Opt for more natural solutions to pests or fertilizing. Organic or natural lawn care products can help you reduce weeds, pests, and unhealthy soil. You can even grow your own fertilizer by starting a compost pile and lowering the trash you send to the landfill as a bonus. Grass clippings make the perfect natural fertilizer with little effort; make sure your lawnmower has a mulching option for maximum convenience.
Prioritize Conservation When Watering
In many cases, you don’t need to water your lawn yourself. The rain typically does a good job of soaking the grass down to the root. In particularly dry periods, you may want to water infrequently if the soil feels dry or your grass shows signs of dehydration. Prioritize water conservation whenever you need to irrigate. Don’t water when there is forecasted rain for the day or week. Use harvested rainwater or recycled water as much as possible to reduce resource waste. Experts recommend watering in the early morning to mitigate evaporation. When you do water, make sure it’s enough to penetrate the roots; you want the resource to be effective!
Consider Lawn Alternatives
Many young homeowners are opting for alternatives to traditional lawns to save time and convenience when mowing. Natural ground cover, like clover, can make lawn care a breeze. They grow naturally in the climate and won’t get tall enough to require a mow. Artificial turf is also an option, especially if it is made of natural materials rather than plastic. Natural stones or gravel can also replace a lawn or add visual diversity to a garden without maintenance.
Don’t Mow Too Much
Mowing may seem like a great way to keep your grass refreshed, but too much can actually harm the lawn. Mowing too short or too frequently removes the chance for your grass to grow and heal properly from each cut. When you cut too short, you make the grass vulnerable to shallow roots or other issues. You want to aim for no less than three inches of grass length at any time. You don’t really need to mow more frequently than once a week, and newer homeowners find themselves going at least two weeks before a mow to allow a more natural, grown look to a yard. Just keep the city requirements in mind when letting your grass grow; many cities have height limits of around 12 inches, and they can issue a notice if your lawn grows too high. You may be subject to fines as well.
Conclusion
Grass can be picky sometimes. Remember, testing your soil is a great way to learn what the lawn may be lacking or have too much of. Take a break from mowing to make sure your lawn can grow as much as possible. Choose natural lawn health products over synthetic, even if it means making your own. You don’t even need to have a lawn at all; you can opt for ground cover, including stones and clover. With a few tweaks to your yard care routine, you can be proud of your new home and the lush land it sits on.