Care for lawns with sustainable practices in mind. (Designed by In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes)
Can a sustainable landscape include a lawn? Lawns have major environmental impacts. Lawn care products, such as fertilizers, weed killers and gas-powered lawn mowers, can contribute to water, air and noise pollution. And over-watered lawns waste a precious resource.
In addition, keeping a lawn healthy is an increasing challenge. Chafer beetles are invading local lawns, and hotter and drier summers cause more drought conditions.
But here’s some good news: having a lawn and gardening sustainably aren’t mutually exclusive. Your yard can include a lawn to provide a soft, green space for kids and pets or for relaxing outdoors. You just need to make some changes to your routine to make your lawn more eco-friendly.
Size it right
What do you really need your lawn for? Maybe a play area for kids? A cozy green spot to sit and read a book? You can keep your lawn just where it plays a useful role. Consider alternatives for the rest of your landscape: plant more trees and shrubs, add a patio for outdoor living, or install a vegetable garden or rain garden. You could also use also use groundcovers or mulches. Read more about lawn alternatives.
Plant smart
Lawns grow best in full sun with well-draining soil. Choose other plants for shady, damp and sloped places.
Mow higher
Set your mower to leave grass blades about 3 inches tall. Taller grass helps shade the soil, which keeps moisture in and reduces watering needs. Read how to mow for a bee-friendly lawn.
Mulch your clippings
Switch to a mulching mower and let the clippings break down naturally. They’ll return nutrients to the soil and help feed your lawn. For smaller lawns, a rechargeable or electric mulching mower is a great, eco-friendly option.
Water wisely
Give your lawn a deep soak once or twice weekly instead of a little bit every day. This encourages deep roots, making your lawn more resilient and drought-tolerant. Your lawn needs about 1/2 to 1 inch of water per week. And don’t let your lawn go dormant in summer. The lawn becomes thin and unhealthy, making it ripe for weeds, moss and insect pests to invade when the rains return in the fall. Read more about how to water your lawn.
Skip the weed and feed
Why apply weed killers everywhere when you may only have a few weeds? Pull or spot treat weeds instead. And allow some flowering plants to grow in your lawn. Clover, for example, provides nitrogen, feeds our native bees and stays green all summer. Clover used to be a standard component of all lawn seed mixes. Read more about weed and feed and about flowering plants in lawns.
Fertilize organically
Use compost to top dress lawns in April or May. Use slow-release organic in spring and fall. Always follow the recommended application rates. Watch a video on how to fertilize your lawn.
Aerate and overseed
Each spring or fall, aerate your lawn to alleviate compaction and open up the soil profile to air and water. Overseed with a Northwest or sun/shade blend of seed. Look for perennial rye and fine fescue grasses in the blend. Read more about lawn aeration.
Our natural lawn care services use environmentally friendly methods to help keep your lawn healthy. Contact us to find out more.
With these simple steps, you can enjoy a beautiful, healthy lawn that’s gentle on the planet!
