Organic Lawncare
As more and more attention is given to
the environment and the steps we can take to protect it, homeowners strong in numbers continue to do their fair
share. The recycling of glass, paper, aluminium, and plastic continues to be on the rise in homes across the
country; and now, families are even turning to ways to make their homes “green” – using solar power, natural
fibres, energy saving light bulbs, and water reducing taps. There has even been attention given to the upkeep of
the suburban lawn, as homeowners make an effort to practice only organic lawn care.
Organic lawn care is any practice that nurtures a lawn within the guidelines of
that which is good for the environment. In essence, this means the elimination of chemical weed killers and
pesticides. Practicing organic lawn care simply means the avoidance of any chemical product that can in any way
harm the environment – including animal life.
Instead, those interested in organic lawn care can use
organic fertilizer – found in most home and garden stores – mixed with compost for an environmentally friendly
lawn; use mulch in landscaped areas; and use only herbal pest repellants when necessary.
When mowing your lawn, organic lawn care stipulates the leaving of grass
clippings directly on the lawn where they can break into compost and regenerate the soil. You may even want to
think about limiting the size of your lawn, thus conserving a tremendous amount of water.
When choosing plants for landscaping, choose those plants indigenous to your
area, thus reducing the amount of water and fertilizer they will need.
A visit to your local home and garden store will yield an enormous amount of
information about organic lawn care, including what products are acceptable to use and what alternatives there are
to rid your lawn of weeds, rodents, and other undesirables that won’t compromise the environment.
Or, you can find quite a bit of reading material at your local library or
bookstore that offers tips on maintaining a green home including the implementation of organic lawn care. The
Internet can also be a comprehensive resource on organic lawn care and the steps you can take to keep your property
within environmental guidelines.
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