When it comes to improving your home’s exterior, there are so many different types of advice out there, like getting new plants or painting your shed white, getting a pond, and the list could go on and on. But then there’s the lawn or even just your garden in general. Now, one piece of advice that’s so generic and that everyone knows is “cut your grass,” “keep your lawn trimmed,” and “make the grass stay short and lush green,” after all, every year, there are ads when it comes to cutting the grass.
But when it comes to tending your lawn, let alone your home (indoors and outdoors), it’s really important to focus on being eco-friendly. Actually, this can’t be stressed enough, really! But it’s more than just using eco-friendly pesticides; it’s your lawn that needs to have heavy focus. So, here’s exactly what you need to know.
Why Go Eco-Friendly?
Before we dive into the how, let’s talk about the why. Now, you have to understand that traditional lawn care often involves a lot of chemicals and water, which isn’t great for the environment. So, just by opting for eco-friendly practices, you’ll reduce pollution, save water, and create a healthier space for local wildlife.
Plus, it’s usually easier on your wallet in the long run. Win-win! But is that all? Well, these short lawns, sure, are aesthetically pleasing; they chase out wildlife, especially insects. Now, it’s entirely understandable why you’d want short grass; if you have tall grass, the chances of fleas and ticks within the grass itself are increased. But short grass destroys habitats, and long grass causes more pest issues; what do you even do? Well, why not in between?
Actually, a weed wacker is significantly more eco-friendly than a lawn mower because you have better control of the grass length. This alone gives you a chance to keep it more at a medium length. Plus, this length isn’t too long, so your lawn can still look well-kept.
So, let’s go ahead and dive into what else you can do to keep your lawn eco-friendly (but not invasive).
Choose the Right Grass
One of the first steps in eco-friendly lawn care is selecting the right type of grass. You’re better off keeping native species, and most likely, your lawn already has a native species. So, here in the UK, some native species that work well are:
- Festuca rubra (Red Fescue): Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
- Lolium perenne (Perennial Ryegrass): Tough and great for high-traffic areas.
- Agrostis capillaris (Common Bent): Ideal for finer, more ornamental lawns.
These grasses are adapted to the UK climate, which means they require less water and are more resistant to local pests and diseases.
Watering Wisely
Alright, so when you’re looking into creating an eco-friendly garden, one common piece of advice is about watering. Now, lawns themselves require a lot of grass, way more than an actual garden does. Grass just needs a lot of water, and they’re fairly fickle. Too much, and you’re wasting water. Too little, and your grass suffers. So, its not just that, but the timing matters too.
Water early in the morning
This reduces evaporation and helps the water reach the roots.
Use a rain gauge
It’s best to aim for about an inch of water per week, including rainfall.
Consider a rain barrel
Collect rainwater to use on your lawn, which is both eco-friendly and cost-effective.
What’s the Best Way to Mow?
So, above, a weed eater was suggested, but what if you can’t afford a brand-new one? Actually, older diesel-fueled ones shouldn’t be used, so they need to be electronic. But if you can’t afford one or if you own an electric mower, then keep your electric mower for the time being. Because, to a degree, you can still be eco-friendly with that.
Set your mower to a higher setting.
You have to keep in mind that taller grass shades the soil, reducing evaporation and discouraging weeds. But, at the same time, too high means that too many pests will begin to live there. So that’s something to think of, too.
Leave the clippings
So this is known as “grasscycling,” which adds nutrients back into the soil.
It’s Best to Embrace Diversity
Now, do lawns have to be boring patches of grass with hedges? Absolutely not! Actually, don’t do that! You’re way better off having some diversity; your home and your lawn don’t have to look like everyone else’s
Wildflower Patches
Why not add a wildflower patch to your lawn? It’s great for biodiversity and adds a splash of colour. Wildflowers support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, contributing to the overall health of your garden.
Clover and Other Ground Covers
How about considering incorporating clover or other ground covers into your lawn? Clover is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and fixes nitrogen in the soil, which benefits the grass.
Think About the Wildlife
Technically, the whole point of this blog post was to think about the wildlife, but what else can you do other than adding some flowers and keeping your grass at a medium length?
Bird Baths and Feeders
They’re super cute. There are so many options out there, and you just can’t go wrong with this option. So, with that all said, adding bird baths and feeders can attract birds to your garden, which helps control pests naturally. Plus, it’s a delight to watch them!
Insect Hotels
You might even want to look into building or buying insect hotels to provide habitats for beneficial insects. These can be placed in flower beds or around the edges of your lawn.
A Greener Lawn, A Greener Planet
There you have it! With a bit of effort and some eco-friendly practices, you can maintain a lush, beautiful lawn that’s kind to the environment. From choosing the right grass to embracing wildlife, every step you take makes a difference. Seriously, it doesn’t need to be hard at all! So, get out there and give your lawn the green treatment it deserves. Your garden – and the planet – will thank you!