Lee Bell asked: As we all turn our sights toward a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, many North Texas homeowners are left trying to figure out the most economical and ecological way to maintain the landscaping around their home. While they obviously want the best looking property possible, it’s often a tough balance from an environmental perspective, but thanks to recent improvements and technologies, the process of maintaining an environmentally sound yard is easier than you think.
From simple composting to healthy soil nutrients to the proper methods for cutting the grass, living a greener lifestyle is something we can all do to try and minimize our impact on the planet. And with the added saving in utility costs, it provides homeowners with a much needed relief in general household expenses.
Cutting the Grass Shorter is Not the Answer
Many people are under the misconception that cutting your grass shorter is your best alternative because it reduces the number of times you need to cut the grass. In reality, it’s very unattractive and it places stress on the grass
, allowing weed seedlings the golden opportunity to establish. The shorter the grass, the easier it is for unwanted crops to try and take over. The simple solution – lower the wheels on your mower, cutting only the top one-third of the grass blade. It’s important to make sure that your lawnmower blades are sharp, dull blades tear the grass and leave it susceptible to various organisms that can cause potential problems. Sharp blades cut in a manner that allows the grass to easily repair itself and heal quickly. Also, it’s a great idea to use a munching blade, which returns valuable nutrients from the clippings back into the lawn. As a rule of thumb, weeds need light to germinate, so by keeping your grass at least three inches in height, it significantly reduces the ability for weeds to reproduce.
Let Nature Help Balance Your Yard and Remove those Annoying Pests
Without resorting to harmful chemicals, there are many natural products that can help maintain a healthy landscape. Believe it or not, Ladybeetles are among the most popular forms of controlling harmful insect populations in your garden. Because of their predatory nature toward aphids and other insects, they provide an easy and environmentally friendly alternative to chemically controlled landscapes. Other useful insects include bees, soldier beetles and parasitic wasps. You may also want to consider placing bird and bat houses in your garden to attract insect feeding predators. All told there are many alternative solutions for everyday lawn and garden care problems, especially for those of us in the North Texas area.
A Healthy Yard Begins with Healthy Soil
Healthy soil is the number one factor in establishing a healthy yard. The bacteria, fungi and other microscopic life forms are important because they break down all of the organic mater, thereby releasing carbon and nitrogen back into the soil for the plants and grass to feed off of. The more organic matter your soil has, the better the opportunity for grass, plants and garden to thrive. Another important aspect is watering, with too much or too little, causing problems, ranging from disease to death of your outdoor environment. Always remember, deep watering encourages deep root growth, so water deep, but with much less frequency than you’re accustomed to. During the hot summer months, it’s actually better to water more frequently, but reduce the duration of the watering, helping to conserve our natural supply.
Caffeinated Content