Reduce the carbon footprint of your yard and garden

A lawn can be both kinds of green -- eco-friendly and lush.

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Networx.com

Fri, Oct 08 2010 at 1:03 PM

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DIY, Carbon Footprint

Lawns get a bad rap among environmentalists, who are reluctant to use gas-powered mowers and trimmers on water-intensive grass. But if you're not ready to give up the grass, here are some ways to reduce the use of gasoline and other fossil fuels in maintaining your lawn.

Power down the mower and leaf blower

Gas mowers are noisy smog machines. U.S. households use more than 600 million gallons of gas to cut grass, according to Yale research. The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates the average gas mower creates as much pollution as eight cars driving 55 miles per hour. Here are some tips for cutting pollution and saving gas:

• Reduce gas usage and pollution by replacing air filters and performing regular maintenance; keeping blades sharp to reduce mowing time; and avoiding spillage while filling the tank.

• Consider replacing a gas mower with an electric model. They use less energy and are non-polluting. The electricity is likely generated in coal-fired power plants, but the carbon usage and pollution is still much lower. They may cost more, but they save much more money in the long run because of lower fuel costs.

• The cleanest option, particularly for small lawns, is a hand-powered reel mower. The only fuel inputs are the food and water you consume, and the simple design is easier to maintain than a gas engine. New reel mowers are lighter and more efficient than clunky old models. They leave clippings on the lawn, where they serve as fertilizer and don't take up landfill space. The American Lawn Mower Company sells a variety of push mowers. One warning: Push mowers don't work well on tall grass, but the vertical scissor-like cutting action leaves lawns healthier once the grass is under control.

• Gas-powered weed trimmers and leaf blowers are even heavier polluters than mowers. Again, electric alternatives are available, as well as old-fashioned brooms and other hand tools.

Other ways to cut carbon

Zoysia Farm Nurseries and other companies sell slow-growth grasses that naturally need less water and mowing. Zoysia claims its grasses also choke out weeds and resist some insects, reducing the need for the standard petroleum-based chemical pesticides and weed killers.
The top-selling weed killers are Roundup and its generic replicas, which contain fossil fuels. There are alternatives with no fossil fuels. Cockadoodle DOO sells organic weed control made with corn gluten meal. It is designed to pre-empt weed growth, so it must be spread before weeds start to grow in the spring, then at least once again in the late summer or early fall.
Likewise, most fertilizer is primarily ammonia derived from natural gas. Some organic alternatives with no fossil fuels are specifically designed for lawns. Bradfield Organics' Luscious Lawn and Garden is an alfalfa-based fertilizer. The AgGrand 4-3-3 Liquid Fertilizer contains kelp and fish, and supplies nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the lawn.

The best way to reduce a lawn's fossil-fuel usage is to replace gas mowers. There are also other steps, including alternative fertilizers and weed killers.

This article was reprinted with permission. It originally appeared here on Networx.com.

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Comments: 2

Karen Oct 12 2010 at 10:20 AM

The Union of Concerned Scientists has a free guide on this topic, "The Climate-Friendly Gardener," available for download on their website. You can also sign their pledge to make your garden greener. Visit www.ucsusa.org/gardenguide.