Nurturing a healthy, luscious lawn is a source of pride for many homeowners in Calgary. However, some traditional lawn care practices can be hard on the environment. These established practices are becoming a real cause for concern among parents who worry about how chemical fertilizers and other environmental pollutants impact their little ones.
Luckily, there are many family-friendly lawn care tips that property owners and Calgary lawn care companies can use to keep an amazing lawn while also benefitting the environment.
In this blog post, we list some of the best (and easiest) environmentally-conscious lawn care tips that Calgary’s property owners can start with right away.
Water Efficiently.
Let’s face it – Calgary is not known as a humid place. In fact, it’s safe to say that Calgary’s climate is typically pretty dry.
Add to this the very real concerns about future water shortages throughout Alberta, and it’s easy to see why water conservation is becoming a high priority not just for local governments, but also for homeowners and businesses alike.
The trick to efficient lawn watering is to water deeply, but not frequently. A deep, thorough watering that happens only once a week will allow water to penetrate the soil and reach down to the roots. This encourages deep root growth while reducing the need for excessive watering.
Giving your lawn a good, deep watering on a weekly basis is usually all you need, but if there’s been a lot of rain that week then take the weather into account and adjust your water schedule accordingly.
Another water saving option worth considering is to use a rain barrel for rainwater collection. You can use the rainwater you collect to irrigate your lawn and garden beds, which reduces your use of municipal water.
Don’t Mow Short.
Mowing your lawn too short can stress your grass, making it more prone to pests and diseases. A super short lawn also dries out your soil faster, which hurts the growth of healthy roots.
Adjust your mower’s blades to cut higher so that you leave your grass a bit taller. Not only will this help keep your lawn looking healthy and lush, but it will also protect the intricate root systems that make it all possible.
Mulch Your Grass Cuttings.
For lots of Calgary’s gardeners, it’s automatic to just put grass cuttings in the green bin and let the city take them to be composted – but there’s gold in them there clippings!
Instead of sending these grass clippings away, use your mower to mulch and chop them up and then leave them on your lawn. Grass clippings are a great, free source of nutrients, and mulching them helps to limit our usage of expensive lawn fertilizers.
Use Native Plants.
Another great way of reducing water consumption and promoting local biodiversity is to choose native plants for your lawn and garden.
Native plant species are totally attuned to Calgary’s local climate and soil, meaning they need less water and fertilizer than their non-native counterparts. Native plants also help local wildlife, such as birds and our beloved pollinators.
Integrated Pest Management.
Pesticides are often used to control destructive insects like aphids, wasps, or the red lily beetle. But pesticides don’t differentiate between bad and beneficial insects, which means they also harm helpful bugs like ladybugs, butterflies, and bees. Pesticides also contribute to environmental pollution, which makes them an increasingly unfavourable choice for many Calgarians.
Integrated Pest Management (“IPM”) is a holistic approach to managing garden pests that uses a combination of mechanical and biological methods to control garden pests.
A great example of IPM is using beneficial natural predators to reduce the population of destructive pests, like using ladybugs to manage (ie: eat) aphids.
Use Organic Fertilizers.
Chemical fertilizers can be great for your grass, but not so wonderful for the rest of the world. As an alternative, consider opting for organic fertilizers such as compost, manure, or mulched grass clippings. These alternatives offer great nutritional benefits to your lawn and our environment while also bolstering soil health.
Organic fertilizers also significantly reduce the on-going need for synthetic fertilizers, which require repeated applications, which will save you money in the long run.
Support Local Landscapers!
A bit of self promotion? Perhaps… But we are here for a good reason, and that reason is to help Calgarians with their lawn care and landscaping needs.
Not everybody is able (or inclined) to properly tend to their lawn and/or garden – but that doesn’t mean these properties shouldn’t be maintained. By supporting local landscapers and lawn care professionals who offer environmentally conscious techniques, you can help promote responsible, sustainable lawn care in your community.
When choosing a local landscaper (like Superyards, for example), look for a local lawn care company that offers organic fertilizer options, is aware of effective watering techniques, and/or uses appropriate and efficient tools for the job.
Want to make your yard a Superyard? Then give us a call and talk to us about how we can help you make your lawn and garden the envy of your neighbourhood! We offer seasonal lawn care service packages, as well as a variety of other options to help your yard be its very best.