Mowed Over

Date: December 17, 2007 | Category: Garden, Lifestyle, The Home

Lawns cover nearly 40 million acres in the United States, making them our single most irrigated crop (in terms of surface area). Fossil-fuel-derived lawn fertilizers make up a 5 billion dollar industry. These chemicals pose serious health risks, with those most susceptible being small children and pets that use it the most! Run-off contaminates water and soil, negatively affecting microorganisms and aquatic life. One scary fact: a component of Agent Orange is found in 1,500 products marketed for lawn care. Plus, the green stuff is generally cropped using gas-powered mowers, and the remnants toted off to a landfill, where they decompose and release methane into the atmosphere. So it’s not hard to see why the green turf has garnered itself somewhat of a ghastly reputation among environmentalists. But, alas, many people are attached to their lawns (I admit I still have one). So, it is important is to learn how we can care for them in a way that alleviates their overt ecological disruption. Most importantly, you must kick the chemical habit. Proper watering, a little compost and the correct grass for your
conditions and you can have something safe for the little ones to roll around on. Though you won’t have that super tight look, think about looking for a no-mow variety of grass including buffalo and
creeping red fescue, or a strain that is local to your region. When you do mow, A NASA study found that by leaving the clippings in place, you can significantly reduce the need for fertilizers. And natural alternatives abound (check out our recent post on Terracycle). To learn more, visit SafeLawns.org and join their campaign to revolutionize lawn care. Or visit your local nursery and look for the SafeLawns display.

Email , Print, Leave a Comment