Conservation Committee member Mary Van Leeuwen provides guidance about creating a nice lawn without environmental guilt.
There is a daunting amount of information on the internet about lawns, lawn treatments, lawn chemicals and their risks. There is also a lot of information about alternatives to the classic grassy yard. Here’s a first take on a simple approach to a “green” yard.
“GREEN” Lawn: I visited Sixteen Acres Garden Center in Springfield, MA, and found that they have a number of organic, environmentally friendly (as far as I can tell) lawn care products, and a recommended 3 or 4 step program. Corn gluten is the main ingredient in the weed prevention step – apply before weeds sprout. The gluten also feeds the grass. Good old manure is the fertilizer (spreadable with a spreader, no shovel needed); apply twice with about 6 – 8 weeks between applications. Another round of the weed preventer is good at the end of the season, to stop late sprouting weeds. And of course, you’ll need lime, whatever program you use. There is no weed killer involved in this program. You’ll have to dig the dandelions which have already sprouted, etc. There is a safe weed spray, but it kills the grass too – maybe good for a small section that needs reseeding anyway. Going “green” with your lawn will cost more (by a factor of two or three and takes longer to arrive at a lovely lawn. Give yourself peace of mind, knowing that children are safe, the pets are safe, and, not inconsequentially, the runoff is safe.
ALTERNATIVES to a GREEN LAWN:
Set an area aside to go wild – you may need to mow it once every year or two, to keep trees out if you don’t want trees – but you’ll support bio-diversity that way, and get more butterflies, birds – maybe even some fireflies.
Leave it alone. The less you water (save water, time, money) the less you have to mow (save gas, air pollution, time, money). Dry spells will yellow or brown the lawn, but rain will re-green it. With this technique, which I’ve used for 15 years, you will never worry when the kids produce divots while playing croquet. My yard is still basically green and suitable for going barefoot. If your grass can’t take the heat/sun, consider trying another variety of grass seed.
Try alternative plantings. Different kinds of plants which are suitable to our climate. (We are warmer and dryer than Scotland, after all.) They can be beautiful and easy to care for (see garden store or internet).
Mary Van Leeuwen