Landscaping Tips & Facts

Lawns Offer Good News For The Environment

HERNDON, Va., January 24, 2007 — April is National Lawn Care Month, when millions of homeowners around the country will begin caring for their lawns. Maintaining lawns is not just about property investment or neighborhood curb appeal. The natural green carpet surrounding homes and businesses also benefits the environment.

The U.S. Congress notes the benefits of grass and other vegetation in its 1990 Farm Bill: “... low growing dense perennial turfgrass sod in urban areas and communities, can aid in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, mitigating the heat island effect, and reducing energy consumption, thus contributing to efforts to reduce global-warming trends.”

To reap its many benefits, a lawn must be well maintained. The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) recommends following these basic tips to enhance a lawn’s environmental benefits:

• Soil Sampling. Consider having your soil sampled and analyzed. Make sure your soil has the correct pH level and key nutrients for healthy growth.
• Grass Selection. Only use new and improved variety mixtures or blends that grow well in your climate, meet your quality expectations, and can accommodate your lawn activities, such as heavy use by children at play.
• Mowing. Mow at the highest recommended height and mow often, never removing more than one-third of the leaf surface. Keep lawn-mower blades sharp, and grasscycle. Grasscycling, or leaving clippings on the lawn when you mow, allows nutrients to return to the soil.
• Watering. Water deeply but not too often. In general, watering should moisten the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Too much water can cause water quality and grass problems, increasing the chance of fungus, or runoff and leaching of nutrients. And, it’s a waste of our precious water resources.
• Fertilization and Pest Control. Apply the right amount and kind of fertilizer and pest control products at the right time, and only when needed. Follow all label instructions and precautions.

To help with maintenance needs, consider hiring a professional lawn care service. Many homeowners do — more than 104 million households hired a green industry professional and spent more than $11 billion, according to a 2004 Harris Survey. Make sure the service is a member of a professional association like PLANET, and check the company’s service record through the local Better Business Bureau.

PLANET is the association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. With more than 4,200 member companies and affiliates, these firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals