Lawns are far more than just about appearance. Maintaining a thick and healthy lawn also has a great impact on the environment. Unlike the hard surfaces like wood, asphalt and concrete, healthy grass in a lawn, assists in cleaning the air, trapping carbon dioxide, reducing erosion caused from storm-water runoff, improves the condition of the soil, reduces temperatures and decreases noise pollution. Maintaining a thick and healthy lawn also has a great impact on the environment.
When you follow eco-friendly lawn practices, these are the benefits that you can expect from your grass along with the benefits on the surrounding environment.
1. Lawns Clean The Air And Trap CO2
Similar to all types of living plants, a lawn releases oxygen and traps carbon dioxide. Oxygen is vital for human-life yet trapping carbon-dioxide is also important as high levels of CO2 can result in air temperatures that are elevated along with other types of environmental issues. Grass will not only remove CO2 out of the atmosphere but also traps airborne dust from the surrounding air which can get into your lungs. Less dust means an easier way to breathe, cleaner windows, cleaner houses and cars.
2. Lawns Improve The Structure Of The Soil
Soil that is compacted will not allow the water to sink in, which means the groundwater resources are not getting replenished each time it rains, which can become problematic for the areas which are reliant on precipitation to provide drinking water. A well-maintained lawn maintains a soil structure that is open and loose, with enough pores for the water to sink down into it and reach the groundwater.
3. Lawns Trap Storm Water Runoff
If you have any areas in your yard that is not covered by a lush lawn, you have probably noticed that during hard rains, the mulch, gravel and soil washes away which results in divots, holes and ruts. These materials and this water start to clog storm drains, which can lead to flooded homes and streets, which eventually flows into lakes and creeks which become polluted and cloudy. Healthy lawns on the other hand, slow runoffs, which allows enough time for storm water to sink back down into a groundwater system.
4. A Lush Lawn Decreases Noise Pollution
When walking through a busy suburban area or crowded city you will usually notice that it is much louder compared to a quiet neighborhood where there are lots of trees and lawns. This is because there are a lot more hard surfaces for the sounds to bounce-off from. One of the main grass benefits is that your lawn acts as a type of insulation panel or blanket, that absorbs sounds from trucks, cars, people and even animals.
5. Lawns Keep Your Home Cooler And Help You To Save Money
The urban areas that feature a lot of concrete and buildings are usually much warmer compared to neighborhoods with trees and grass. In addition, it takes a lot of energy to cool the buildings surrounded by hard surfaces such as concrete compared to the structures surrounded by grass. A lush and healthy lawn will help to keep your outdoor areas and your home cooler and lower your AC bills in the warmer summer months.
Here are few tips for landscape practices and maintenance that promote environmental and human health:
- Reseed Smarter
There are a lot of areas across the country, that require reseeding their grass in the month of spring to fill the bare areas which are left behind from overuse or disease. It is advisable to choose the grass seeds that match up to the location that you live in and are regarded as better for the surrounding environment. For example, a drought tolerant grass for an arid environment. Also ensure you rake the old debris from the lawn so that you expose the soil. After planting the new seed, water the area thoroughly, followed by lightly covering with light mulch or hay to stop the birds from consuming all the seeds.
- Decrease The Lawn Amount
It is advisable to decrease a large lawn in the way of planting native trees, herbaceous plants and shrubs.
- Use Organic Fertilizers
Today you can find various natural and organic fertilizers, suitable for home lawns. The organic version of a fertilizer is much safer for your pets, children and for the groundwater. By using this type of fertilizer, you not only promote soil that is healthier, but also the health of the landscaping plants and the grass.
- Use Battery-Powered Or Electric Tools
Find out from your local landscaping supplier about switching to a battery or electric-powered alternative. While the electric tools are still reliant on the fossil-fuels, they still do away with ground-source noise and air pollution.
- Invest In Rain Barrels
Catching the runoff from heavy rainfall will assist in keeping your yard irrigated without the need to raise your water bills. If you are unable to water the grass with rain barrels, think about other alternatives such as whole-yard sprinkler systems such as drip or soaker hose irrigation. Making sure the water is able to reach the grass roots allows a way to use a lot less water compared to many of the traditional sprinkler-systems.
- Leave Your Grass Clippings Where They Have Fallen
Rather than spending a lot of your time bagging the grass clippings where they will later be taken away by a garbage pickup, leave them where they have fallen. These clippings eventually break-down and provide natural nutrients for the grass. Maintaining a green, soft and lush lawn that we enjoy walking over, makes the month of spring so much nicer. However, the way that we achieve the ideal lawn with https://discoverziehler.com will make a significant impact in association to the health of the surrounding environment.
In conclusion, changing the way we maintain our lawns and landscape practices on their own, might not be the solution to solving global warming, yet it can encourage an improved path to a more climate-friendly environment. The more people start to follow more organic practices the more the surrounding environment will benefit.
Featured Image Source: Pixabay
