Post not written by me, all views and expressions are from a third party, no compensation was given to present this:
Taking
care of the environment can begin at your front door. Help your plants
do what they do best – create oxygen, store carbon in their roots, cool
your house, collect dust and particulate matter and provide places for
play and relaxation. Look around your yard and find ways to be more Eco-conscious while creating your own natural oasis.
1. Increase the number of trees and vegetative cover around your home. On a hot summer
day, the sun can heat dry exposed urban surfaces, such as roofs and
pavement, to temperatures 50–90°F (27–50°C) hotter than the air, while shaded or moist surfaces—often in more rural surroundings—remain close to air temperatures. More
2. Plant for your climate zone and at the appropriate time.
Many people buy plants simply based on looks. But you need to be aware
of your climate zone and what grows well in your area. Fall is usually
the best time to let trees, shrubs and grasses planted and well
established. Reference the USDA Map when selecting plants and contact your local extension office for ideas on plants suited for your area.
3. Water early or late in the day. And, don’t overwater!
Let water sink in before the peak heat of the day. Too much water can
loosen root systems. So, be sure to use an appropriate amount. And, try
to use water from a rain barrel or include new smart water technologies to ensure watering is effective and efficient. More
4. Compost & leave grass clippings on lawns. Composting
is a good way to create your own nutrient-rich soil for creating mulch
that enriches your own garden soil or top-dressing the lawn. Leaving the grass clippings fall on your lawn while mowing is another easy way to add nitrogen-rich nutrients to soil. How
5. Cut and prune plants and trees to keep them in a growing state. Pruning
trees, shrubs, ornamentals and cutting the lawn are important for plant
health. They will give off more oxygen and sequester more carbon.
Pruning and cutting spurs healthy growth and the natural process of
carbon in-oxygen out. More
6. Let your grass go dormant. Grasses
can go dormant for a period of time, especially during dry summer
months. Turning brown, but greening back up when moisture levels return,
is normal. More
7. Encourage beneficial birds and insects to your yard and gardens with plants that attract them. Lure in pest-eating birds and beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, bees, praying mantis, butterflies, by planting certain flowers and shrubs. Learn
8. Encourage a backyard habitat. By providing food, shelter, water and cover, you will attract beneficial birds and other wildlife. You may even get your yard certified as a Wildlife Habitat. How
9. Make sure you have some groundcover to stem the flow of run off and capture dust and other particulate matter. Runoff
can wash unwanted sediment and fertilizers into our waterways. Be sure
to plant some ivy, grass, or other creeping, clumping and spreading
plants. More
10. Get outside and enjoy your own landscape! Send
the kids outside, eat al fresco, play games for exercise, and use your
backyard as a learning tool for kids (from assigning outdoor chores to
learning science and environmental lessons). More
By the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute ©2012
About TurfMutt
The free TurfMutt program is a dynamic digital curriculum led
by Lucky, a real-life rescue dog who encourages kids (K-5) to protect
the land around them and fosters an appreciation of natural surroundings
in their own community. In addition to lesson plans, engaging
activities, puzzles and videos, students can enjoy an interactive map
about ecosystems across the country. With these resources, teachers can
emphasize the benefits of landscaping and green spaces in balance with
local environments, and instill a new appreciation for environmental
issues through scientific investigation.
Lesson plans can be found at: http://turfmutt.discoveryeducation.com/educators.cfm
For families and homeowners, TurfMutt hosts a blog at www.TurfMutt.com, discussing ways to take care of plants and the lawn and landscape in a way that works with Nature, not against it.
Pin It
