Believe it or not, the average gasoline mower tested by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emits, in one hour of operation, the same amount of hydrocarbons that an average vehicle emits over 23,600 miles!
When you’re getting ready to mow your lawn this spring, consider these tips for low-impact mowing:
- Leave it Long. Mow only as often as you need to keep your lawn in good shape. For most lawns, that means cutting your grass no lower than 2.5 inches; keeping many grasses as long as 3.5 inches is ideal for crowding out crab grass and other weeds. You’ll find your grass will grow more slowly and evenly when you cut it a bit longer.
- Let Them Lie. Leave grass clippings on the lawn after you mow to provide your lawn with a natural (and free) source of nutrients and mulch, or compost the clippings for use in your garden.
- Ditch the Engine. Give an old fashioned reel mower a try. Today’s reel mowers are easy to use and do a great job, without any gasoline or electricity.
- Go Natural. Skip all those chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Natural compost accomplishes both and is available free from the landfill. If you’re in the market for a lawn care company, seek one out that practices natural lawn management instead of heavy chemical treatments.
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This week’s tips made possible by our friends at Howe Heating and Plumbing.
Filed under: Backyard and Gardening, One Tip to Know
