Most people enjoy a green lawn and a healthy garden. There is a movement afoot to reduce the amount of pesticides that we use on our lawns and gardens. However, there any many other actions you can take that are better for the environment and healthier for your lawn, gardens and your family.

• Avoid using chemical pesticides or fertilizers on your lawn and garden. Try using organic products.
• Compost your organic household waste (fruits, vegetables, tea bags, coffee grinds, yard waste) and use it in your garden.
• Install a rain barrel to capture rainwater for your garden use.
• Leave grass clippings on your lawn where they will quickly breakdown and add nutrients to your lawn.
• Water your garden/lawn early in the morning after the dew has dried to reduce the loss of water due to evaporation.
• Limit the use of gas-powered lawn mowers as they produce greenhouse gases (GHG), which contribute to climate change. Using a typical gas-powered mower produces 48 kg of GHGs in a season, as much air pollution as a car driven for 550 km.
• Plant trees to offer shade to your home in the summer and shelter it against the winter cold winds.

For tips on how to keep you garden green, but also reduce the use of pesticides, check out Environment Canada’s Web site The Green Solutions for tips on:

• Lawn Care
• Lawn Disorders
• Roses and Other Flowers
• Healthy Trees and Shrubs
• Insect and Animal Pests