Eco-Friendly Lawn Care Tips for Toledo, OH

Making wise choices about lawn and garden care creates a healthy environment for people and animals. People have a preconceived notion that conventional, chemical treatments are the cheapest route to go, but it is quite the opposite.

Ecological maintenance is almost always easier and can be perceived as more expensive. Many of the items you need for eco-friendly lawn care can be readily found in any home or kitchen, and are quite affordable. Here are some eco-friendly lawn care tips and tricks for Toledo homeowners.

Always Leave Your Grass Clippings

You might think that bagging your grass cuttings or raking them after you mow leaves a clean looking lawn, however, grass clippings are one of the best fertilizers for your yard. Leaving the clippings where they may will provide extra nitrogen to the soil as they quickly decompose back into the ground.

As much as you might be tempted to use a chemical fertilizer, they do act as an atmospheric pollutant. These fertilizers end up in the groundwater, which could damage lakes and streams. Leaving your grass clippings does no damage while adding vital nitrogen to the soil and acting as a moisture barrier.

Grow Grass Suitable for Toledo

Growing grass that thrives in Toledo’s climate is critical. Here are the best grass types for sustainable growth on lawns in Toledo.

Kentucky Bluegrass

Kentucky bluegrass is the primary grass you’ll find in Ohio. It has a fine-textured, high-quality look that homeowners love. This grass type recovers from injury well and is winter-hardy. Kentucky bluegrass withstands high temperatures and extreme moisture. It will go dormant and lose color throughout the hot, dry periods.

Perennial Ryegrass

People often pick perennial ryegrass because it has rapid seed germination and seedling establishment. It handles cold weather and disease well for Ohio. This grass type requires well-draining soil of medium to high fertility.

Tall Fescue

Tall fescue is a low maintenance grass that tolerates soil with low fertility. It tolerates insects and diseases well, plus the seeds germinate and establish quickly. Tall fescue has excellent wear tolerance and tolerates drought well.

Fine Fescue

There are a few fine fescue options, such as red, hard, and chewings fescues. These grass types grow well in the shade with low soil moisture and low fertility. Fine fescues require well-draining, slightly dry soils. Fertilizing or watering too often will cause this grass to die off.

Water Deeply, But Not as Often

Lawns require a lot of water, and it’s essential to understand proper water management to ensure most of your water is used correctly and not wasted. If you use a sprinkler system, schedule it to come on after midnight. At night, the air is cooler allowing less water to evaporate throughout sunlight exposure.

If you want to ensure the roots of your yard receive enough water, leave the sprinkler running for an extra five to ten minutes. Water three times a week, not every day. Pay attention to the forecast, and make sure to turn off your sprinkler if it’s going to rain.

You can also reuse water by installing a rainwater harvesting irrigation system. Investing in a rainwater barrel helps to catch the runoff during heavy rains. That way you can keep your lawn irrigated without having to increase your water bill.

Use Energy Efficient Lawn Care Equipment

A gas-powered lawn mower may get the job done quickly, but it is a gas-guzzler that is bad for the environment. Instead, find corded and cordless lawn care equipment that gets the job done without putting stress on the environment. Battery operated lawn tools are portable, keep in mind their performance is lacking because it lacks consistent power. That’s why corded lawn care equipment tends to be the better option.

Did you know that gas-powered lawn mowers produce around ten percent of all air pollutants? That means the most substantial difference you can make is to switch to an electric lawn mower. Just because you have a large yard doesn’t mean that you can’t change. You can get an electric riding mower that mows for ninety minutes on a single charge, and you never have to worry about fluids, filters, or fumes.

Taking care of your lawn in an eco-friendly manner doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, many homeowners find it easier and smarter. It all starts with proper planning. Ensure you plant the right grass seed and plan your watering times. Try to harvest rainwater to recycle water and save on utilities. Don’t forget to leave the grass clippings behind!

Need help preparing your lawn? Visit our Toledo lawn care page to get in touch with a professional! In addition to Toledo, we provide lawn care services to other Ohio cities, including Dayton and Cleveland.

Featured image source: Zillow Toledo