Lawns and Gardens

1 hr of gas lawn mower use produces 11x the emissions of driving an average new car for an hour. Switching to an electric mower eliminates these emissions, pollutants, noise, fuel spills, much maintenance and hassle of having to get fuel. In addition, the lifetime costs of purchase and operation of an electric mower are less than a gas mower over 15 years.

 Leaf mulch, made by creating a layer of about 3" of shredded leaves, acts as a mulch for about a year, then decays to be a great soil amendment (compost). In addition, leaves are free and abundant in the Fall. Leaves can be shredded by running over them with a mulching mower, using a stand alone leaf shredder, or putting a weed wacker in a can of leaves. Ask your landscaper! They might remove leaves and mulch your gardens for less than it costs to just remove leaves. NPR story: https://www.npr.org/2022/10/25/1131114849/leaves-fall-autumn-compost-mulch-grass-lawn-nutrients?utm_source=pocket--newtab

Composting produces nutrient rich-soil which is an organic fertilizer for both your gardens and your lawn. You can compost just leaves and other yard waste or add in food waste too. 

Biodiversity is the variety of all forms of life and it is essential to the existence and proper functioning of all ecosystems. Biodiversity supports habitats for all species by providing many environments in which species can exist. Biodiversity is essential for food, air, and water security.

Chemicals do not only effect our lawns but our waterways and our insect and bee populations