The carbon footprint of lawn maintenance comes primarily from four inputs: The amount of carbon dioxide the lawn sequesters minus the emissions related to mowing, addition of lawn chemicals, and irrigation.
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
Replacement of lawns with native plants and gardens increases habitat for pollinators and birds, reduces mowing needs, reduces pesticide and fertilizer use, and reduces water runoff.
Row homes to multi-acre properties, from caring for a single geranium or tomato plant to shaming the Phila Horti Society, we all love to get our hands in the dirt, step back and watch grow what we've created. This is a place to:
The goal of this group is to provide a supportive environment for those people who are composting to ask questions, talk about issues they are having, and share solutions.
Hello and welcome to Havertown Plant Exchange. This is a great space to share, request, buy, sell, and trade plants & plant related objects. Feel free to share your plant journey or ask questions about your plants as well.
The Pennsylvania Native Plant Society(PNPS) is a non-profit, membership organization that promotes the conservation of Pennsylvania's native plants and habitats through education, research, and cultivation. This group is designed for discussions of native plants.
This group is for those interested in gardening with NATIVE plants (PA/Mid-Atlantic) only.
The Program "is available statewide and aims to support those who wish to convert excess acres of lawn to wood or meadow.
The department can provide technical assistance and resources, support partnership development and projects, and fund eligible plantings."
"The lawn, clipped short and consisting of very few species, is a rather hostile, sterile environment for most wildlife, being devoid of food and places to hide or nest. Planting and maintaining a lawn also has time, economic, and environmental costs."
Learn how to rethink your lawn, plant native pollinators and be part of the Pollinator Pathway.
The Coopertown BEEautification Crew is a volunteer team of grownups and kids committed to supporting pollinators in the Coopertown neighborhood in Haverford Township
This webinar, hosted by Lauren McGrath (DCVA board member and Director of Willistown Conservation Trust's Watershed Protection Program), explores tips and tricks on how to improve lawn care practices and water quality.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.