Mowing
If mowing your lawn is the bane of your existence you will be happy to know that less is more when it comes to green lawn care. So give your mower and yourself a break as you work toward growing a greener, healthier lawn.
Buying a Green Lawn Mower
Why buy a green lawn mower? Just like cars and trucks, lawn mowers create emissions that cause pollution and contribute to global warming. Sure, their contribution is much smaller than that of automobiles, but collectively, the 35 million lawn mowers in use in the United States have one large impact. Gas mowers generate emissions directly; electric mowers, indirectly in the form of power-plant emissions.
Don't buy more mower than you need. If you have a small, flat yard, consider purchasing a manual-reel mower. They're quiet, inexpensive, and non-polluting. If you need a little more power, try a self-propelled walkbehind mower. This type of mower is fine for most lawns and uses less fuel than a larger tractor.
The plastic gas can that you use to fill-up your mower is another potential source of pollution. In California alone, gasoline containers account for about 87 tons a day of smog-forming pollution, equal to the emissions from about 1 million cars. Look for a newer no-spill gas can to eliminate spills and reduce evaporation.
Mow Less
Longer grass grows deeper roots that make it stronger, healthier, and less susceptible to weed and pest infiltration. Mow your lawn less and you will not only save yourself time and sweat, you will also save the planet by reducing the need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Grasscycle
A 1,000-square-foot lawn can generate about 300 pounds of clippings a year. Multiply that by a typical suburban neighborhood and you can quickly see the impact on your local landfill. Compost grass clippings or use a mulching lawn mower that returns them to your yard, and you will not only minimize waste, you will also fertilize your yard naturally.
If you hire out your lawn care, you can still keep it green by making sure the company or individual you choose understands organic yard care. Check out the websites for Beyond Pesticides or the Northeast Organic Farming Association to find an accredited green specialist in your area.
Maintain Your Mower
Save energy by making sure your lawn mower is in good working order. A tuned engine runs more efficiently and releases fewer pollutants. Use this checklist as your guide to make sure that your mower is properly maintained, to extend the life of your mower, and to save energy and money in annual repairs.
At the Beginning of Each Mowing Season:
Sharpen the blades. This is important for your lawn's health. Dull blades tear grass, leaving a larger area of tissue vulnerable to disease.
Set blades one notch higher. This will allow grass to grow just a smidge taller to shade out weeds and hold onto moisture.
Change the oil, draining the crankcase and refilling with manufacturer-recommended oil.
Replace any worn spark plugs.
Clean or replace the air filter.
After You Mow:
To maintain proper airflow and foster better performance, use a plastic trowel to keep the deck clear of clippings (disconnect the spark-plug wire if the clippings are damp).
Recharge cordless electric models correctly. Don't drain your battery completely as this can shorten its life. Stop mowing and plug in the charger when the battery starts running down. Manufacturers also suggest leaving the battery on charge when you are not using the mower.
At the End of Each Mowing Season:
Prepare your gas mower for the off-season by adding a stabilizer to prevent deposits that can clog the fuel passages. Briefly run the engine to circulate the mixture. This eliminates the wasteful and polluting practice of draining the tank at the end of the season.
