Sustainable Landscaping and Chemical-free Yards: The Earth-Friendly Grass is Always Greener

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Reduce the amount of water your yard uses by planting drought-tolerant native plants, using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler, or watering deeply but less frequently.

Americans crave lush landscaping. We want a place for our kids to play, our dogs to run and our neighbors to admire. But at what cost? The typical summer lawn-care routine often depends upon commercial fertilizer (made with fossil fuels), toxic chemical pesticides, water-wasting sprinkler systems and gas-guzzling, air-polluting lawn mowers.

We’ve been brainwashed into believing our yards are deficient if we don’t have a weed-free carpet of lawn, says Paul Tukey, author of The Organic Lawn Care Manual (Storey Publishing, 2007) and founder of SafeLawns, an organization that promotes natural yard care. Yet most of the synthetic landscape products we use to achieve these “Stepford lawns” are harmful to people, animals and the environment.

The more chemicals we use, the more we need, because we eventually kill the good—beneficial insects, microorganisms and plants—along with the so-called bad, Tukey says.

“It’s self-perpetuating,” he says. “Using chemicals creates the need for more pesticides and herbicides. We call these lawns ‘rugs on drugs.’”

Fortunately, you can end the cycle of landscape chemical dependency.

Safe stimulants for your soil

Start from the ground up—literally. “Healthy soil is a living, breathing organism,” Tukey says.

The first and most important step to creating a sustainable landscape is a soil test. Tukey recommends consulting your local extension office or using simple pH kits from garden centers. Once you’ve determined the soil’s composition, the extension agent can interpret it and suggest the right mineral and compost amendments.

“Healthy soil will grow healthy grass,” Tukey says. “And that grass will defend itself against insects and crowd-out weeds, so you won’t need to spray a bunch of chemicals on it.”

Get off the grass

A smaller patch of grass ultimately reduces time spent mowing—along with the petroleum consumption and harmful emissions that result from using a gas-powered mower.

Many plants are better suited to your home landscape than grass. The best choices are always native species that are well-adapted to the local climate and soil (another reason for a soil test). Most garden centers sell native seeds and plants, specially labeled for easy identification. Otherwise, search for your area native plants online (see “12-Step Program for Getting Your Lawn Off Chemicals,” below.)

If you prefer a traditional lawn, Tukey suggests a turfgrass variety that suits your climate. It will need less water, less mowing and less work.

Practice grows perfect

Organic home landscapes require other eco-minded strategies, including water conservation, natural pest controls and composting. Results don’t happen overnight—a great lawn may take two or three years. However, the payoffs include lower cost, easy maintenance and a safe, sustainable, beautiful yard.