Lawn
and Pasture Management
A luscious lawn with thriving trees and plants is a great source
of pride to many homeowners. The landscape enthusiast will often
go to great lengths
and expense to maintain the appearance of his or her lawn. Unfortunately,
hours spent seeding, fertilizing, watering, mowing, and eliminating pests
can, however, be detrimental to the environment. There are, however,
many "earth-friendly" methods by which to promote lawn health
that will also save time and money.
Grass/Sod Alternatives
Alternative
Landscaping view the link to learn more about URWA’s alternative landscaping projects.
If you like the look of a thickly
carpeted yard but would prefer to spend less time manicuring it, consider
replacing your lawn with a ground cover such as:
• purple leaf wintercreeper
• periwinkle
• lily of the valley
• bugelweed
• birdsfoot trefoil
• bearberry
• wineleaf cinquefoil
• pachysandra
These hearty plants will save you the time usually spent mowing or fertilizing
grass. In addition, this kind of vegetation does not compact the soil
as much as grass. Porous soils are better able to absorb water, thus
promoting filtration of impurities and decreasing soil erosion.
Mowing
Replacing your lawn is a pretty radical
idea. Some people just like the look and feel of grass too much to
do such a thing. Grass-growers take heart, though. You can promote
environmental health as regularly as you mow! Mow the lawn to about
2.5 to 3.5 inches. Cutting too short results in decreased root growth.
More roots mean more water is absorbed and your lawn will stay greener
in periods of low rainfall.
Large field owners can help preserve wildlife habitats by devising a
strategic mowing schedule. Your open fields may be potential nesting
sites for grassland birds. Sadly, these birds and their young fall prey
to mowers. If possible, plan to mow your fields after August 15, when
your guests are least likely to be home.
Pest Deterrents
Non-chemical methods of pest control
have the least impact on the environment. Some plants, predator species,
and common sense techniques will do the just as well as their synthetic
counterparts. See our Hazardous Materials document for more detailed
information about pesticide alternatives.
Soil Nutrients and Fertilizer Alternatives
Nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus
and potassium are required for plant survival. If these nutrients are
not naturally available, we can add fertilizers. Synthetic fertilizers,
however, are often applied needlessly and in excess. Over abundance
of these chemicals can be dangerous to the health of living organisms
if they reach drinking water supplies and aquatic habitats. It is for
this reason that we encourage initial determination of soil nutrient
need, and careful consideration of chemical fertilizer alternatives.
The following are sure-fire steps ways in which to avoid improper and
over-fertilization.
1. Have your soil tested to determine the precise amount of nutrients
needed to augment the natural levels available in the soil (call a Rutgers
Cooperative Extension office).
2. Know the size of the area you will be fertilizing to help you determine
the appropriate fertilizer amount.
3. Set your spreader to empty the correct amount of fertilizer.
4. Read all instructions, ingredients and safety information before beginning
any application.
5. Do not spread fertilizers if rain or wind is forecasted. You want
them to stay on your lawn, not go in the air or water.
If you find that your soil does does require additional fertilization,
you may wish to consider the use of natural alternatives to commercial
chemical products. Animal manure, for instance, may be used as a fertilizer.
This method requires care as well, despite the fact that it is a natural
source of the nutrients required for plant growth. Manure should not
be spread near surface water or storm drains due to the risk of bacterial
contamination of water sources from runoff.
We believe that the best chemical alternative is mulch spreading or composting.
Mulch or compost created by the decomposition of grass clippings, leaves,
and kitchen vegetable waste helps to replenish the nutrient levels of
soil and is completely natural.
Here are some tips to help you create a successful compost heap:
• Never place meat, animal fat or dairy products in the pile.
• Compost bins, although not a necessity, help keep the pile neat as well
as retain heat and moisture.
• The combination of a variety of materials helps to achieve the proper
carbon to nitrogen ratio.
• Carbonous materials include paper, straw, leaves, and wood chips.
• Nitrogenous materials include grass clippings and vegetable scraps.
For information on a specific plants, view The New Jersey Natural Heritage Program
