If you’ve been looking for an opportunity for your HOA to go green — to make a difference for the environment—there are plenty of ways to do it, starting with your summer lawn maintenance. Whether you have a vendor that does all of the association’s mowing and grooming, or your residents all handle their own lawns, distribute these tips to offer some ways in which your association can truly be eco-friendly in its yard maintenance.
1. It is important to water your lawns more heavily, but to do so less often. This is the best way to conserve the amount of water you use. By watering more aggressively, the water will last much longer—meaning you can go for longer periods of time without needing to water.
2. After the lawn is mowed, it is okay—and even prudent—to leave a few grass clippings on the lawn. Of course, for aesthetic purposes, you probably wish to blow away many of the excess clippings, but leaving a few clippings can actually help nourish the grass as it grows.
3. Cutting your grass too short can actually cause damage. A good rule of thumb is to only mow the grass by about a third of its current height. A failure to follow this rule could lead to root damage and ultimately to a dying lawn!
4. Organic fertilizers are not a bad investment, but be warned that they take a bit longer to show results. With that said, the results they offer will ultimately last much longer, and keep your lawn healthier.
5. For small lawn areas, consider an electric lawn mower. These mowers are rechargeable, can usually run for more than an hour, and are better for the environment—though admittedly, they probably aren’t worth it if you have an especially large lawn area.
There are many ways in which lawn care can be done in an eco-friendly way, starting with the tips listed here and Go Green !
