9 Easy Eco- Friendly Backyard Tips

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BREAK your back to create a yard that’s both beautiful and kind to Mother Nature. These environmentally smart ideas will turn your home turf into a little slice of Eden. Many will save you money too.

- Rachel Liska

1 LET THE GRASS GROW

Mowing less often, so your lawn gets a few inches longer than you’re accustomed to, will help it survive dry spells in warmer months. That’s because roots will grow deeper and lawns thicker, which means fewer pests, less disease, and a decreased need for chemical intervention.

2 GROW LOCAL

Native plants are accustomed to their area’s growing conditions and so, once established, will generally require less water and have fewer pests and diseases than nonnative plants. Check with your local nursery to see which species are appropriate in your neck of the woods.

3 WATER THE RIGHT WAY

Water before 10 a.m., when the air is cool and not as much moisture will be lost to evaporation. Watering in late afternoon is the next best option, though be sure that foliage has time to dry before damp nighttime temperatures (and fungal diseases) set in. Water near the base of plants rather than from overhead— soaker hoses are ideal, as they save water by slowly delivering the good stuff right to the roots. For lawns, water long and deep once a week.