The green swards in front gardens throughout the UK are not as environmentally friendly as you may think.

Environmental Issues with Lawns.

• 3 million lawns are mowed several times a year – that must be equal to 250 million miles. Petrol mowers, particularly old mowers, produce more greenhouse gas than cars. Electric mowers are not a lot better but who uses a scythe these days. Even a mechanical push style mower has used natural resources in its manufacture and delivery.

• Feeding lawns with chemicals should be an environmental no-no. Leave clippings on the lawn to rot down instead.

• Watering the lawn is unnecessary but is still undertaken by many at the height of the summer when resources are scarce.

• Weed treatments, even if following organic guidelines, are likely to kill off the food and natural habitat of some creatures.

Environmental Tips for Lawns

• Do not cut the grass too short. Longer leaves shade others and thus save moisture.
• Short lawns weakens the grass and scalping encourages moss.
• Wild flower meadows look good, need no feeding and provide seed and habitat for a variety of wildlife.
• Clover is too be encouraged in lawns, it feeds the soil and the flowers provide food for bees.