Biodiverse Lawns and Sustainable Yard Care

LAWN SIZE

Lawns are essentially ecological dead zones. They are monocultures of usually non-native grass that require much water, fertilizer, harmful pesticides and herbicides, time and expense to maintain. They provide little or no benefit to the ecosystem. Replacing portions of lawn with native, non-cultivar flower beds will provide vital nutritional support and habitat to pollinators, birds, etc. as well as a vibrant yard full of color and life. 


NO MOW MAY (for your smaller lawn)

Dandelions, clover and other blooming plants provide an early source of food and fuel for pollinators emerging from their winter hibernations.  Not cutting the lawn during the month of May allows them to thrive. Leaving parts of your lawn uncut during the summer promotes fireflies as well.  Also, leaving the grass clippings on the lawn allows the nutrients to return to the soil.

 

MOWING AWARENESS

Walk the lawn before you mow to check for rabbit nests, which are very shallow. Also, try to refrain from “speed mowing”; propelling the mower slowly allows time for amphibians and critters hiding in the grass to get out of the way of the blades.

 

YARD “CLEANUP”

Traditional yard cleanup practices can have serious negative ecological impacts. To support native fauna, it is best to:

  • Leave the leaves on your flower beds and under your trees. Many insects and wildlife need the protection and nutrients of fallen leaves to survive throughout the year. Fallen leaves also provide insulation for overwintering biota and moisture retention during dry months. As the leaves decompose, nutrients return to the soil.
  • Do not cut dead branches or trees, flower stalks and seed pods which provide food and shelter for many vital insects, birds and small mammals throughout the year, not just over the winter
  • Do not remove fallen logs and branches from the ground. Yet again, these provide shelter and food for many species
  • Refrain from hauling away or burning leaves and branches. Doing so removes all the benefits listed above. Also, burning emits pollutants and potentially harmful particles to the air.


ELECTRIFYING GARDEN EQUIPMENT

Gas powered equipment emits carbon into the atmosphere at a higher rate than a car. They also pollute the atmosphere and your lungs, due to the toxic substances. Mass Save offers incentives to purchase electric garden tools.

 Please see “Yard Cleanup” above for benefits of leaving the leaves. Also, keep in mind that large piles of leaves along the edge of the woods can smother vital native edge plants.


HUGELKULTURE

Hugelkulture is an alternative way of creating raised beds. It follows the principals of using decay to increase biodiversity in the soil and reduce the need for water. It also sequesters carbon.


WATER RUNOFF

One of the effects of climate change in Massachusetts is the increase in rainfall.

Water runoff from impermeable surfaces including driveways and hard landscape areas is an increasing problem as this can result in flooding and can pollute water resources.  Flooding and high-water tables can also damage your septic system and flood your basement. Reducing the area of impermeable surfaces increases the resilience of the land in the face of storm water runoff. One solution to minimize stormwater runoff is to build a rainwater garden which also has the benefit of attracting pollinators. Also, consider keeping moss in your garden and lawn because it acts as a sponge.