Guide to Green Living

Weekly environmental news, Aug 25-31

2006-09-01T20:22:00.000-04:00

California agrees on global warming bill
Rich nations' greenhouse gases up, despite Kyoto
Ice Age gives clues to global warming
World Bank logs largest ever greenhouse gas deal
Dam broken to restore California wetlands
Disaster-prone China braces for global warming
Flood levels recede in Indian desert
Katrina ignites scientific storm over hurricane trends
Poachers kill 100 elephants in Chad
Inmates shave heads to mop up Philippine oil spill

Why You Should Keep Elastic Bands

2006-08-30T17:06:00.000-04:00

That elastic band that comes with your morning paper, wrapped around your vegetables, or with a bouquet of flowers can be reused in your kitchen. After opening a snack bag, such as potato chips, sunflower seeds, or pretzels, you want to keep them fresh for the next time you want some. So, roll the bag down to squeeze out extra air, and wrap an elastic around it, so your snacks stay nice and fresh. It's best to keep elastics handy in a kitchen drawer, because you never know when you're going to need one.

Why You Should Keep Eggshells

2006-08-28T19:19:00.000-04:00

After you've done some baking, and you're cleaning up, remember to keep your eggshells, because they can be useful in your garden. You can crush them up (putting them in a bag first works well) and then spread them around plants to protect them from slugs and snails. The rough edges are too sharp for the slimy creatures to traverse, thus creating a barrier around your plant. Over time, the eggshells will break down, so they won't harm your garden.

Weekly environmental news, Aug 18-24

2006-08-25T20:30:00.000-04:00

Experts call for change in global water management [AFP]
Ozone layer on the mend but recovery delayed [Reuters]
U.S. wind energy on the rise [Business Week]
Food, biofuels could worsen water shortages [Reuters]
Squid, jellyfish point to ocean upsets? [Reuters]
Runners' collapse in Hong Kong due to smog [AFP]
China's urban water supplies face severe test [Reuters]
Biofuels may strain U.N. world hunger goals [Reuters]

Why You Should Keep Plastic Bags

2006-08-23T20:27:00.000-04:00

Plastic bags that you get from the grocery store or the drug store can be kept and reused instead of thrown out. They have many possible uses that make them handy to have around. From doggy bags to lunch bags, or garbage bags to storage bags, you can use them for a plethora of things. They can also be reused as grocery bags. Just take them with you to the store instead of getting more while you're there.

Why You Should Keep Toothbrushes

2006-08-21T20:33:00.000-04:00

Old toothbrushes are great for cleaning those hard-to-reach places in your bathroom and kitchen. So, the next time you wear one out, just put it under your sink for future use as a scrubber. For some environmentally friendly cleaning ideas, check out our article on natural cleaning recipes.

Weekly environmental news, Aug 11-17

2006-08-18T20:33:00.000-04:00

Greenland ice cap may be melting at triple speed [New Scientist]
Rich countries, like poor, face water crisis: WWF [Reuters]
Necessity mother of invention in gas-fuelled Armenia [Reuters]
Global warming behind killer typhoon season in China [AFP]
GM to Show Off Fuel Cell-Powered Car [AP]
Caviar, oil targeted by Caspian protection plan [Reuters]
Pacific 'Dead Zone' Said To Exceed Fears [AP]
China draws line in sand to end pollution for good [Reuters]

Why You Should Keep Hockey Sticks

2006-08-16T16:50:00.000-04:00

Once a hockey stick has been grown out of, broken, or just isn't going to be used for hockey anymore, it can be used in the garden as a guiding pole for vines and other climbing plants. Some plants need something that they can wrap themselves around and continue upwards on so that they can flourish. Other long, pole-like things, such as broomsticks can also be reused in this manner. Just push or hammer them into the ground, and voila, you have a free, recycled garden pole.

Why You Should Keep Sticky Notes

2006-08-14T20:45:00.000-04:00

It’s often tricky to get the dust out from between the keys of your computer’s keyboard, so try reusing sticky notes. If the note is full of writing and is no longer of any use to you, you should hang on to them anyway. Just slide the sticky side between the keys on your keyboard to pick up the dust that gets trapped between them where the space is narrow and other cleaners can’t be used. This is optimal for laptop keyboards because the keys don't come out and they're closer together than detached keyboards.

Source: Tricks of the Trade

Weekly environmental news, Aug 4-10

2006-08-11T21:03:00.000-04:00

Swiss mountain crumbles under hot climate [Reuters]
Questions about Lights Out Hong Kong [AFP]
China to let tourists hunt endangered species [Reuters]
Tsunami boosts illegal Indonesia logging [AP]
Acid rain in China threatening food chain [AFP]
Brazil arrests 46 in logging crackdown [AP]

Why You Should Keep Cookie Bags

2006-08-09T19:39:00.000-04:00

After you've finished munching away at a bag of cookies, and you're getting ready to throw out the whole bag, think twice! You can remove the long twist tie that is glued to the bag and that keeps it shut. Not all cookie bags have this, but for those that do this is a great idea. These ties can be reused as twist ties around the house such as to hold bags shut, tie plants to garden poles and to organize computer cords. This is a great waste reducing tip because twist ties can be used over and over again, and they never have to be thrown out.

Why You Should Keep Cereal Bags

2006-08-07T14:21:00.000-04:00

Instead of throwing out the bags from cereal boxes, use them to replace wax paper. You can use them to cover food in the fridge or when you’re reheating something in the microwave. They can be used in the place of wax paper because they're very similar in material. They're both paper based with a wax coating. You can also use the cereal bags to do shake & bake cooking, as well as a bag for crushing nuts, crackers, and other snack foods. Unfortunately cereal bags, like wax paper, cannot be washed and reused after coming into contact with food. But you'll be saving on wax paper and doubling the use you get out of your cereal bags.

Weekly environmental news, July 28 - Aug 3

2006-08-04T17:45:00.001-04:00

Oil from bombed plant damages Lebanon's coast [Reuters]
Major world cities join forces against global warming [Reuters]
Clean penguins return to sea after oil spill [AP]
Floods, snow devastate S. African cities [Reuters]
"Protected" Canadian old growth forest at risk [Reuters]
UK, Calif. to bypass Bush on global warming [AP]
High risks from melting permafrost in Alps [Reuters]

Why You Should Keep Dryer Sheets

2006-08-02T20:57:00.000-04:00

Used dryer sheets make excellent cloths for dusting television and CRT (TV-like) computer screens. It’s often difficult to dust these sensitive surfaces because they’re statically charged, so dust sticks to them. You'd also have to be very careful with a liquid cleaner, as you don't want to damage the electronics. Dryer sheets, however, are statically charged when they come out of the dryer, and so they readily pick up dust.

Introducing "Why You Should Keep..."

2006-08-02T20:40:00.000-04:00

You have a lot of things lying around the house, we all do. And a lot of it will end up being trashed. We will be introducing a new type of post to help you reduce your waste. We will mostly be focussing on creative ways to reuse things that you would otherwise throw out.

This new component of our blog will be called "Why You Should Keep..." and will be updated twice a week initially, and possibly more in the long run. If you have a tip that has worked for you in the past, we'd love to hear about it! Send us an e-mail: guidetogreenliving at gmail dot com.

Look for our first post soon!

Weekly environmental news, July 21-27

2006-07-28T19:30:00.000-04:00

Researchers link wildfires, climate change [AP]
Europe heatwave sparks fear [Reuters]
Sweden aims for oil-free economy [BBC]
Arab water to cost US$100B by 2016 [Reuters]
Canada lags US on industrial pollution cuts [Reuters]
Trawling ban protects deep-sea Alaska corals [Reuters]
Power group promoting global warming skeptic [Reuters]
Drought shrinks Brazil's Iguazu waterfall [Reuters]

Natural Cleaning Recipes

2006-07-28T13:10:00.000-04:00

These are a few recipes for cleaning different surfaces in your home. They consist of environmentally friendly products and can be used in place of harmful commercial cleaners.

All surfaces – There are quite a few different recipes for all purpose cleaners that can be used on basically any surface in your home. One such recipe consists of 125 mL of pure soap, 4 litres of hot water, and an optional 60 mL of lemon juice to cut grease and to add a fresh scent. This can be used on all surfaces and should be rinsed off. The amounts of soap and lemon juice can be increased for tougher jobs. Another recipe is made up of 50 mL baking soda, 250 mL ammonia, 125 mL white vinegar, and 4 litres of warm water. Take note that ammonia is a dangerous substance and should be handled with care. Another cleaner can be made by dissolving 4 tablespoons of baking soda in a litre of warm water. Use a sponge to clean the surface then rinse with clean water. The baking soda will act as an abrasive to help remove dirt.

Scouring – One recipe for scouring powder is made by dissolving 10 mL of borax and 50 mL of pure soap flakes into 375 mL of boiling water. Let the mixture cool and add 50 mL of whiting (this is a chalk powder that will act as an abrasive). Pour the mixture into a sealed plastic or glass container and shake well before using. Another recipe entails mixing pure soap with either table salt or baking soda and scrubbing with a firm bristle brush.

Smells – Baking soda is a great deodorizer because it neutralizes both basic and acidic smells. An open box of baking soda in your fridge or pantry will reduce any unwanted food smells. Baking soda can be sprinkled on carpets, upholstery or mattresses before vacuuming to get rid of any bad smells. Sprinkling some baking soda in the bottom of your garbage bin will reduce bad food odours.

Dishes – To make your own dish soap place 500 mL of pure soap flakes in a pot and mix with 4 litres of water. Heat the mixture on medium heat until it boils. Let it cool before you use it. You can also add some vinegar to it for tougher grease stains. This soap cannot be used in dishwashers, so to make a soap that can, mix equal parts borax and washing soda.

Drains – There are a couple of recipes for environmentally friendly drain cleaners. The first is a mixture of 250 mL baking soda, 250 mL salt, 125 mL white vinegar and a kettle’s worth of boiling water. Pour the baking soda, salt and vinegar down the drain, followed by the boiling water about 15 minutes later. The baking soda and vinegar will react to cut through the fatty acids in your drain, and the salt will act as an abrasive. You could use the same method without the salt and with about half the baking soda. In this case you would only have to wait 5 minutes before pouring the water down the drain.

Ovens – Oven cleaners can contain some very dangerous compounds, and their fumes are usually toxic. Some more natural alternatives to commercial oven cleaners are available. One such alternative is to sprinkle water in the oven. Add some baking soda and scrub with very fine steel wool. Wipe off the mixture and the dirt with a damp sponge, rinse and dry. If there is a bad spill in your oven, sprinkle water, then salt on it while the oven is still warm. Once the oven has cooled, scrape away the spill and wash the area.

Toilet bowls – For stains in your toilet, make a paste about the consistency of toothpaste using borax and lemon juice. Apply the paste to the sides of your toilet and let it sit for about 2 hours. Scrub the surface thoroughly and rinse. Another technique is to sprinkle baking soda on the sides of the bowl and add vinegar. Scrub the surface with a toilet brush. For regular cleanings, use any all purpose cleaner or a simple mixture of vinegar and water to prevent stains from building up.

Carpets, rugs and upholstery – To clean and deodorize your carpet or upholstery, sprinkle baking soda liberally on the surface, leave it for about an hour, and then vacuum. For tougher stains, sponge a mixture of vinegar and water on the stain, sponge with clean water and then pat it dry. Soapy water with vinegar can also be used in the same fashion.

Countertops – For tough stains on countertops, let a few drops of lemon juice sit for a few minutes then scrub with baking soda. Other all purpose cleaners can be used on such stains, along with vinegar diluted in water. Make sure to wipe the cleaners off before you use the countertop again.

Mirrors and glass – A solution of diluted vinegar can be used for regular cleaning of glass surfaces. The smell of vinegar, though it disappears once the vinegar has dried, is not appealing to most, and so a few drops of lemon juice on a cloth can have the same effect. Another method is to wash the surface with pure soap and water, then rinse with a mixture of 4 parts water and 1 part vinegar.

Furniture – To remove dust and fingerprints from furniture, use a damp wash cloth to wipe and then dry immediately with a soft cloth. For tougher cleaning jobs, mix about 750 mL of olive oil with about 250 mL of vinegar. Apply to the furniture with a clean, soft cloth and wipe dry.

Lime and mineral deposits – Lime and mineral deposits can build up on bathroom and kitchen faucets. To remove them, soak cloths in vinegar and wrap the cloth around the affected faucet. Leave the cloth to sit for about an hour (depending on how tough the deposits are). This will soften the deposits so they can be easily wiped away.

Microwaves and refrigerators – To clean the inside of your microwave or refrigerator, use a mixture of equal parts water and baking soda. This will get rid of stains and smells from your appliances. For tougher stains in your microwave, place a mixture of 30 mL of lemon juice in about 300 mL of water. Turn the microwave on for 2-3 minutes until the water boils. The same can be done with a mixture of 30 mL of baking soda in water, or a few slices of lemon in water. The steam from the boiling water, along with the lemon or baking soda component, will loosen the food in your microwave so it can easily be wiped away.

Metals – Commercial metal cleaners are not very friendly products. There are many natural cleaners that work as well as commercial ones but are much less harmful to your health and to the environment. To clean copper, you can use lemon juice or a lemon slice dipped in salt as a scrubber. For brass pieces, make a paste using lemon juice and baking soda (this can also be used to polish and clean copper). Rub the paste on the surface with a soft cloth, rinse and dry. Chrome and stainless steel can be cleaned using a cloth dipped in undiluted white vinegar. Wipe and dry the surface. Before you use any of these techniques, make sure that the metal you are cleaning isn't plated, or else the cleaning will remove the plating from the metal.

Note: When cleaning, try to avoid using disposable cloths or paper towels. Instead, try reusable cloths.

Have any tips of your own? Add them in the comments!

Weekly environmental news, July 14-20

2006-07-21T21:02:00.000-04:00

Warmer westerlies threaten Antarctica [ABC]
G8 'Energy Security' Plan criticized [OneWorld]
So far, 2006 warmest on record in U.S. [MSNBC]
China to invest US$175B in environment clean-up [Reuters]
Drought threatens Amazon basin [Guardian]
BP closes Alaska oil wells after possible leaks [AP]
Undersea gas could speed global warming [Reuters]
Greenland to open Arctic sea to oil wells? [AP]

Natural Cleaning Products

2006-07-20T16:13:00.000-04:00

This is a list of some natural products that are great for cleaning and can replace most of your chemical cleaners. With these products you'll be able to make everyday cleaning more environmentally friendly.

Vinegar – Because vinegar is a strong acid, it can cut through wax and grease as well as kill moulds and mildew. It also works great on stains. It can therefore replace harsh chemical cleaners that wreak havoc on the environment and can be dangerous to your health. Because it is a natural substance, vinegar can be used safely on many surfaces. For example, vinegar can be used to clean and disinfect cutting boards, dishes (including china and fine glassware) and pots and pans. It is also strong enough to get rid of grease and grime from your refrigerator, microwave, oven, sinks and countertops. Vinegar can be used to clean tile floors and to get rid of soap scum and hard water stains on bathroom fixtures and tiles (however keep in mind that it shouldn’t be used on marble surfaces) and to dissolve rust from metals. Vinegar is especially great on glass (such as windows and mirrors) and on stainless steel.

Pure soap – Pure soap is the basic compound found in all soap, but contains no added chemicals or scents and therefore has a minimal impact on the environment. Although it may not be strong enough for all cleaning needs, it is safe to use on any surface and works simply by scrubbing and rinsing with water.

Lemon juice – Like vinegar, lemon juice contains acid which is great for cutting through grease and killing bacteria. Many people prefer using lemon juice for cleaning over vinegar (or adding lemon juice to vinegar) because it has a much nicer scent. Lemon juice is usually just as effective as vinegar for cleaning and is environmentally safe. It can be used on the same surfaces and for the same purposes as vinegar; for grease, stains, soap scum, and hard water deposits on porcelain, metals, tiles, and plastics.

Baking soda – Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a natural powder that can be very useful for cleaning. It acts to neutralize both acids and bases and so can eliminate odours. You can sprinkle some baking soda on your carpet before vacuuming to help deodorize it. Many people also put some baking soda in the fridge to get rid of smells. Baking soda is also great as a mild abrasive cleaner for scouring and polishing, and can be used as a natural fabric softener. It also works great to declog drains because baking soda is a base just like brand name drain decloggers.

Borax – Borax is a natural product that deodorizes, removes stains, removes mould growth and can increase the performance of soaps and detergents. It can be used with vinegar to make a paste that is great for removing bad stains from surfaces such as porcelain.

Ammonia – Ammonia, though natural, is a dangerous substance. It works on tough stains such as on carpets and rugs, linoleum, enamel, and most appliances. However, it shouldn't be handled without gloves, a mask and goggles, and should always be used in a well ventilated area. It should also never be mixed with any other cleaning products because it is very reactive.

Our next post will describe some cleaning recipes for these products that you can use on various surfaces in your home.

Have any tips of your own? Add them in the comments!

Weekly environmental news, July 7-13

2006-07-14T17:27:00.000-04:00

West African Black Rhino extinct?[National Geographic]
Volcanic leaks expose risks of GHG storage [Reuters]
Britain looks to nuclear, renewable energy future [AP]
Asia increases use of nuclear energy [AP]
Canadian climate exchange ready and waiting [Reuters]
EU proposes tougher rules on pesticides [AP]
Environmentalism entering religious mainstream [AP]

Sustainable Buying Guide: Kitchen Appliances

2006-07-11T20:57:00.000-04:00

Look for newer refrigerator models – Generally, models that are more than ten years old use significantly more energy than newer models. When buying a fridge, look for models with high efficiency compressors, improved insulation and manual temperature controls. Another feature to look for is automatic moisture control to prevent the accumulation of moisture on the fridge’s exterior. Some models use an anti-sweat heater to accomplish this but they use more energy.

Keep size and feature needs in mind – Look for the size of fridge that is optimal for the use it will be getting. If you buy a model that is too big, you will be wasting energy cooling an empty fridge. However, if it is smaller than you need it will become overcrowded and air won’t be able to circulate properly. You should therefore look for a size so that your fridge will be just full. It is much more efficient to keep it full (but not too full) because less energy is lost from a full fridge when you open it. This is because the food items hold a lot of the cold in, just like an ice pack in a cooler. In addition, try to do without some features that come with some models. Such additional features as ice-makers and through-the-door dispenser use a lot more energy and increase the initial cost of the fridge. Also try to avoid models with automatic defrost. Instead go for manual defrost since they use significantly less energy to run. (Keep in mind that with manual defrost, you need to defrost more often to prevent build-up. Frost build-up will make it harder for the fridge’s motor to run.)

Consider alternatives to the conventional oven – The two most common types of ovens, gas and electric, use approximately the same amount of energy to run. Gas ovens, however, are less efficient due to the accompanying need for venting. There are many new technologies in cooking available now that use less energy than these conventional models. Some examples include convection ovens which use a fan to circulate the hot air in the oven, combination ovens which use microwaves and halogen lamps to cook food, induction systems which cook using magnetic friction, and light energy ovens which use tungsten and halogen lamps. If you’re not one to cook or bake too often, or if there are not many people living in your home, then consider options other than an oven (or stovetop). Instead, microwave ovens, toaster ovens or electric frying pans may be more practical for your needs, they use much less energy, and are cheaper.

Look for an efficient dishwasher – When in the market for a dishwasher, compare the amount of energy and hot water different models use. To reduce the amount of water and energy used by your dishwasher, you should buy a dishwasher with a shorter wash cycle and with different options that allow you to customize the cycle depending on how much cleaning your dishes need. This can include such options as air dry instead of heat dry, and will prevent your dishwasher from using more energy and water than is needed to get your dishes clean. Another thing to keep in mind is the size you need depending on how many dishes need washing and how often. If you don’t need to do the dishes all that often, consider smaller than standard models for your kitchen.

Remember, when buying any appliance, look for the Energy Star logo and energy rating (sometimes as a yellow EnergyGuide label). Find an appliance that is low in the range of energy used by different models. Although these models may be more expensive, it certainly isn’t a rule that they are, and they will save you money in the long run on energy bills.

If you found this post helpful, you may also want to check out our post on using your kitchen more efficiently.

Have any tips of your own? Add them in the comments!

Weekly environmental news, June 30 - July 6

2006-07-07T20:37:00.000-04:00

The false hope of biofuels [WP]
Judge stops U.S. Navy using sonar [National Geographic]
Climate change evaporates from G8 agenda [Reuters]
Low water in Great Lakes causes worry [Reuters]
Hong Kong considering island wind farm [AFP]
Ability to control weather in question [Reuters]
Growing acidity of oceans may kill corals [WP]

Tips to Make your Kitchen More Efficient

2006-07-06T15:40:00.000-04:00

Keep it cool, but not too cool – There are many ways to practice efficient refrigeration regardless of the efficiency of the appliance itself. Once you have bought your fridge, install it in the coolest part of your kitchen, away from ovens, stovetops, dishwashers and windows. Also, cover all food that goes into the fridge, especially liquids. This will reduce the amount of moisture build-up in the fridge, therefore reducing the amount of energy needed to defrost it. Make sure the temperature setting on your fridge isn’t too low. The recommended temperatures are 3 to 4.5C (37-40F) for the fresh food compartment and -18C to -15C (0-5F) for the freezer section. Before putting hot food in the fridge, let it cool a bit so your fridge won’t have to work as hard to cool it. A lot of energy can be used and wasted by your fridge when the door is open so know what you want before you open it. For example, know all the ingredients you’ll need if you’re baking and get them all at once instead of reopening the fridge several times. Another way to keep your fridge efficient is through maintenance. Make sure the door seals are airtight to reduce the loss of cool air. (You can do this by placing a piece of paper in the door and closing it. If the paper can be pulled out easily, the seal is not tight enough) You should also clean the condenser coils behind your fridge at least once a year depending on the model.

Increase the energy efficiency of your oven and stovetop – When cooking with an electric oven, keep in mind that you can turn off the heat a couple of minutes before the food is done. If you don’t open the door, enough heat remains in the oven to finish cooking. A basic tip for ovens is not to open the door of the oven to check on your dish. Using the oven’s light and window will prevent heat loss that accompanies opening the door. A related tip is to make sure the seal on your oven door is tight. Remember that you do not need to preheat the oven for broiling or roasting. When you do need to preheat, only do so for 5-8 minutes, not longer. When cooking with pots on the stove, keep the lids on to reduce heat loss and use flat-bottomed cookware so that the heat being produced by the element is being absorbed efficiently. Also keep in mind that ceramic and glass pans can reduce cooking time. To clean your appliance, make sure any reflective surfaces are kept clean and shiny to increase efficiency. If you use the self-cleaning setting on your oven only use it for major clean-ups and try to use it soon after cooking, while the oven is still warm. When you can, use your microwave oven to cook; they use much less energy than standard ovens and take less time to cook.

Minimize the impact from your dishwasher – Try not to use your dishwasher during peak energy-use hours. Instead, turn it on in the evening or at night. Also, you should rinse dishes in cold water before putting them in the dishwasher, and scrape off any food that is stuck on so they will come out perfectly clean, and no further washing is required. Remember to only use your dishwasher for full loads, but make sure not to overload it. This will ensure the dishes are properly cleaned. Don't use the heat dry option on your dishwasher to dry your dishes. Simply letting them air dry is a much more energy-friendly option, and just as effective.

Some more general tips – Consider installing water saving aerators and flow regulators on your taps to reduce the amount of water wasted in your kitchen. Although they are not recommended, if you do have a garbage disposal system only use cold water to run it. In addition, as with any room in your house, make sure walls and windows are properly insulated and weatherstripped, and use energy efficient lighting such as compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Have any tips of your own? Add them in the comments!

Weekly environmental news, June 23-29

2006-06-30T13:41:00.000-04:00

Seal remains reveal warmer Antarctica [National Geographic]
Fringe ideas for a cool climate [IHT]
Scientists approve Gore's movie for accuracy [AP]
Denmark to set up ice cap stations [AP]
Algae bloom off Canada's west coast sparks concern [AFP]
Japan to swap gas for ethanol by 2030 [AP]
Germany criticized for carbon pollution give-away [AFP]
Dell to offer free pick-up, recycling for its products [AP]

Tips to More Sustainable Lawn Care

2006-06-27T15:57:00.000-04:00

Maintain healthy soil – Having healthy soil is the first step to a healthy lawn. Some ways to make sure your soil is healthy are to test its pH, organic matter content, and nutrient content to see what areas need attention. Although this might seem like too expensive an option for some, it can pay off by reducing the amount of care you might otherwise have to put into your lawn. Lime can be used to reduce the acidity of your soil if that is an issue. The right amount of organic matter in your soil will provide an ideal environment for insects and other organisms that your lawn needs to stay healthy. Adding compost and leaving grass clippings on your lawn is a good way to increase the amount of organic matter. If there is more than 1 cm (½ inch) of organic matter (or thatch) buildup on your lawn, it can choke your grass, and prevent air, water and nutrients from reaching the soil. To remove it, aerating and raking will be sufficient. One cause of thatch buildup is excessive fertilizing, so keep it to a minimum. Aeration, along with removing thatch buildup, is also an excellent method of reducing soil compaction and encouraging your grass to develop deep roots.

Choose your grass wisely – By choosing a species of grass that is native to your area's climate and soil type, you will reduce the amount of care (such as watering and fertilizer) that it requires. Turf grass is the most commonly used grass for lawns, but it is not accustomed to many climates and won’t do as well as a natural species. You may also want to consider using a mixture of grasses in your lawn. Most pests will attack only a single variety of grass, so having a mixture will minimize the damage that any single pest can cause.

Be 'mow' smart – Don’t mow your lawn too short. Keeping it too short exposes the soil and the roots of the grass. This will result in water loss and reduction in soil aeration. Keep your lawn’s height around 8 cm (3 inches), since longer grass crowds out weeds, shades the soil to reduce water evaporation, and encourages your grass to develop deep roots, all in all resulting in a healthier lawn. It is also recommended to leave grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. This deters weeds and acts as a natural fertilizer. You should also keep your lawn mower well in tune and keep its blades sharp to reduce tearing which can expose your grass to disease. You shouldn't cut more than one third of your grass' height at a time. If you leave your lawn uncut for too long, and then cut a lot of it at once, it will essentially shock your grass, leaving it weak. This means that in the spring, during your lawn’s high growth phase, you may need to mow more often then in the hot summer months, when growth slows. Instead of using an electric or gas mower, consider a push mower. There are new designs to these mowers that make them much easier to use, and they have much less of an effect on the environment.

Water effectively – It is important to realize that most lawns don’t really need to be watered unless they have been newly seeded. If the species of grass in your lawn is natural to your climate, it will be accustomed to amount of precipitation in your area and any water you give it will be too much. In fact, overwatering, along with overfeeding, is a leading cause of fungal disease in lawns. However, if you do choose to water your lawn, there are ways to keep it efficient. Wait until the soil in your lawn has dried out to the depth of the grass’ roots before watering. Don’t worry if your grass is a little brown; that just means that it has become dormant. You should only water in the morning in order to reduce the amount of water being lost to evaporation. Water your lawn slowly (to reduce the amount of water lost as runoff and improve infiltration) and deeply (to make sure that the water is reaching the roots of the grass). Brief and shallow watering should be avoided since this can lead to shallow grass roots and thus weaker grass. Remember, more efficient watering techniques can save water and save you money.

Fertilize sparingly – There are many natural ways to fertilize your lawn that will minimize the effect on the environment. Don’t reach for the store-bought fertilizer right away. Compost and grass clippings are two natural and cheap fertilizers that you can use on your lawn to provide the nutrients it needs. For instance, compost used on grass will loosen clay soils and break down excess thatch on your lawn. If you do use other fertilizers, try organic products since they generally have a longer lasting effect and so applications are required less frequently. Time release fertilizers are also a good option since they continuously provide nutrients without burning your lawn or polluting groundwater in your area. Remember to only apply fertilizer once or twice a year and not to do so in the spring. Spring fertilizing will cause a period of major growth in your lawn that will result in tall but weak grass that won’t be able to handle large temperature variations or periods of drought.

Keep your lawn off drugs – Weeds are an issue in almost every lawn, however they are made out to be more harmful than they actually are. Many weeds, in fact, are edible and can be used to make salads (one example being the dandelion). Most homeowners however don’t want weeds in their lawn. To deal with this issue, the most effective method is to hand-pull weeds. Since most weeds are annuals, removing them before they seed will usually be enough for the rest of the season. For perennial weeds, you should make sure to remove their bulbs to make ensure they don’t come back later. If this doesn’t work well and you wish to use herbicides, don’t automatically apply them to your entire lawn. Use spot treatment (applying herbicides only to areas affected by weeds) to solve your weed problems. When buying herbicides, go for the more natural products to minimize the negative effects on the environment. For example, corn gluten can be applied before weeds appear as a preventative measure. Pest problems are also an issue for lawns, however pesticides should not be your first response. Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to prevent pests is a natural way to keep your lawn healthy (see our post on Sustainable Gardening for details on IPM). Pesticides may sometimes be needed, but remember that they don’t just affect pests in your lawn, but also important insects that keep your yard healthy. They may also have effects on people, especially young children who play in the yard. Keep in mind that prevention is always better than treatment, and that most treatments have more negative side effects than positive. Try to keep some perspective on the issue; having some pests in your lawn isn’t the end of the world.

Have any tips of your own? Add them in the comments!