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Last Updated on:  03/02/2008 03:22 PM           

• Plant grass or ground cover on exposed land to prevent the loss of topsoil from erosion.
• Create a compost pile for kitchen and garden waste to save energy by not having to haul yard debris to the dump.
• Plant evergreen trees to protect your home from the chilling winter winds.
• Plant deciduous shade trees to shade your house in the summer and allow the sun to warm your house in the winter.
• Plant natural grasses and shrubs that are native to your area and do not require a lot of extra water in the summer.
• Plant shade trees in the yard, by roadways and in vacant lots to combat the rising CO2 production.
• Plant native wildflowers in vacant lots, roadsides and other public areas so that the grass will not have to be mowed as often.
• Collect rain water in a rain barrel or cistern for watering plants, garden and landscaping.
• Reduce your landscape watering schedule. Experts say that most yards are over-watered.
• Water lawns early in the morning and long enough for a deep soak to encourage deep root growth.
• Plants and grasses grow slowly in the cooler weather.
• Keep an eye on the weather report and turn off your automatic irrigation system when rain is predicted.
• Check your sprinkler system and timer on a regular basis to be sure it is operating properly and giving you the right coverage.
• Install a rain sensor device or switch which will override the irrigation cycle of the sprinkler system when adequate rainfall has occurred.
• Use a "soaker" hose rather than a sprinkler, where possible. Less water is required because the water is concentrated on the soil nearer the roots and there is less evaporation.
• Water in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid evaporation.
• Avoid watering on windy days.
• Convert to a drip irrigation system that waters specific plants and avoids water waste.
• Use an electric instead of gas powered lawn and garden equipment.  Electric powered equipment create less pollution and are usually more energy efficient.
• Buy a new push mower for your lawn. They are quiet, non-polluting and you get exercise.
• Use "hand" pruners, clippers and other yard tools rather than gasoline or electric-powered ones.
• Lawn mowers will cut more efficiently and use less energy when the blades are sharpened regularly.
• If you reduce fertilizing the lawn, you'll have to water less and cut the it less frequently.
• Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches. A lawn cut higher encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system and holds soil moisture better than a closely-clipped lawn.
• Leave lawn clippings after mowing to fertilize the grass, or collect the clippings and use them for mulch.
• Use a mulching lawn mower instead of bagging and carting off grass clippings. The mulched clippings fall back to the soil and add nutrients.
• Mulch your planting beds to retain moisture in the soil and to control weeds.
• Use a broom to clean the sidewalks and driveway instead of using a noisy, polluting, blower.
• Stop using a hose to clean these surfaces which wastes hundreds of gallons of water.
• Sweeping the sidewalks and driveway
• Regularly check all hoses, connectors and spigots for leaks. Install new hose washers when needed.
• Plant native plants that are adapted to your area. They require less water and maintenance, and look great.
• If possible, use the grey water from the laundry and shower for irrigation in the yard.
• Choose the small solar powered lights for your landscape lighting.