Earth Day 2009 (April 22nd) is right around the corner!
Ideas for green living begin with energy and water
conservation, but they must go beyond that. Thus the idea of green living or
"eco-friendly landscaping". Eco-friendly is shorthand for a modern approach to
life in the west that exhibits a heightened sensitivity towards environmental
concerns. As in other aspects of our lives, in our landscaping, we can implement
ideas for green living to save energy, make the earth a cleaner place, and save
money to boot! Here are just a few of ideas for contributing to Earth Day year
round!
Reel Lawn Mowers
Reel lawn mowers are an eco-friendly alternative to
gas-powered rotary models and are a true boon to energy conservation. Reel lawn
mowers are muscle-powered, so there's no engine involved. Using them promotes
energy conservation and also cleaner air.
Cutting Back on Lawn Space
Depending upon a number of factors (including the climate of
your region), you may also wish simply to cut back on the amount of space that
you have to mow.
Alternatives to Lawns
Reducing lawn space will promote water and energy
conservation. The premise is simple enough: less lawn means less mowing, and --
unless you're using a reel mower -- less mowing means reduced use of a power
source. But reducing lawn space can also promote water conservation. Lawns
require more watering than planting beds. In watering planting beds comprised of
individual plants, you can target the watering better (using drip irrigation,
for instance), thereby promoting water conservation. Trees and shrubs can also
play a role in water reduction and conservation.
Xeriscaping for Water Conservation
It is a common misconception that automatic irrigation
systems are wasteful. On the contrary, if used properly, automatic irrigation
systems can promote water conservation.
These are just a few ideas that we can all implement in our
daily schedule to pitch in to be more earth friendly and conservation conscious.
For more information on Earth Day you can go to www.earthday.net.