Going Green, part 8: Lawn and Garden

Of course your lawn and/or garden are green, aren't they? Or are they?

Here are some tips to make the most of your natural resources and to reduce further, needless waste.

1. Xeriscape (I used to think this meant use gravel for mulch and plant only cacti, but it's really more aesthetically pleasing and common-sense oriented than that. In a nutshell, xeriscaping is planting plants and grasses that are native in your area because they are already well adapted to your particular climate--in particular, the amount of precipitation you get. For instance, hostas and lenten roses LOVE our yard. We transplant new ones/divide up older ones all the time; once they're established, we never have to water them again.)
2. Recyclable Pots (peat pots are commonly available now at most home and garden centers)
3. Water Wisely (covered under xeriscaping, too, but this is simply watering in the evening or EARLY morning when there is less chance of water evaporation)
4. Edible Gardens (sort of a no brainer--plant some food for you and your family to eat! Can, freeze, or give away excess)
5. Compost Yard Waste (we compost leaves and grass clippings in particular; both can provide great mulch and/or green matter for your garden. Some mowers and blowers come with mulching attachments)