How to Green your own Lawn and Garden and Save Money at the Same Time.

HOW TO “GREEN” YOUR LAWN AND GARDEN IN TEN EASY STEPS

  1)       Plant Spruce trees, Pines, and other evergreens ten to fifteen feet north and northwest of your home to slow cold winds and preserve warmth in the winter.

2)      Plant larger deciduous trees to the south and southwest of your home in order to provide shade and cooler temperatures in the summer months.

3)      Planting fruit and nut trees can provide apples, cherries, pears, and other food for you and your family as well as for wildlife.  Many trees provide flowers and seeds that benefit bees and birds as well.

4)      Having less standard type lawn coverage can mean less mowing, less watering, less fertilizer and less weeding.  Ivies and other ground cover are more attractive and need far less maintenance.  

5)      Plant native species, which grow naturally in Michigan.  They will require less care, less water, and less fertilizer that exotic or foreign plants. 

6)      Be sure your downspouts and driveways drain into your yard and garden.  This rain is free water and not only nourishes your plantings, but lowers cost for your sewers and drainage.

7)      Resist using weed killers and lawn fertilizers.  Longer grass can help keep weeds in check and you can leave some weeds as naturally occurring or dig them by hand.  Leaving grass clippings and some leaves on the lawn will also nourish the grass.  Fertilizer can end up polluting our rivers and lakes, causing algae blooms and damaged water habitat.     

8)      Resist using pesticides, which can poison animals, pets, and beneficial insects.  Try using natural methods to control undesirable insects.  Not allowing open standing water or swampy areas can reduce mosquitoes.  Covering trash cans and picking up pet droppings will reduce flies and some bees.

9)        Keep leaves, grass clippings, and other organic waste on your property, using them as mulch or in a compost pile.  You can also add eggshells, coffee grounds, peelings,  and other  organic kitchen  waste in your garden or compost.  Do not include meat, fat, or animal waste in your composting.

10)  Do not automate watering or over water.  Let nature water your yard with rain and snow.  Let the natural drying out in August and  September occur and only water your garden sparingly in the mid-morning or early evening.

Plant some blackberry and raspberry bushes along with sides or back of your yard.  Then enjoy picking your own breakfast during berry season.

 Easy to grow annual and perennial plants in Michigan to provide food and fun around the seasons:

 Kale                             Asparagus

Cherries                      Apples

Pears                           Blackberries

Raspberries                 Mulberries

Spearmint                   Catnip

Hazelnuts                    Chives

Onions                         herbs

Tomatoes                    Potatoes

peppers