Forget the Nay-Sayers: A Well-Manicured Lawn Is Environmentally Friendly

Lawns have gotten a bad rap these days.  They have become one of the many symbols of wasteful consumption of Western society.  Or suburbia if you’re an anti-conformist.  And to the green movement, lawns represent all of the polluting chemicals we spray with zeal. 

However, before you blacklist your lawn and have it dug up in favour of a garden landscape, take the time to consider the defense of lawns.  Like trees or flowers, grass undergoes photosynthesis, produces oxygen, and filters carbon dioxide out of the air.  Your lawn is a living organism that helps the environment; it doesn’t hurt it.  Here’s why you should reconsider nixing your well-manicured lawn.

Rooting for the Cause
According to The Globe and Mail, one average sized lawn is as beneficial to the air as two full-grown maple trees.  Not only that, but the amounts of oxygen this average sized lawn produces is enough for a family of four.

You can thank the root system for the efficient air filtration.  They allow grass to absorb and hold carbon (perhaps as much as its equivalent in a forested area).  In addition, grass’s filtration effects extend to water as well.  Its root system absorbs water and cleans it.  And it is six times more effective at absorbing water than a wheat field.  After the water has been absorbed, it is released by the grass blades, causing your lawn to be 7 degrees cooler than bare ground and 18 degrees cooler than asphalt. 

So what can you do to encourage your lawn to develop this strong root system?  It’s easy:  installing a Burlington inground sprinkler system.  By watering your lawn less often, but giving it a thorough watering, you’ll help the roots develop deeper into the soil, and thus be stronger overall. 

What Chemicals?
It’s a well-known fact that pesticides and herbicides have been banned in Ontario.  As such, it’s illegal to coat your lawn in harmful substances.  There are, however, organic alternatives that are perfectly fine to put on your lawn.

As for fertilizer?  It’s primarily made up of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.  All of those chemicals are found in the environment and will not poison the water from your Burlington inground sprinkler system. 

Water: Waste Not, Want Not with a Burlington Inground Sprinkler System
Irrigation is often written off as a waste of water.  However, that’s only the case if you water your lawn very frequently or do a poor job of timing the watering.  By watering your lawn, it filters into the groundwater and flows into rivers and lakes, so you’re actually helping to keep our fresh water well…fresh

But how do you ensure that the water you give the lawn is put to the best use?  Our website is full of various tips and tricks on keeping your lawn hydrated, but it basically boils down to these things:

  • When you water, aim to soak 6 inches deep into the lawn.
  • Water in the morning.  If you water in the afternoon, the heat will cause the water to evaporate before it can soak in.  If you water at night, it’ll soak in for too long and your lawn will be a breeding ground for fungi and diseases. 
  • Invest in an intelligent Burlington inground sprinkler system.  What do we mean by intelligent?  We mean a system that can sense the level of water in the ground and will adjust its watering schedule accordingly. 

To get started on your Burlington inground sprinkler system for spring, request a consultation today!