Climate change is a global phenomenon that is causing significant changes to our planet’s weather patterns and ecosystems. As a result, the way we live and the way we carry out certain parts of our day-to-day life will slowly change, including how we care for our lawns and gardens.
In this blog, we will explore the effects of climate change on lawns and what you can do to protect your property from these changes. We will also discuss the importance of understanding climate change and its role in shaping the future of landscaping.
Understanding Climate Change: A Threat To The World
We have all heard about this term and know that this change is not favorable for our environment, but what exactly is climate change?
Climate change refers to the long-term shift in global weather patterns that are caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. These gasses trap heat from the sun, causing the planet’s average temperature to rise. To put it in simpler terms, climate change is the shift in the average weather conditions of an area.
This warming trend, also referred to as global warming, is leading to various impacts on our planet, including rising sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns, and more frequent and intense heat waves, hurricanes, and other extreme weather events. Not only are these changes physical, but such climate consequences have also resulted in monetary loss.
Though not a new phenomenon, it has become increasingly apparent in recent decades that we focus on climate change. As responsible citizens and homeowners, we must ensure that we move toward a more sustainable future and reduce the effect of climate change.
Climate Change And Lawn Maintenance: What Should You Do?
Having a lush-green backyard where one can relax and spend time with family is a dream for many. Studies have found that residential lawns make up 40 million acres of land in the U.S., which is a lot! This is why talking about how lawns and lawn care practices are being affected in this changing world is crucial.
According to many lawn care experts, lawns and climate change are related to each other. Therefore, how you maintain your lawn and the type of grass and shrubs you have, also affect the environment and its resources.
Be Aware Your Lawn Can Harm The Environment
Lawn care, including mowing, watering, and the use of chemicals and fertilizers, can contribute to the increase in climate change in several ways.
First, traditional lawn care practices often require the use of gas-powered engines, such as lawn mowers or weed whackers, which release significant amounts of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
Second, the widespread use of fertilizers and chemicals on lawns can lead to increased nitrogen and phosphorus runoff when it rains, which can harm aquatic ecosystems and contribute to the release of greenhouse gasses from the soil.
Third, the excessive watering of lawns leads to increased water use, which contributes to climate change by increasing the energy needed to pump and treat water, exacerbating drought conditions in some regions.
Finally, mowing lawns too frequently can cause harm to the grass and disrupt its natural growth patterns, which disrupts the natural process of photosynthesis and its ability to retain carbon dioxide.
Adaptive Lawn Maintenance Is The Key
Adaptive Maintenance: Lawn owners may need to adapt their maintenance practices to accommodate changes in climate, such as using drought-resistant grass varieties, adjusting the timing and frequency of watering, and switching to sustainable landscaping practices.
By being aware of these impacts and changing lawn maintenance practices accordingly, property owners can help protect their lawns from the effects of climate change.
Prepare Your Lawn To Combat Climate Change
Lawns can play an essential role in combating climate change by serving as carbon sinks and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Here are a few ways you can use your lawn to help mitigate the effects of climate change:
Sustainable Practices:
Sustainable landscaping practices are a vital component of using your lawn to combat climate change. Incorporating sustainable landscaping practices, such as mulching, composting, and reducing pesticide use, can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water sources, and promote soil health. Below we have described each of these further.
Mulching:
Mulching is an effective practice that can help retain moisture in the soil, reduce the need for watering, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You can also use mulching lawnmowers to improve the quality of your lawn. These special lawnmowers work by using a special blade that chops the grass into fine pieces and returns it to the soil. This process helps to improve soil health and water retention, as the grass clippings act as a natural mulch, retaining moisture in the soil.
Composting:
Composting is an age-old lawn maintenance technique that still provides promising results. Composting yard waste and food scraps can help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, promote soil health, and can help lessen the use of excessive fertilizers.
Composting works by breaking down organic matter into a nutrient-rich soil additive that can be used to fertilize your lawn and garden.
Add More Trees To Your Backyard:
Most homeowners like to have a lawn with only tiny grass in the area as this gives a more clean, serene appearance. However, this can cause your beautiful lawn to contribute to climate change, so you should try to ensure that your lawn has trees and shrubs along with grass. Trees play a vital role in mitigating the effects of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and producing oxygen.
In addition to their benefit of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, trees also provide numerous environmental benefits, including reducing air pollution, improving water quality, and providing habitats for wildlife. In general, trees improve the appearance of your landscape and are a great addition to any lawn.
Choose The Right Plants:
When selecting trees to plant in your yard, it is essential to choose native species that are well-suited to your local climate and soil conditions. This will help ensure the trees thrive and provide the maximum environmental benefits. Also, choosing plants that attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, can help you in improving the diversity of your lawn.
Research the types of grasses and plants that suit your location, or talk with a professional lawn care services provider to know which kind of plants are suitable for your Tennessee home.
Water Your Lawn The Right Way:
To make sure your lawn is healthy, regular watering is necessary. Incorporating drought-resistant plants into your landscape can help reduce the need for watering, conserve water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You can also read our blog on how much to water your lawn for more information.
Use Electric Engines:
Using electric-powered machines instead of gas-powered ones is another way to reduce your lawn’s carbon footprint and promote sustainability. Electric engines are much more efficient than gas engines and produce zero emissions. Therefore, using electric leaf blowers or mowers will not pollute the air around you, making them a much more environmentally friendly option for lawn maintenance.
Additionally, electric engines are typically quieter and require less maintenance than gas engines, making them a more convenient option for many people. Some are hesitant to use equipment that runs on electricity since they feel it comes at a higher cost. However, in the long run, gas and electric equipment costs are more or less the same.
Don’t Mow Too Often:
Like watering, the frequency at which you mow your lawn also affects carbon dioxide production. Frequent mowing may keep the lawn looking neat, but decreases the ability of the grass to retain carbon dioxide. Frequent mowing may also harm the natural growth pattern of the grass, and lead to an increase in weeds.
Many experts now stress delaying the intervals in which you mow your lawn to avoid this. By allowing your grass to grow a little taller, you can reduce the frequency of mowing and help it develop a deep and healthy root system.
Conclusion
So, if you’re looking for ways to take action against climate change, start in your own backyard. Incorporate sustainable landscaping practices into your lawn maintenance routine and help create a healthier and more sustainable environment for future generations.
We encourage you to take action today and join the growing community of individuals and organizations working to combat climate change and create a healthier and more sustainable world. Every small step you take can make a big difference in the fight against climate change.
Best Lawn Care Services In Tennessee
Now that you know that lawns and climate change go hand in hand, and you want to improve the condition of your yard and have it looking the best on the block, then all you have to do is pick up the phone and contact the Jamison Pest and Lawn team.
We have offered Tennessee’s best lawn maintenance services for more than 77 years, and want to help you! We’ll help you keep your lawn green and healthy for longer, so you don’t have to worry about keeping your lawn maintained.
We offer the following services:
- Land Aeration Services
- Weed Removal Services
- Insect and Mosquito Control
Contact us today at (901) 452-1505 to know more.
