By 
May 25, 2021
Every summer, there are so many fun things to do and see in Huntsville.
Even if mowing your grass doesn’t make the list, Green Team has some tips to help you have a healthier and greener lawn.
Maintaining a lawn takes a lot of work. City of Huntsville Landscape Management Superintendent Tony Ivey suggests these best practices to help you keep more money in your pocket while being environmentally conscious.
- Mulch your grass. When you let your grass clippings lie on the lawn after cutting, sometimes called “grass-cycling,” it saves you both time and money. There is no need to bag clippings or spend money on yard waste bags. Grass-cycling helps cover your lawn’s fertilizer needs, as well, and keeps your lawn healthier overall. Additionally, City ordinances state that grass clippings may not be blown into curbs, gutters or down storm drains.
- Don’t overwater. Ivey recommends not watering your lawn more than twice a week. The best time of day to water is the morning, as night watering promotes fungi and water will evaporate more rapidly in the afternoon heat.
- Keep it healthy. “Only cut up to one-third of the leaf blade at a time for a healthy lawn,” Ivey said. “It’s not about the timing between mowing cycles. It’s more about keeping your grass type at the proper height and not scalping it too short.” Grass that’s consistently cut too short can have a poorly developed root system and be more susceptible to serious damage from drought or extreme temperatures. Check out the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s recommended growing heights for lawn turf grasses here. Cutting your lawn in a different direction each time is also a good idea because it avoids compacting soil.
- Remove chemicals. If you’re shopping for pesticides or herbicides for your lawn, choose more environmentally friendly options by reading the labels carefully. It’s also important to properly dispose of any chemicals according to the label. Be sure not to pour any lawn chemicals down sewers or drains. If you have extra lawn chemicals, the Solid Waste Disposal Authority’s Household Hazardous Waste Handle with Care Collection Center is open weekdays from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Think green. If you’re in the market for a new mower, consider battery-powered models for a gas- and fume-free experience. You can also look into rechargeable autonomous robot lawnmowers for maximum time-saving!
Taking care of our environment starts in your own yard. Thanks for helping keep Huntsville beautiful all year long!
To contact Green Team or for more information about its initiatives, click here.
