Are you tired of watering, fertilizing, and mowing a lawn that you don’t use? Do you suspect that the chemicals used to kill weeds and bugs might be slowly making you sick? 

I started to change my gardening habits a few years ago when I asked myself these questions, and here is what I did:

How I Reduced My Landscape’s Water Consumption

1> Using rain barrels

When I left a soaker hose on all night I realized that water from the city’s water supply is way too expensive to use for gardens.  The solution was to place rain barrels beneath some of our downspouts to provide water throughout the season.  Commercial rain barrels provide two spigots—one for filling a watering can and one to which you can attach a hose.

Rain barrels can be as much as $100, so a cheaper way to do this is to place a large, nonmetal trash can under the downspout, and dip a bucket or watering can to retrieve the water. 

2> Mulching

Placing two to three inches of mulch around your plants is an effective way to prevent moisture from evaporating.  Be careful about using dyed mulches, though. While some mulches contain natural dyes, others may use sprayed-on colorants full of toxins that are bad for pets, kids, and beneficial microbes in the soil.

Using shredded leaves as mulch in the fall solves two problems—providing free mulch for our plants and getting the leaves off our lawns.  It also provides overwintering habitat for butterflies and other beneficial insects.

3> Planting natives

Native plants and grasses are great low-water-use plants because they’ve adapted to the soil in which they grow, and their deep root systems are capable of storing water from rainfall.

Without having to do any special planting, I have allowed certain “weeds”, like clover and violets, to grow in my lawn because they don’t brown in the dry months, staying green and healthy throughout the summer.

How I Learned to Control Weeds without Chemicals

Chemical weed-killers offer instant results without much work, but they have a huge list of drawbacks. They’re expensive, harmful to other plants, pets and children, and most of all, they can leach into our water. When you use an herbicide and it rains soon after, all those chemicals end up in storm drains heading straight out into natural water supplies.

1> Making my own weed-killer

The following is a well-regarded recipe for killing weeds without chemicals. Eliminate the salt if there are nearby plants or you want to replant in the area since it can affect the soil and make it difficult to grow things in the future.

1 Gallon White Vinegar

1 Tablespoon Liquid Dish Soap or Vegetable Oil

1 Cup Salt (only if you don’t want to replant in the same area)

2> Pulling weeds

Gardening experts agree that pulling weeds by hand is the best way to get rid of a weed for good. It’s tedious and often overwhelming, but if you have other plants in the vicinity, it is the only safe way to remove the weeds without hurting desirable plants, including grass.

3> Growing a taller lawn

For lawn weeds, one of the best ways to control them is to let your lawn grow as tall as your mower will allow. This allows the taller plants to shade the soil and prevent weed seeds from germinating. They will also grow longer roots and a thicker top, crowding out new weeds.

4> Preventing weeds

After removing weeds, cover the area with mulch 2-3 inches deep to prevent weed seeds from germinating.  See the cautions above regarding dyed mulches.

For cracks in sidewalks or driveways, remove the weeds, then pour cornmeal into the crack to prevent weeds from growing.

5> Growing a ground cover

Instead of grass, consider growing a walkable ground cover like clover, or a mix of plants that are stronger than grass in keeping out the weeds.  The added benefits are less watering and mowing.

How I Stopped Using Synthetic Fertilizers

Vast amounts of fertilizers are applied to lawns. Excess phosphorus and nitrogen (the main components of fertilizers) run off into lakes and rivers causing excess algae growth. This depletes oxygen in our waters, harms aquatic life, and interferes with recreational uses.

1> Planting natives

The best way to grow healthy plants is to plant native species that are naturally suited to the environment in which you live. 

Native plants that are grown in pots may need feeding since nutrients leak out when they’re watered, but a healthy sprinkling of worm castings every month will do the trick.

2> Using natural soil amendments

Compost, grass clippings, fallen leaves, coffee grounds, and eggshells can all be used to enhance the soil without having to run out to the garden store.

When an extra boost of mineral nutrition is needed, natural fertilizers and blends are readily available.  Single-ingredient fertilizers such as bone meal, cottonseed meal, or alfalfa meal, target specific nutrient deficiencies.  Fertilizer blends combine plant, animal, and mineral sources to create a complete fertilizer.

How I got rid of bugs without toxic chemicals

1> Using mosquito dunks instead of toxic spray

For years we had a pest control company come out to the house several times during the summer to spray for mosquitoes without thinking twice.  Then I started to wonder if spraying for mosquitoes was depleting the pollinator population. 

The company assured me that they were spraying into the woods away from my gardens, but also told me to keep the kids and pets indoors while they were spraying.  Did they tell the butterflies to take cover?  If a mosquito spray kills mosquitoes, it’s going to kill beneficial insects along with it. 

We ended the relationship with the company and I have noticed more birds around the bird feeders and more flowers blooming than we have had in years past.

Mosquito dunks are a great solution.  Drop them into standing water and they kill just the mosquito larvae and not anything else. 

2> Growing insect-repelling plants

Many plants repel mosquitos and ticks with their strong aroma—lavender, basil, catnip, and lemongrass to name a few.  Plant these strategically around your house to keep mosquitoes and ticks at bay.

3> Using a natural repellent

Use the liniments and essential oils extracted from the plants listed above in a spray for your body and clothes.  My Bug Off spray is an example of one such repellent.

4> Spraying bugs off with water

For some bugs the solution is as simple as a strong spray of water from the hose. Keep in mind that any method used to get rid of pests will affect the beneficial insects that feed on them.  Do a little research on your particular pest problem before taking action.

5> Making homemade insecticide

Although you will want to look up the best natural insecticide for your particular plant, the following is a good general insecticidal soap:

1. Combine one cup of vegetable oil of any variety with one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid or other “pure” soap.  Be sure to avoid any dish washing liquids which contain degreaser, bleach, or those that are for an automatic dishwasher.

2. Mix two teaspoons of this “soap” mixture to every cup of warm water and put into a spray bottle. Mix only what is needed for a one-day application.

How I Stopped Mowing

Cutting grass burns lots of fossil fuel, causes a good percentage of the world’s air pollution, is noisy, and deprives pollinators of an important food source. It is said that one gas-powered lawnmower emits 11 times the air pollution of a new car.

1> Using an electric mower

Although this is not a method to stop mowing, it does improve the air quality.

2> Planting clover

Clover stays a healthy green color even in dry-ish conditions, and is soft underfoot.  We play croquet regularly and the clover provides a more enjoyable experience than grass.  Also, the flowers smell lovely and attract pollinators.

3> Planting a ground cover

If you don’t plan to walk or play on the lawn, a ground cover is a good solution that does not have to be mowed.  Be sure to plant a native species that will not require watering after it is established.

4> Planning a landscape

Landscaping your lawn with native, low-maintenance flowers and ornamental grasses can be a lot of fun. You can add special features like garden sculptures, arbors, and benches.

5> Planting a wildflower meadow

For a large lawn in the country, plant a meadow with native grasses and wildflowers.

6> Letting it go wild

I was prompted to let my lawn go natural when I started using herbs for my remedies—dandelions, clover, plantain, dead nettle, and anything else that grows naturally in my lawn are potentially used in my remedies.

I felt self-conscious, however, among my neighbors’ manicured lawns, so I put a sign on my lawn announcing my “natural landscape” so that passers-by wouldn’t think that I was neglectful. 

The only problem I have encountered is with dandelions. When they go to seed, there are bare stems sticking up all over the lawn which is unattractive, even to my eyes.  I have learned to pick off the flower heads as soon as they appear to avoid this problem.

I wish you good luck in creating a healthy outdoor space that helps you to experience peace and joy.  For more information, see the websites below.

Further reading:

“9 of the Worst Mulching Mistakes That Are Easy to Avoid” https://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/mulch/mulching-mistakes-to-avoid/

“EPA Watersense What to Plant”

https://www.epa.gov/watersense/what-plant

“How to Make Natural and Safe Homemade Weed Killer”

https://www.thegardenglove.com/how-to-make-safe-homemade-weed-killer/

“8 Best Homemade Garden Fertilizers”

https://www.farmersalmanac.com/8-homemade-garden-fertilizers-24258

“Natural Fertilizer Choices for the Garden”

https://savvygardening.com/natural-fertilizer/

“8 Common Garden Pests to Watch for and How to Get Rid of Them”

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/pests/insects-diseases-weeds/garden-pest-control/