Imagine that instead of flowing into the sewer system, water discharged by your bathtub, dishwasher, kitchen sink and washing machine was pumped instead into your landscape. The systems that perform this task are called greywater systems (also spelled graywater, grey water and gray water). They sound eco-friendly and resource-conserving, and they […]
Always water early in the morning That’s the first piece of advice that comes to mind from Lorence R. Oki, who earned a doctoral degree in ecology through the University of California, Davis. He also holds degrees in plant sciences and ornamental horticulture. His specialty is water management — namely, […]
A beautiful lawn that could be certified organic, and is pest-free. Is it possible? Anyone calling their lawn “organic” will need organic means to repel lawn pests. That means synthetic chemical pesticides are out, due to their negative effects on wildlife and water quality. Folklore Pesticide Recipes: Organic, but Unproven If mainstream […]
Is there anything more damaging (or, in some peoples’ eyes, revolting) than grubs in your lawn? Few admire their looks. But, before dismissing them as nothing but gross menaces, grubs — the larval stage of certain adult beetles — are common in lawns and do play a role in the natural […]
It’s the key to great salad dressings, pickles, even marinades. But in terms of being the best homemade organic herbicide out there (with dozens of articles detailing how to make and use it online), vinegar as a homemade weed killer could be a less than an amazing choice — and better off staying […]
It won’t harm your lawn to introduce it to some new friends once in a while. When we say friends, we mean companion plants. If you’re a vegetable gardener, landscaper or fan of permaculture, you’ve probably heard about these advantageous plant pairings. Others, including those who are strictly lawn lovers, […]
Clover hasn’t always been the bane of every lawn lover’s existence. Sure, ripping it out (or spraying it) as soon as it creeps into your perfectly manicured turf might be a good way to fit into your neighborhood nowadays. But this lawn care tidbit could surprise you: Several decades ago, killing clover […]