5 tips that support your lawn and the environment

(BPT) – You have a love for all things green; that’s why you take such pride in the care you show for your yard. While you want your yard to be beautiful, you also want to achieve your goals in an environmentally friendly way. You want to be green in the process of growing green.

You’re not alone.

More and more homeowners are looking for environmentally friendly yard care solutions. In fact, research from Husqvarna discovered 78 percent of respondents found the increased use of eco-friendly power equipment to be important in caring for their yard. It’s just one way you can support green initiatives in your lawn care this season. Here are five more ideas:

* Research biopesticides. Pesticides are a popular option to rid your yard of unwanted insects, but environmentally conscious homeowners are becoming increasingly concerned with what is left behind. Biopesticides solve this problem by granting the same solution as traditional, chemical pesticides, but through natural elements that control your insect problem rather than eradicating it with chemicals. Pheromone pesticides, for example, disrupt certain insects’ mating patterns, while microbial pesticides rely on microorganisms, rather than chemicals, to kill insects.

* Support sustainability without sacrificing power. Battery-powered yard tools have always been an environmentally friendly option, but many consumers felt they lacked the power necessary for a season of lawn care. New tools, like the Husqvarna 115iL trimmer, shatter this misconception. With a 13- to 14-inch cutting width and a 2-millimeter dual line, this trimmer is perfect for precisely trimming lawn edges or small areas of tough grass. It is also packed with the latest in battery technology, including a low-vibration, brushless motor and a rechargeable, Li-ion battery pack designed for reliable and long-lasting use.

* Start a compost pile. The hard work in your yard leads to waste, but disposing of it can be cheap and environmentally friendly when you build your own compost pile. Combine fallen leaves or dead flowers with grass clippings and a couple shovels full of garden soil in a 3-foot-by-3-foot enclosed space, and you have the foundation for a successful compost pile.

* Make the most of water’s availability. A nice rainstorm can save you from watering your lawn for the day but if you capture that water, you support your yard’s long-term irrigation needs while protecting the environment and your finances. Place plastic barrels beneath your drain spouts to catch rainwater as it runs off your roof. The barrels will then store this water, ensuring the next time you have to water, you’ll have a free, eco-friendly solution for your irrigation needs.

* Spread organic fertilizer. Like pesticides, fertilizers once required you to use harsh chemicals on your lawn to get a desired effect. However, like biopesticides, more environmentally friendly fertilizer options now exist. The market provides several organic fertilizers to choose from, and there are even recipes to make your own. So take a look around and find the option that appeals to you.

To learn more about how the tools from Husqvarna can help you maintain your lawn in an environmentally friendly way, visit Husqvarna.com and find an outdoor power equipment dealer near you.