Tired of cutting AND picking up the clippings! Why not instead leave your grass clippings on the lawn for a healthier, greener lawn that's more resistant to disease. It's a natural way to fertilize without chemicals and it's much easier than bagging and hauling and saves you money!

Lawns are healthiest when mowed at 2&1/2" to 3" high with clippings left on the lawn. Mow about every 5 days. No more than 1/3 of the grass blade should be cut. Mulching mowers cut the grass into small pieces which break down easily. You can retrofit regular mowers with a mulching kit or any mower can work if grass is cut frequently. Fewer pesticides mean more worms and friendly insects can eat more dead stems and roots which would otherwise lead to thatch.

Composting is an inexpensive and easy way to turn yard and food waste into a resource. Simply make a pile or put the following "recipe" in a bin. The ingredients invite guests like worms, beetles and fungus to create rich organic matter. This organic product improves the soil without chemical fertilizers. Compost breaks up greasy soils, adds nutrient and water holding capacity. Composting can be a fun family project. The following is a recipe for compost:

3X3X3 box or area to hold heat efficiently
2 Parts Brown (dried leaves, straw)
1 part green (grass clippings, weeds, fruit and vegetable waste)
Chop materials into small pieces to speed breakdown
Your compost should be moist like an wrung-out sponge
Your compost should look like soil when it is done
For faster composting should be "stirred" after it reaches 140F and should smell earthy

Xeriscape means grouping plants with similar water needs together, seek out turf alternatives such as patios decks, mulches, locate grass or turf only where it provides functional use, add compost and use native plants, and water less often but thoroughly to encourage deep root growth. You can also terrace slopes to prevent water runoff.

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