Yard Ideas to fight climate change & save the environment
(Numbers indicate order in which each idea was added to website.)
In General
90 Consider an electric grille Read more
662 Ignite charcoal barbecues with an electric probe or other alternative to lighter fluid
1198 Use bamboo beer can holders
1243 Barbecue vegan
The Pool
122 Use a pool cover Read more
443 Install a new filter in your swimming pool Read more
444 Keep pool water temperature at 80 degrees
446 Install new energy saving pump for your pool
445 Use solar water heater for your pool Read more
447 Install a vinyl/foam cover to retain the heat in hot tub
745 Use pool pump timer and run your pump fewer hours
767 clean pump strainers and baskets
768 Avoid draining and refilling your pool
Water use
9 Harvest rain water for lawns and plants Read more
10 Replace lawn with less water using landscapes Read more
455 Reduce landscape watering schedule. Experts say that most yards are over-watered Read more
457 Plants grow slowly in the cooler weather. Reduce your watering schedule accordingly Read more
458 Turn off your automatic irrigation system when rain is predicted
460 Check sprinkler system on a regular basis to be sure it's giving you the right coverage.
461 Install a rain sensor device to override the irrigation timer of the sprinkler system
462 Use a "soaker" hose rather than a sprinkler, where possible Read more
463 Water in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid evaporation.
475 Stop using a hose to clean driveways and walkways wastes
477 Check all hoses, connectors, spigots for leaks. Install new hose washers when needed
588 Use permeable pavements and sidewalks Read more
693 Plant shrubbery that doesn’t need as much water Read more
753 Plant a rain garden Read more
840 Use watering can to water plants instead of hose Read more
1086 Follow your communities water usage restrictions
Garden and Grass
51 Grow a garden Read more
147 Use an electric lawn mower
148 Remove your weeds by hand
149 Use natural fertilizers Read more
150 Use natural weed killers Read more
151 Use metal watering cans
153 Use real stone or metal decorations in garden not plastic
162 Grow your own herbs Read more
337 Use wooden bird houses instead of plastic
366 Put up composting garden beds Read more And More
367 Build a greenhouse for year round growing
449 Use compost fertilizers in garden Read more And More
452 Plant native grasses and shrubs that do not require a lot of extra water Read more
454 Plant wildflowers in public areas to reduce mowing
465 Use electric garden equipment rather than gas powered
466 Buy a push mower for your lawn and you won't have to drive to the gym anymore
467 Use "hand" pruners and yard tools rather than gasoline or electric-powered ones.
468 Keep yard equipment sharp and use less fuel
469 Dull cutting edges fray grass blades increasing evaporation from the grass plants.
470 If you reduce fertilizing the lawn, you'll have to water less and cut the it less frequently Read more And More
471 Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches Read more
472 Leave lawn clippings after mowing to fertilize, use clippings for mulch Read more
473 Use a mulching lawn mower instead of bagging and carting off grass clippings.
474 Mulch planting beds to retain moisture and control weeds that compete for water.
476 Sweep the sidewalks and driveway instead of using a noisy, polluting, blower
478 Plant native plants that are adapted to your area.
480 Choose the small solar powered lights for your landscape lighting.
576 Choose a locally adaptable grass to grow
577 Replace grass with pathways in high traffic areas
578 Allow your grass to go dormant if necessary Read more
586 Create garden mini insectary Read more
649 Use recycled wood chips as mulch in the yard Read more
652 Create wildlife habitat in your yard Read more
653 Plant marigolds as a natural pesticide Read more
664 Never dump anything down a storm drain.
665 Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly
673 Soil test before you fertilize Read more And More
685 Start an urban garden Read more
691 Buy metal and bamboo patio furniture
692 Use deck materials made from recycled plastics Read more
695 Buy your own hive: without bees the planet would last for only 60 years Read more
943 Consider using elements of "foodscaping" instead of landscaping Read more
973 Raise chickens for their eggs Read more
983 Can your garden foods
1093 Get to know your property and the creatures that live there
1170 Use vinegar, salt and dish washing liquid to kill those weeds Read More
1231 DIY Use Neem or garlic spray as natural insecticide
1232 Use companion planting for pest control
1244 Use pvc towers in small garden spaces Read More
Trees and Shrubbery
54 Plant a tree or two Read more
450 Plant evergreen trees to protect your home from the chilling winter winds.
451 Plant deciduous shade trees to shade house in summer and heat in the winter
1135 Build downspout planter box