“Ecologically sound land management, environmentally friendly landscaping” and “organic gardening” are just a few of the new buzz phrases in the green industry and for good reason. With the trend for a cleaner environment, and with spring ready to burst at the bud, now would be a great time to work more environmentally friendly garden practices into your property. Here area a few tips to get you started in the right direction.

Let’s start with the lawn. If possible, cut down the size of the lawn. For instance, if you’re mowing five acres break it down to two and turn the rest into a meadow. You’ll save money, gas and time and you will be doing your part in making your property more wild life friendly. When mowing, you should raise the height of the cut grass from two inches to four inches; it’s healthier for the lawn. This practice will shade out many broad leaf weeds and help the lawn tolerate dry, hot summers, which seem to be a trend. Stay away from synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that can pollute and cause adverse health effects.

Mulch your garden beds with a local composted leaf mold and bark mulch. This combination will add body to the soil. The slow decomposition will keep the plants healthy and the garden will not require heavy watering, fertilizing and keep weed at bay.

Use native plants over exotic plants. Native plants have adapted to out soil and climate. They require less care and maintenance are more deer resistant and wild-life friendly.

By adapting these environmentally friendly practices into your yard, you will help create a cleaner, healthier, more wild life friendly yard.

Pete Muroski

For more information about ecological gardening log onto the Native Landscapes Garden Center website at www.NativeLandscaping.net.

And tune in to hear "The Living Landscape" with Pete Muroski throughout the day on LIME Radio, Sirius Satellite channel 114. Thanks for visiting "The Living Landscape".