Resilient Communities, Sustainable Yards
Your yard is connected to a neighborhood, a community, a region, an ecosystem. Sustainably managing your property and regenerating habitat can be done with simple changes. Decisions about mowing, fertilizing, handling autumn leaves, pavers, and plant selection can have a huge impact on wildlife, human health, water, and air quality. Your healthy yard can contribute, ultimately, to a healthier world. It may be the most impactful way you can protect the environment.
Sponsored by New Leaf Ecolandscapes
What About “No Mow May”
Everyone is talking about “No Mow May.” Here is what our experts have to say with some wise and worthy responses from their readers. What do you think??
Shrink the Lawn
A perfect lawn is not so perfect for wildlife, try to shrink the lawn and diversify with different species.
Check out the sheet mulch method to help shrink the overall amount of lawn and read more about permaculture.
2024 Capital Region Flower & Garden Expo display!
Resist Early Spring “Clean Up”
Enjoy this presentation by local gardener Martie!
Maintenance
Avoid harmful chemicals and go pesticide-free, then post a sign to let your neighbors know.
This fall skip the dangerous leaf blowers which harm habitats and leave the leaves.
Trim your grass and your emissions!
Help the fireflies, migrating birds, and other wildlife by learning more about turning off or replacing lights to protect our dark sky.
Organizations
Great resources related to sustainable yard practices!
Xerces Society
Dark Sky Association
Recommended Reading
Darke, Rick and Tallamy, Dr. Douglas, The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden
Lawson, Nancy, The Humane Gardener
Leopold, Donald J., Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening & Conservation
Lorimer, Uli, The Northeast Native Plant Primer
McGrath, Anne, Wildflowers of the Adirondacks
Mizejewski, David, Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife, Expanded Second Edition (Creative Homeowner) 17 Projects & Step-by-Step Instructions to Give Back to Nature (National Wildlife Federation)
Tallamy, Dr. Douglas, Bringing Nature Home
Tallamy, Dr. Douglas, Nature’s Best Hope
Tallamy, Dr. Douglas, The Nature of Oaks
Sousa, Elle, The Green Garden
Stein, Sara, Noah’s Garden: Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Back Yards
Wormser, Owen Lawns Into Meadows