Grass clippings are a common byproduct of lawn maintenance, but did you know they have several surprising uses? Instead of tossing them in the trash, consider giving those clippings a new purpose, and use them to benefit your plants, garden, and more.
About 25% of Texas’ water supply in urban areas is used for landscaping. Most of the water is used to maintain plants with high water demands, such as turf grass and exotic plants. Proper landscape design can conserve thousands of gallons of water every year. Xeriscaping is a landscaping style designed to need little to no irrigation or maintenance and is often used in arid regions, like Texas. Water conservation practices like this will become necessary as droughts become more frequent and rainfall becomes scarce.
Rainwater harvesting is a great way to help the environment and reduce your dependency on municipal water sources. Dry, hot summers and light winter rains have caused some Texas cities to enact water restrictions in hopes of preserving this precious resource. Luckily, Texas encourages residents to harvest rainwater to reduce the burden drought conditions cause Texas’ already limited water supply.
Embark on a sustainable gardening journey by using recyclable materials as the building blocks for your next garden. Using things like plastic bottles, cardboard, and newspaper as seedling cups can provide an easy and inexpensive way to begin. By repurposing items that would otherwise end up in landfills, we can reduce waste and contribute to a healthier planet.
Many of us know that we depend on bees for making honey and beeswax, but did you know that bees are also responsible for pollinating one-third of our food? Unfortunately, Texas’ bee population has been declining in recent years. Luckily, there are actions every Texan can take to help ensure the resiliency of native bee populations.
Composting is a way to recycle organic waste generated at home and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that food waste makes up about 28% of what we throw away. You can divert some food waste by composting it instead. Compost can be used to fertilize your plants, prevent soil erosion, conserve water, and build healthier soil.
School gardens offer students multiple advantages while also introducing them to deeper environmental ideas and concerns. Gardening develops new skills including responsibility, understanding, and self-confidence. Studies show that children who garden have better science and math skills, and even score higher on standardized tests.
The school garden offers a place to enrich teaching efforts, project-based learning opportunities, and exciting hands-on experiences that make learning come alive!
Looking to make your home more energy efficient? Planting native trees is a great solution.
Native plant gardens—gardens created with wildlife indigenous to a specific region—are a great way to be more environmentally friendly. These gardens beautify the landscape while using less water and fewer pesticides. You can rebuild local ecosystems and habitats right in your yard! Here’s a guide on how to create a native plant garden of your own.
Five easy ways to help pollinators in Texas.
