Eco-conscious living is about introducing changes to your routine that add up over time, producing better outcomes for the local eco-system.
At Coastline Mowers, we understand wanting to balance the art of a beautiful lawn with awareness and respect for the environment.
Adopting a more sustainable lawn care regimen doesn’t have to be drastic or expensive. Incremental adjustments can prove effective.
When taking care of your lawn, consider each step, evaluate more sustainable options, and make a conscious effort to change old habits.
Select your lawn
As leading experts in Perth mowers, we know a low-maintenance lawn makes life easier. The type of grass you grow impacts your routine.
In the market for new lawn? Avoid types sensitive to local pests or with excessive hydration needs. Consider grass suited to heated climes.
Certain Buffalo, Kikuyu or Couch types might appeal. These popular choices in Western Australia have a solid record with local lawn enthusiasts.
Prioritise soil health
When lawn is flourishing, less treatments equal less pollutants. The healthiest lawns have deep roots, making healthy soil important.
Begin with a soil testing kit. The ideal range is 5-7. If soil is too alkaline, or too acidic, rebalancing the level should be your step.
Rethink chemical applications
When selecting a lawn fertiliser, a quick online search should reveal the potential short- and long-term environmental impact.
Tried an organic fertiliser yet? Eco-conscious lawn care has made environmentally conscious fertilisers more accessible.
Whatever your fertiliser of choice, autumn and winter are peak application seasons, offering prime benefits for lawn health.
Learn how to compost
Want to explore composting for your lawn, but unsure where to start? The good news is, your local council likely offers information online.
The City of Rockingham has a Compost at Home page that includes answers to common questions and details of relevant workshops.
In terms of mulch, fallen leaves in cooler months and a light layer of grass clippings left post-mowing are easy sustainable lawn care steps.
Read about IPM
Have you heard of IPM? Integrated Pest Management is a form of pest management that aims to reduce the use of pesticides.
Focusing on eco-system balance, IPM is employed in farming to protect crops and local environs but can also be used for lawn care.
IPM is a multi-layered process worth researching. For lawn care, you can keep to a simple routine or take a more intensive approach.
Decide on pest management
If do you choose integrated management, the ability to identify potential pests and monitor their progress yourself is key to IPM.
Explore safe ways to prevent or manage pest incursions. A bird feeder is a simple addition. If pests do appear, remove them by hand first.
Try eco-conscious deterrents before resorting to chemical usage. Where possible, select pesticides least likely to harm the environment.
Of course, prevention is best. Maintaining a healthy lawn will increase pest resistance, and hopefully help you avoid dealing with an infestation.
Mow with care
While mowing benefits lawn health, make sure your routine minimises the risk of damage to grass. Stick to mowing when the lawn is dry.
Keep mower blades sharp. Adjust mower height to cut at the recommended level for your lawn type so you can avoid overcutting.
Mowing once or twice a month is standard for West Australian winters. Increasing to weekly mowing is common in warmer seasons.
Choose a quality mower
Depending on lawn size, browsing walker mowers over other mower types could help reduce your lawn care carbon footprint.
Our friendly Coastline Mowers team are happy to talk tech with you and pinpoint the perfect model for your needs and budget.
Embrace eco-conscious water usage
Summer watering calls for avoiding the heat of the day so water doesn’t evaporate. Winter is more about accounting for natural conditions.
Whatever the season, avoid shallow watering. Water your lawn less often and more intensively, as this helps strengthen the root system.
During cooler months, factor in rain water when hydrating your lawn. Seasonal adjustments ensure grass remains effectively hydrated.
Monitor your overall water usage. Avoid soaking brickwork, and check equipment like hoses and sprinklers for wear and leakages.
Update your watering system
After confirming how much water your grass type needs, research the wide variety of eco-conscious ways you can water your lawn.
Consider the pros and cons of a drip irrigation system for improved water conservation. Perhaps rain water or bore water usage is viable?
Smart irrigation technology is increasingly popular. Smart controllers combine sensor feed and weather data to adjust watering system settings.
Remember general care
With sustained lawn health reducing the need for chemical care, steps like aeration and overseeding are important.
Compacted soil can be detrimental to lawn health. Manually aerate your lawn, allowing water and nutrients to reach roots more easily.
Thicken existing lawn with well-planned overseeding. Read up on techniques that help promote success for your seeding project.
Tips to keep in mind: select new seeds that complement your lawn type, confirm the best ways to prep grass, and overseed in autumn if you can.
Factor in your garden
Ideally, sustainable gardening extends beyond your lawn. Surround your well-kept grass with landscaping that embraces native plants.
Native shrubbery that survives on less water is easier to care for and attractive to fauna in the area, offering local eco-system support.
Become informed
Australia has a thriving gardening community. From online advice to workshops, sustainable gardening tips are easy to find.
Find out when gardening experts are scheduled to appear on local radio. You might find yourself calling in with a lawn care question.
Keep up with news of pest outbreaks in the state. Stay informed as to seasonal changes around water usage to avoid the risk of a fine.
The lawn care lowdown
Have questions about maintaining or upgrading your mower? Need garden equipment? Want to discuss all things lawn care?
As expert providers of lawn mowers in Perth, our team is here to help. Drop by our Rockingham showroom or reach out today.
