Eco-Friendly Top Turfing Tips
No matter the size of your garden or level of experience, “we all have a footprint, however small” and, with eco-friendly trends like No Mow May and Prairie Planting on the rise, it’s clear that sustainability is becoming more of a priority in our everyday lives. Therefore, it’s important to assess where you can take steps to improve your garden’s ecosystem.
If you want a beautiful and environmentally friendly green space, just follow Online Turf’s tips for a lawn that’s lush, green and thriving at no extra cost to the environment.
Watering
Conservation of water is key in maintaining an eco-friendly lawn. No matter the season, there’s ways to ensure your turf is getting just the right amount of water- not a drop more or a drop less than it needs.
By regularly monitoring your moisture levels, both in the soil and from the appearance of the turf, you can tailor your watering to your plant’s needs. We also recommend watering in the morning and at night, to ensure the moisture is soaked up before any sun is overhead, lowering the evaporation rate.
Rather than using tap water, you can also use natural resources to irrigate your turf. Investing in a Water Butt means that rainwater is collected over time and reduces water waste. Rainwater is also a completely natural resource and doesn’t contain the same amount of minerals, salts and chemicals as tap water, meaning it’s better for your plants, too.
Pests
Natural pest control methods are a great alternative to chemical-based, synthetic pesticides, which can harm natural garden wildlife like butterflies, bees etc.
Instead, opt for an eco-friendly alternative, by using predator insects (ladybugs, lacewings) for a maintenance free pest control. You can attract these to your garden by planting beneficial insect-friendly plants, like nettles, buckwheat or any of the below.
You can also use nematodes, which will attack soil-borne insects with no harmful effects on humans, plants, or animals.
If you want to prevent the problem before it’s even begun, organic pest deterrents like garlic spray, citronella/neem oil and insecticidal soap are a great, eco-friendly way to pre-emptively tackle any pests.
Repurposing
If you’ve got any old or spare turf you haven’t used, composting is a great eco-friendly way to dispose of garden waste.
You can stack all your unused turf into a corner of the garden and, with time, it will eventually compost down. You can also add a mixture of kitchen scraps, leaves and plant trimmings to help make a nutrient-rich compost that enhances soil fertility, moisture and strength.
Investing in a Compost Bin ensures that this is a method that you can reuse many times, and keeps the waste stored away neatly. To get a high-quality compost, it’s important to include the correct mix of ‘Green’ and ‘Brown’ waste, so that the microorganisms that break down the mix have the right conditions needed to work optimally.
This compost is then perfect for growing flowers, vegetables or spreading across your lawn to aid new growth.
Longevity
Choosing a hard-wearing, durable Turf is key in cultivating a sustainable garden. Resilient grass types are more likely to withstand heavy foot traffic and pet activity without being damaged, reducing the need for replanting.
Our ‘Rye Gold’ Turf is our hardest-wearing and recommended for “less-than-ideal conditions”.
The more adaptable the turf, the less maintenance it requires.
Higher durability also allows for deeper root systems, meaning the grass can efficiently access water stored in the soil, reducing the amount of irrigation needed and conserving water.
