We all know that planting native plants, reducing chemical use and replacing turfgrass are the best ways to help protect and restore biodiversity and nurture wildlife on our properties. Here are a few more steps you can take in your yard to help the natural world. Your yard can make a difference!
Reduce landscape lighting as much as possible. Artificial light has many negative effects on wildlife. Other than enriching landscape companies, there is really no reason to light up a tree. See: Garden lighting: effects on wildlife and DarkSky.org for detailed information.
Don’t use landscape fabric. It can lead to soil compaction, which prevents air, water, and nutrients from reaching plant roots effectively. It often contains petroleum and other chemicals and is not biodegradable. And this is just the beginning! For more reasons to avoid weed fabric and for alternatives see: The disadvantages of landscape fabric from the Illinois Extension.
Don’t water grass. For the most part, lawn watering is unnecessary in Wisconsin. In times of drought the grass does not die – it goes dormant. If you absolutely must irrigate follow the best practices in Watering Your Lawn from the UW Extension.
Replace gas powered yard equipment. Garden equipment engines produce up to 5% of the nation’s air pollution. Add the over 17 million gallons of spilled gasoline and noise pollution, and you’ll see why states and communities are banning them. See: Lawn Maintenance And Climate Change.