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May 2008
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Create an ocean-friendly lawn and garden
Truly "green" lawns help us have a healthy "blue" backyard. We all live in a watershed, with streams and rivers that eventually flow to the ocean. What you put on your lawn or garden can wash into local waterways and water supplies. In many communities, yard fertilizers and pesticides do more to contaminate water than agricultural runoff. Take the initiative to go green in your garden and protect our blue backyard – the ocean!
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Three for me...
 Make your lawn children-friendly. Chemicals used on lawns and gardens can harm pets and are also poisonous to children, as well as downstream ocean creatures. More than 70 million pounds of toxic lawn pesticides are applied annually in the U.S. alone, and much ends up as runoff when heavy rains or excessive watering carries them into streets, storm drains and the water supply. Take advantage of non-toxic options for controlling lawn and garden pests.
- Green your lawn, save some green. Beautify your home and yard by adding flower boxes and planting a mini organic herb and vegetable garden in your backyard or in pots. Not only will you enjoy your favorite fresh seasonings and veggies, you'll also take a little carbon out of the air, as well as save money at the grocery store and on getting there. Herb and vegetable gardens are also great projects to do with kids!
- Plant wisely. Landscaping your yard can be an act of ocean conservation, wildlife protection, and energy savings. You can save energy with energy efficient landscaping such as evergreen trees on the north side and deciduous (leafy) trees on the south side of your home to block winter winds and summer sun.
Using low maintenance native plants that are adapted to your local environment and don’t need much watering or pesticides, saves you time and money. Native plant species are also best for your region’s native animals, including butterflies and birds, providing a much needed refuge and food source.
...and three for the seas
- Create a truly "green" lawn. If you have a grassy lawn, you can help protect the ocean by using your grass clippings as yard mulch instead of applying fertilizers. If your lawn still needs some extra TLC, fertilize only once a year, whenever heavy rains are less likely to occur, to maximize your fertilizer and prevent excess nutrient runoff from polluting your local waterways and, eventually, the ocean.
Before fertilizing it's always wise to learn a little about your soil and test your soil’s nutrient levels to determine how much extra nutrients it'll need, if any at all. Organic fertilizer is now widely available, and is safer for your health and the ocean's.
- Be water wise. There are many easy ways to minimize the amount of water you use in your yard with big benefits all around. Start by fixing leaky hoses, switching to "smart" water sprinklers or getting back to basics by using a simple watering can to target plant roots – you'll enjoy the water savings and the extra time to stop and smell the roses.
Other easy ways to save include watering during the cooler hours of the day, keeping your grass at least 3 inches to reduce moisture loss, and investing in a rain barrel to save rainfall for a dryer day.
- Become a professional green gardener. Take some time to educate yourself more about the practices and benefits of green gardening. For new green gardeners, take time this month to learn the basics. For experienced green gardeners, stay on the cutting edge by updating yourself on some of the new information and technologies out there.
Share what you are learning with others in your community and beyond. The more people that know how simple it can be to make a difference the bigger that difference will become. What you are learning and sharing will truly benefit your own community, the global community, and the ocean community.
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