July Meeting Recap: Creating an Environmentally Friendly Yard

So what makes for an environmentally friendly yard? That is the question Beth Peluse of The Conservation Foundation (TCF) posed to the audience at Greener Grove’s July meeting. Shout outs from the audience included minimal to zero turf grass, use of native plants throughout, no chemicals, and good water conservation practices like using rain barrels and planting drought-resistant plants - all good answers!

Beth Peluse presents "Conservation@Home" at the July 22 Greener Grove Meeting: Lincoln Center, Downers Grove.

Over the next hour or so, Beth delved into how we can create a more environmentally friendly yard by adjusting our way of thinking and doing. By shifting how we design, what we plant and how we care for our yards, we’re helping pollinators, improving soil health, fostering more resilient ecosystems and mitigating the impact of climate change.

Perspective - Where We’re At

Beth shared some sobering stats about our state and lawn care…

• Illinois, known as the Prairie State, was originally home to 21 million acres of prairie. Now less than .01% of prairie remains.

• Grass is America’s largest irrigated crop.

• Americans spend $40 billion annually, or $500/household, on lawncare, including mowing, seed, and fertilizer.

• When it comes to CO2 emissions and air pollution, 1 hour of lawn mowing = driving 300 miles from Los Angeles to Las Vegas; 1 hour of leaf blowing = driving 1,100 miles from Los Angeles to Denver.

  
  

Create an Environmentally Friendly Yard

To get started on creating your own environmentally friendly yard - or to kick it up a notch - here are some tips Beth shared:

• Mow lawns less frequently. According to a graphic Beth shared, “Mowing every two weeks vs. every week increased native bee species by 60%.” 

• Reduce the amount of cultivated lawn over time. “Think of grass as an area rug rather than wall-to-wall carpeting.” - Rebecca McMakin, “Let Your Garden Grow Wild” Ted Talk 

• Focus on planting native species. Native species are specific to a geographic area and support the wildlife in that same area. In addition, there are a variety of options to fit the conditions in your yard (sunny, shade, wet, dry, etc.) and use water more efficiently. One local resource for native plants mentioned was Natural Communities. Find others on the TCF website here.

• Plant a range of native flowers to attract and support different types of pollinators - bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, wasps - throughout the growing season. The bullseye pattern - contrasting color and UV visibility -  in the center of the flower is what guides pollinators to where the pollen and nectar are located. 

  

• Do your research when planting non-natives. While it’s fine to include non-native species in your planting schemes, focus on those considered harmless to the ecosystem. For example, Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ and spirea are considered harmless. Others, like vinca and buckthorne are invasive, crowding out native species. And, in the case of buckthorne, can even change the soil composition in a way that makes it difficult for other plants to thrive. 

• Consider types of modifications when evaluating nativars. Height and disease-resistance modifications are likely still beneficial; modifications like unusual flower colors or double-blooms may negatively impact pollinators. 

• Clear out invasive species. Techniques include hand pulling; cutting off blooms; and for large areas, layering cardboard over the invasives, then adding mulch on top to smother the plants.

• Plant biodiversity rockstars! Black-eyed Susan, asters, milkweed, goldenrod and oaks are all included on TCF’s rockstar list.

• Experiment with plants to achieve aesthetic goals. Plants like monarda and wild ginger tend to spread and fill in open areas. Others like marsh blazing star and fox sedge grow in clumps, creating a more tidy look. Incorporate plants in pots for accents in the garden or on a porch.

  
  

Take Action

Whether you are beginning the journey of creating a more environmentally friendly yard or well on your way, it’s great to take advantage of the many resources TCF provides. Here are some actions you can take now:

• Explore the many resources on the TCF website

• Join TCF

Sign up for a Conservation@Home visit to discuss how to make your yard more environmentally friendly and how to get certified.