CZ Eco-Blog
Posted by Carbon Zero Lawn Care on June 19, 2011
Carbon Zero Lawn Care strives to be as green a company as possible, using soy ink on recycled paper, electronic invoicing, and battery recycling.
The question asked of me then is, “How can you claim to be Carbon Zero if you use such big honkin’ trucks?”
Two word answer: Carbon Offsets.
Carbon Offset programs do just what their name would indicate: They are organizations that develop and manage environmentally beneficial projects such as reforestation or wind farms. The funding for these projects is collected by calculating donors’ carbon footprints, determining the value of what it takes to offset those footprints and investing the monies in their projects.
Because the nature of lawn care involves the use of many heavy machines – most of which are not viably electric – yet – we are required to use vehicles suitable to transporting these machines from place to place; there’s just no getting around it at the moment.
To neutralize the detrimental effects produced by our vehicles, Carbon Zero Lawn Care calculates its footprint for operations and donates annually to certifiable carbon offset programs. In addition, we may make smaller donations on a monthly basis whenever we are obliged to use tools with internal combustion engines, like core-aerators.
We subscribe to www.carbonfund.org, and our donations are currently split between the Nez Perce Reforestation Project in Idaho and the Truck Stop Electrification Project.
For more information on other programs and to find out how you, your business and your family can become “carbon zero,” I recommend you log on to www.ecobusinesslinks.com; they have a list of carbon offset programs, along with their respective certifications.
…and remember: “Healthy Lawn = Healthy Planet”
Posted by Carbon Zero Lawn Care on March 19, 2011
Organic lawn care is gaining in popularity – but what does "Organic Lawn Care" mean?
Organic, all natural lawn care includes the following tenets:
- No toxic chemicals are used to maintain the color, kill weeds or get the grass to grow.
- We say “Yes” to Weeds and Beneficial Insects. This does not mean that weeds cannot be dealt with and their numbers controlled organically, it just means that the total eradication of all weeds in an organic lawn is unlikely and not necessarily desired.
Here’s a great example: Clover is a natural nitrogen bank and is not considered a “true weed” in an organic lawn.
Another great example: Beneficial Nematodes (little underground pest hunters – more on those in another blog) help control damaging insects including grubs, fleas, mole crickets and more.
- Grass is cut high – up to 3 - 3 ½ inches during peak hot weather. This keeps the soil cool, and cool soil promotes drought tolerance to the grass roots. Longer grass also keeps potential weeds in the shade, which prevents their growth. If you are thinking about re-seeding or over-seeding, certain species of tall fescue are drought resistant which lowers the amount of watering required.
- Grass is not bagged and is cut using mulching blades. The nutrients required for a healthy lawn actually come from the mulch which is left on the lawn.
- Grass is cut in alternating, right-angle patterns. This allows the grass to grow in a healthy manner and prevents “ruts” of mulch, spreading the food over the entire lawn.
- Natural ingredients are used over the course of the season to feed and sustain an organic lawn. Organic lawn feeding materials are no more expensive than the chemical treatments that were previously so popular, but the difference is that you can immediately USE your lawn!
- Patience is required during the switch from a lawn “on steroids” to an organic lawn. When starting an organic approach, your lawn is stressed out from the chemicals – the weaning process may temporarily result in more weeds.
Love your organic lawn – it will love you back with hours of carefree, safe enjoyment for your family and an overall healthier environment.
For more information on organic lawn care, please refer to The Ohio State University Turf Science Department (http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/4000/4031.html)
Posted by Carbon Zero Lawn Care on March 10, 2011
On my daily walk the other day, I noticed the most absurd visual. It literally stopped me in my tracks. As I was crossing the street, I passed a storm drain. In close proximity to that drain was an emblem with a fish on it. I recognized it as part of Columbus’ effort to increase awareness of the “We All Live Downstream” program.
A commendable idea: To make citizens aware that the decisions they make and the products they use at home often end up damaging our rivers.
Imagine my disappointment, then, when I looked up and immediately spied in the adjacent yard, not 10 feet from the drain, a placard by one the larger lawn fertilizer companies advising me that my children and pets must “keep off” due to the presence of a detrimental chemical!
I wondered if the home owner knew that the chemicals they have paid to put on their lawn, and warned to avoid any contact with, would, with the next rain wash into that sewer and eventually the Olentangy River.
Then I wondered how many others were allowing the same thing to happen. Are they really not aware of the long-lasting and far-reaching dangers of these chemicals? Are they really not aware, or do they not care that there are safe, non-toxic alternatives?
If you’d like more information on Columbus’ efforts in this area, go to http://utilities.columbus.gov/Conservation/StormDrainMarkerPrgram.htm
And finally, if you would rather not use a service that has to place a warning on your lawn then give us a try.
Posted by Carbon Zero Lawn Care on July 7, 2010
Hard to believe, but winter is on the way -- Carbon Zero can help you get ready for the cold with a fall clean-up. As a reminder, Carbon Zero is a full-service lawn care company operating "carbon neutral". That very often translates to additional manual services, so you won't see us driving up and unloading "super mowers".
It may not seem like much, but one of the reasons we started Carbon Zero was because we realized that every small action that can be taken...helps! We are proud that we've started Carbon Zero and that we can be here for you -- sharing ideas and reaching out to others that are concerned about the earth and the future of our children.
Posted by Carbon Zero Lawn Care on April 12, 2010
Which action would make a bigger dent in your carbon footprint — giving up your daily automobile commute or getting rid of your gasoline lawn mower? Believe it or not, a gas lawn mower creates more pollution than a car.
In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that the average gas lawn mower, used only once a week for a year, spews as much air pollution as 43 new cars, each driven 12,000 miles. So the next time you or your lawn service cranks up a noisy, smelly gas mower to trim your lawn, think about the higher levels of carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen oxides you’ll soon be breathing ... then consider a better way to keep your yard trimmed and beautiful ... Carbon Zero Lawn Care!
