Home & Garden...

This week we've been going over some easy green audits you can try at home. So far we've looked at:

• Green Audit Your Home & Yard
• Green Audit Your Pantry
• Green Audit Your Cleaning Supplies
• Green Audit Your Bathroom
• Green Audit Your Closets

Tonight let's look at our last green audit of the week - your yard. Following are some tips you can use when green auditing your yard and garden.

Do you use a green lawn mower.

Are you using smart water tactics?

• Watering in the early morning or at night.
• Keeping your water where it needs to go, not running off into the street.
• Consider having less grass, and more bark, patio space, or soil.
• Mulch plants and trees to conserve water.
• Plant like with like - you don't need to plant water loving plants among plants that conserve water. You'll waste water when watering.

Are objects in your yard and garden recycled and sustainable - think about decorations and planters you may have.

Use recycled bags for clippings.

Toss out any toxic chemicals and pesticides and use natural fertilizer, weed control, and pest control options. To learn more read:

Reduce Your Fertilizer Use with Grasscycling

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Garden Pests

Plant organic seeds and organic plants.

A big part of proper green gardening and yard tactics has to do with where you live. There are general tips you can follow, but water conservation is going to be different in New Mexico vs. Oregon, so it pays to learn regional tactics. Visit the National Gardening Association and check out their regional site which will connect you with a regional newsletter and regional gardening blogs.

Visit Mother Earth’s Garden to learn all about green gardening.