Go Green This Earth Day

By April, our Spring Hill lawns are already looking pretty green. In the spirit of Earth Day, however, we figure we can make a little more effort to “go green” when it comes to maintaining that lush landscape that Florida is so well known for. Here are just a few ways for you to be a bit more mindful of the environment this spring:

1. Replace some of your grass with pavers, ground cover, or any other material that will help reduce the amount of water required to keep your lawn healthy. If that’s not motivation enough, think of the time you’ll save on mowing!
2. Between fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, a lot of chemicals go into our lawns. Cutting back on even one of those will make your lawn more environmentally friendly and prevent the chemicals from flowing into surrounding lakes and ponds, as well.
3. Plant a tree to add interest to your landscaping while improving the quality of the air. Additionally, trees and shrubs can provide shelter to beneficial wildlife such as birds, bats, and bugs.
   Water at the right time. The Southwest Florida Water Management District recommends running your sprinklers after 4:00 pm or before 10:00 am on your assigned watering days; watering at any other time is futile, as the water will simply evaporate in the Florida heat.
4. Use “low-tech” lawn tools. Instead of clearing lawn clippings with a hose or blower, use a broom. If you’re up to a real challenge, use a reel mower instead of your auto-push electric or gas mower. Use loppers or hand clippers to trim trees and shrubbery. Any of these will benefit the environment (and provide you with a killer workout).
5. Make sure your sprinkler system is working efficiently. If you’ve got busted sprinkler heads or even sprinkler heads that are improperly placed, you’re wasting water, time, and money. The next time you run your system, walk around your property to make sure each zone is being watered as needed.

At Challenger Irrigation, we’re not only concerned with your irrigation system; we’re concerned with the health of your lawn and family, as well. With over 25 years serving the Hernando County community, we know what it takes to make your lawn beautiful and green — on Earth Day and every day. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our highly qualified technicians.