Reduce Pollution Generated By Landscaping Maintenance

Your landscaping efforts may be inadvertently contributing to pollution problems in the air, water, and soil of your community, but you can reduce this pollution with a few simple changes that will save you money as well.

Chemicals Used in Landscaping Maintenance Contribute To Pollution

I am sure it will come as no shock to hear that chemicals used during normal maintenance of landscaped areas around your buildings carry their own ecological price. Chief among these, of course, are herbicides and pesticides, closely followed by fertilizers. When your landscaping efforts also include constructions of gazebos, fences, walls, and other structures, you will add other toxins to the environment, as well.

These chemicals reach far beyond your property by entrenching themselves into the soil and are carried into the drainage systems and waterways, as well as into the air.

There are solutions to this problem discussed in an earlier blog on the subject of Why Toxic Products Are Popular In Landscaping And Maintenance.

Fertilizer is a Dangerous Culprit

One of the major concerns with trying to reduce toxic pollutants in the environment nowadays is the overuse of fertilizers. While fertilizers support the beauty and healthy look of lawns, shrubs, trees, and other plants, the degree of use has become an issue.

Excess fertilizer carried by rainwater into the waterways and water systems has resulted in a number of unwanted environmental effects, even potential catastrophes, including such things as:

• A reduction in water quality
• The proliferation of pests drawn to blooming water plants or to the chemicals themselves
• Blocking of waterways and drainage systems from excessive growth of water plants
• A reduction in the size of ponds and streams due to excessive growth of water plants
• Stagnation of surface water due to the problems of overgrowth of water plants coupled with the proliferation of pests living off them

Other Pollutants are Contributed by Landscape Maintenance in Milpitas

One of the major, but often overlooked, pollutants are from the machinery used in landscaping maintenance. Despite its size, a common gas-powered push mower can emit pollution equivalent to as many as 11 automobiles! For a riding mower, it is up to 34 cars!

Landscape maintenance in Milpitas often includes some pressure washing of structures, walkways and parking areas. This means a lot of oil drips and spills, loosened paint chips, and load spills, among other things.

Here are some landscaping ideas to reduce pollution:

• Have your soil tested before deciding how much fertilizer to use and which kinds are needed. Your soil may be fine and not need any fertilizer. If it does, consider natural fertilizers rather than chemical.
• Have the condition of your plants evaluated by an expert. If they aren’t growing well, it may not mean a lack of fertilizer; it could be the result of an unrelated problem and some other solution is needed.
• Landscape with local, native plant species or those adapted to local conditions. They will need less if any, fertilizer because they are more biologically matched to the local soil and climate conditions.
• In your landscaping designs, make sure there is a workable drainage and containment plan so that excess water does not leave your property.
• Consider a ground cover other than a lawn, and you will avoid the expense of trimming and will eliminate the need for fertilizer and the pollution from gas-driven lawnmowers and trimmers.

An earlier blog discusses the topic of how to Include Runoff Abatement Measures In Pressure Washing Services and it addresses water pollution. You could also benefit from reading the blog An MSDS Is a Top Tool for Property and Street Safety, which expands on some of the legal points of which you should be aware if you use and store chemicals on your property.

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