Green alternatives to a grass lawn

Pretty perennials like this Jasper's Beard save water!

What's the big deal about having a grass lawn anyway? I see a lot of media emphasis placed on having a lush, green grass lawn. Most of it stems from companies trying to sell you chemical fertilizers and pesticides. No thank you! There are plenty of alternatives to a green lawn that won't impact future generations negatively. If you can grow a green lawn without chemical usage, you have my blessing. As for me, I'm seeking some other options to save both water and the environment.

Do you really need all that grass in the back yard?

When we moved into our fixer upper, we were faced with a huge yard filled with native weeds. We made a decision to gradually rid ourselves of the “lawn”, one project at a time. It's going to be a long process. Right now we have an area of raised bed/bucket gardens, a fire-pit area started in one corner and a hugelkultur. In the middle is an area of weedy lawn. As we progress, the weedy area will become paths through some pretty garden beds and features.

What are some ideas for the front lawn, that don't involve grass?

Here in Denver, we use something called Xeriscaping.

It's a technique where native plants abound. The idea is to plant flowers, herbs and other natives that use less water as an alternative to a green lawn. The plants are scattered among rocks and other interesting landscaping features. I've seen some truly original lawns since moving to Denver. That alone is reason to consider this option.

You can grow organic veggies in the front yard.

Some municipalities frown on this practice, while others sing it's praises. Get around the naysayers by scattering your veggies in flower beds. They'll blend right in. I know one local gardener who encourages her neighbors to help themselves to her front yard veggies. She has a garden in the back for just her family. I love her idea! I'm going to try to incorporate it into my next project.

I'm a big fan of English gardens.

Unfortunately, the climate here is semi-arid. We don't get the rain they do in England. Most traditional English garden flowers require more water than I can afford to give them. So, I've come up with a great idea for my front yard. I'm going to try mixing Xeriscape with English garden style and small grassy areas for something totally unique.

What if you really love your grassy green lawn?

Maybe you have future football players in your family. Maybe you just love the look. Whatever your reason for keeping your grassy lawn, you can do it in an ecofriendly way. Start by checking your local home improvement store for non-chemical fertilizers and pesticides. You can also plant grasses or stepable plants that use less water.

Having a green lawn doesn't necessarily mean you must have conventional grass or use chemicals and tons of water to maintain it. When it comes to a fabulous lawn and garden, you can go green and still have it all.

Are fabric toxins lurking in your kids' clothes and bedding?

Sadly, even natural fabrics can be treated with toxins.

What are your kids' clothes made of? Could they be toxic? How do you clean them? Do you bleach your kids' bedding to keep it germ free? If so, your kids could be breathing and absorbing toxins as they sleep. Are fabric toxins lurking in your kids' rooms, either on or in clothes and bedding? Here's how to be safe when choosing and caring for your kids' clothing and linens.

Your kids' clothing may be chemically treated.

Today's clothing industry often adds pesticide and stain repellant to textiles. This is true, whether we are talking about blue jeans or bed sheets. In addition, fire resistant chemicals are routinely used in sleepwear and more. Kids with sensitive skin may react to the chemicals in new clothing. As for the rest, they are still exposed through skin absorption.

What to do:

*Wash new clothing several times before use.

*If reactions still occur, soak in lemon juice and water to detoxify. Then rinse thoroughly.

Wash kids' clothes and bedding with care.

Most conventional detergents, bleaches and stain removers contain highly toxic chemicals. Because of its' toxicity, chlorine bleach is one of the worst things you can use on your kids' clothing. For years we have been taught this is the best way to kill germs. Actually, there are other ways to wash, disinfect and bleach clothing without using chemicals.

What to do:

*Avoid dry clean only fabrics. The conventional dry cleaning process involves chemical washing.

*Wash clothes with vinegar and baking soda.

*Bleach clothing with lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide.

*Disinfect clothing with thyme extract. This is made by seeping thyme in clear vodka.

Which fabrics are most likely to contain chemical residues?

Synthetic fabrics are actually chemically produced. Some are not fabric at all, but different forms of plastics made with a petroleum base. You best bet is to purchase natural fiber fabrics such as cotton and wool. It's important to remember, not all natural fabrics are free from chemical treatment. In fact, a great deal of the cotton fabric available has been heavily treated with pesticides.

What to do:

Be sure the natural fabrics you buy for your family are labeled 100% organic.

Kids' room carpeting likely contains toxins.

The majority of carpeting in homes is made from synthetic materials. In order to insure easy clean up, most carpet is treated with stain resistant chemicals. Some carpet is treated with fire resistant chemicals as well. Between the make up of the carpet and all these added chemicals, that makes carpeting a real health hazard. When kids walk on the carpet in their rooms, particularly if it's new carpet, these chemicals can be transported into their bedding via their clothing.

What to do:

*Opt for tile or untreated hardwoods.

*Use organic natural fiber throw rugs.

Greening your moving trash

Moving creates a ton of trash, doesn't it? And not just trash, but also piles of things you have no wish to take with you. What can you do with it all? What are some ways to stay green while disposing of unwanted items when you move?

Have a yard sale. The more items people have to buy new, the more resources they use. Price it low so that they're more likely to buy it. After all, the object isn't to make a profit, it's to reduce the amount of things you have to dispose of.

Dropping your used, unwanted items off at a local thrift store has dual benefits. Doing so keeps them from wasting away at the landfill, which is decidedly green. You'll also bring more money into the community through their sales.

Maybe you'd rather donate your goods to a local charity, such as a homeless shelter? If so, call ahead first to see what they'll accept. There are also those donation boxes you'll often see in shopping plaza parking lots. Either way, they'll be put to good use. And either is always an environmentally friendly alternative.

You can drop large branches, etc. off at a business that makes mulch. Vegetable scraps that you've generated while packing and getting ready can go to someone who does composting, if you really want to go all green with the move.

What about the actual trash? If you really want to dispose of it in a green manner, make sure that it's all just trash. Sort out the recyclables. Fold and tie the cardboard for pick-up. If there's any lawn trash involved, bundle it according to city specification.

Try not to create future trash while moving.

Wrap fragile items in towels to cut down on paper use. You have to bring the towels anyway. Might as well put them to good use.

Leave clothes in dresser drawers for the move instead of using additional boxes. Remove the drawers for carrying, then slide them back into the dresser and secure them for the move.

You can do the same with bookshelves. Just lay them on the floor and fill them with the books that go on them. Other items can be stacked on top of them and it saves boxes.

If you think green with all of your moving activities, you can likely come up with other ways to be conserve resources while moving. Just ask yourself, “How can I do this greener?” Chances are, you'll come up with more green moving solutions on your own.