Harry's Chelsea garden, The School Food Matters Garden
22.06.2023 - 13:52 / bhg.com
The last few years have seen the spread of No Mow May, a campaign that encourages folks to mow their lawns and meadows less in order to reduce fossil fuel emissions and water use as well as help wildlife. On the face of it, it seems almost too good to be true–you could do a lot of good things for the environment by doing literally nothing. So perhaps it’s not surprising that letting your lawn grow for a month has fallen short of its promises.
However, No Mow May has provided an important stepping stone for rethinking what pretty means in urban and suburban landscapes, and how these spaces can provide valuable habitat and other environmental benefits. Our yards have the potential to support butterflies, bees, and birds while also cleaning and cooling the air, rebuilding compacted soils, and reducing urban flooding through landscapes that absorb more storm water. To take the next step into creating healthier landscapes for our families and neighbors, we have to understand the flaws of No Mow May and look at these goals with more nuance.
Helin Loik-Tomson / Getty Images
No Mow May has a few issues that may actually do the opposite of its intended goals. For example, according to Sheila Colla, associate professor at York University and a conservation scientist, the initiative to mow less each May began in the UK, where not mowing “doesn’t necessarily translate well in North America where we have different challenges and need different solutions.”
One challenge is that most of us live on highly altered urban and suburban lots where there is no native plant seed bank. Native plants are critical to feeding butterfly and bee larvae because they co-evolved with many native insect species. What is likely present in the soil are
Harry's Chelsea garden, The School Food Matters Garden
Water is essential for life. Your plants need water to grow and thrive, and more during the hotter months. Ever wondered about catching rain to use during times when there is less or no rain? Installing a rain barrel allows you to do exactly that: collect and store a natural resource for later use. Harvesting rainwater has many benefits from saving money on your water bill to utilizing what freely falls from the sky for times when raindrops aren’t so abundant.
Gardens can do wonders to our well-being and it’s scientifically proven that people who have them live better lives. If you are one of those lucky people, and have the privilege to live in a house with a wonderful garden then you should definitely spend some quality time on its decoration and do create some fabulous landscapes that you will enjoy even more. In this article you are going to see 19 Stunning Garden Pathways That You Can Make On Your Own with ease and without having to ask a professional for help.
The patio is an essential part of the home, no home is complete without one. Can you imagine living in a house, and not having a backyard where you can drink your morning coffee and relax? I don’t think so!
Mowing the lawn seems like a straightforward task, right? But did you know that there is a right and a wrong time to do it?
The front door or the porch are the very first elements of a home that come into play for welcoming one and all, and that’s why they must be appealing and of course, beautiful to look at. But over the years, things seem to lose their curb appeal and get all worn out and old. However, just a few steps of creative makeover can add new life to the same. Here are 25 Marvelous Curb Appeal Ideas That Can Rejuvenate Your Home With Gorgeousness.
Can you freeze fresh tomatoes? Short answer: sure.But this is one of those times when you should hold out for the lo
When the warm days announce that it’s tomato growing season and you’re ready to choose which varieties to include in your garden, there are many characteristics to consider.What will they taste like? How big will they get? What do they look
There’s nothing like opening up a fresh package of sheets. Most of the time, they’re perfectly ironed—almost crisp—and they never feel more soft or luxurious than before that first use. While you're probably looking forward to putting them on your bed and getting ready for a good night's sleep, you may be wondering if you should wash your new sheets first. But is it worth all that effort? They don't seem dirty and no one's used them yet, so is it really necessary to wash sheets before you use them?
We may not think much about the trees outside our homes, but if we heed the words of FDR, who famously said, “Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people,” it’s time we should. After all, urban forests—the ecosystems that make up our communities, including the trees planted on our residential properties, in parks, and along streets—are vital to our health and the health of the environment.
From floors to bathrooms and bedrooms, there are so many places that can get dirty in the home. But one of the spaces we rarely talk about is the inside of the microwave. After all, it’s pretty easy to hide microwave messes. Once the door is shut, no one notices until they need to use the microwave again, and how often do guests use your microwave, anyway?
While everyone has their own method for loading and unloading the dishwasher, there actually is a right way to do so—at least with the former. So the next time you get into a debate with your roommate, whether it’s a parent or significant other, you have the official answer in your arsenal.