Reducing the Impact of Mowing

Alternatives to lawns and mowing

Lawns are a common feature of properties in the Bellingen Shire and around Australia. While they have their place, lawns require high levels of inputs, especially in the form of water and mowing. Petrol and diesel mowers produce high levels of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds and nitrous oxides – all contributing to climate change and local air pollution.

You can reduce your environmental impact by:

• Reducing the extent of your lawn: Replace lawn with native gardens, ponds, habitat areas or food growing areas.
• Changing grass types: Replace exotic grass species with a low maintenance drought-tolerant native grass such as Zoysia macrantha or a no mow grass such as Zoysia tenuifolia.
• Swapping for groundcovers: Swap lawn for a mix of groundcovers such as creeping thyme, strawberries, native violets, native daisies (Brachyscome multifida), fan flowers (Scaevola) or Cousin It (Casuarina glauca).
• Creating a meadow: For large spaces consider replacing lawn with a meadow. Meadows consist of a variety of native grasses, shrubs and flowers that are sown together and grow into a low maintenance ecosystem.
• Using alternatives to mowers: Goats provide excellent weed control, chickens are adept at clearing an area for planting, while ducks and guinea pigs can be used in orchards to control pests and keep grass down. If you don’t have your own, consider borrowing some from a neighbour or hiring some local help.

Electric mowers and equipment

When thinking of actions to tackle climate change most people don’t think of their lawn. However, the truth is that lawn mowers and garden care equipment such as line trimmers, chainsaws and leaf blowers can emit more greenhouse gas emissions than a car. This is why some localities, such as California, have implemented laws to phase out such equipment.

The good news is that electric alternatives are becoming readily available. These have zero tailpipe emissions and, if charged from renewable energy sources, have minimal upstream emissions. An added benefit of electric equipment is that it is quieter which reduces local noise pollution and enhances operator comfort. So next time you need to replace your mower, or a piece of garden maintenance equipment, consider going electric.