Living in Florida, with our sandy soil, makes it very difficult to get grass to grow. Even more so if you have two dogs who run around your yard and tear up any seedlings that are there. Although I am green with my fertilizing, the grass growing problem is with the dogs, not with being green. However, the grass-cutting problem is from being green. I decided when moving in, that I was NOT buying a gas-powered mower. To me, that is just a luxury that costs the environment greatly. Being on a tight budget we went with a push-reel mower instead of an electric one. The push-reel mower also has the benefit that it uses no energy besides my own. I don't have to have a perfectly cut lawn and I honestly do love my mower. The issue comes in spring with one particular type of grass that has little balls of thorns. I curse them as they scratch my legs while walking in the yard. When cutting the grass, they lay down flat so I can't get them. Such rebellious little suckers they are. So I end up having to go over my entire lawn with the electric trimmer to get them all. It can be a long process to have to repeat weekly. But for now, that will be how it goes. I am sure that one day we will invest in an electric mower to solve that dilemma.
Problem two: we have to run the sprinklers extensively to get the grass to grow. I guess to most, this is not a problem. But to me, it fills me with guilt (and empties my pocket). If only it would rain daily when we need it and not when we don't. This is one of those issues I really can't solve at this time. The only other option is to increase our rain-collecting system or get another water-saving system that would redirect the water to the yard when needed. This is also, not pocket friendly at this time.
Problem three: fleas. I got overwhelmed with the amount that my dog, Lilly was scratching and gave in to dowsing our yard with chemicals to rid of fleas. I am filled with guilt for that one as well. I had heard once that tobacco dust, obtained from a cigar store, would do the same trick. However, my fiance was not convinced and on his own purchased the chemicals. So, I lost that battle but do not plan on losing that one again because the guilt is too much.
I hope everyone enjoys my blog and hopefully learns from it. I am open to all suggestions on how to better green my yard, house and life :)
