Science, Technology, Energy and Mines

In Your Yard and Garden

Our lawns and gardens are little oases of green in the concrete jungle. But even our green spaces can be more climate-friendly.

Your mower

In Canada, gasoline powered lawn equipment releases about 80,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year. New electric models are cordless, rechargeable and do not require oil, gas, a starter rope or tune-ups. Solar models harness the sun's energy to get the job done. Better yet, manual equipment provides light exercise while keeping your green space trimmed.Not ready to trade up? Keep your gas mower running as pollutant-free as possible.

Not ready to trade up? Keep your gas mower running as pollutant-free as possible.

• Clean or replace air filters and spark plugs, conduct tune-ups and adjust the carburetor regularly.
• Change the oil as specified by the manufacturer. Avoid overfilling.
• Keep mower blades sharp and the underside of the mower clean to maximize efficiency.
• Drain the fuel tank at the end of the season to prevent contaminants in the gasoline from settling and clogging the fuel injection system. Your mower will run cleaner next spring.

Here are some additional tips for lawn maintenance

• Set your mower blades high - two and a half to three inches (five to eight centimeters). Short, scalped lawns are harder to maintain, encourage weeds and disease, and require more water.
• Maximize greenery! Every bit of greenery helps clean the air, sequesters carbon dioxide, and prevents soil erosion.
• Greenery doesn't have to mean huge lawns. Try attractive, no-mow groundcovers and other creative landscaping alternatives to cut down on your grass-cutting emissions.
• Save lawn clippings and place them between the rows of your garden as mulch. Clippings, if they are free of pesticides and herbicides, provide a good organic fertilizing agent. They also conserve moisture and improve soil texture.
• Instead of throwing clippings in the garbage, take the grass catcher off your mower and don't rake them up. You can run the mower over the clippings again to chop them into smaller pieces. Clippings break down quickly and provide natural mulch.
• Nitrogen-based fertilizers produce nitrous oxide which traps 300 times more heat reflected from the earth than carbon dioxide. The average suburban lawn is deluged with 10 times as much chemical fertilizer per acre as farmland! Skip the chemicals - stick to mulched clippings!
• Like fertilizers, pesticides are over-used as well. They are harmful to beneficial insects, as well as birds, earthworms and other desirable garden creatures. They also pose serious health risks for children and adults. If your lawn and garden need a boost, try organic products. They are better for our environment and your family.
• Spend 20 minutes digging weeds early in the season and you'll reap the rewards later in the year. No chemicals necessary (and a great activity for the kids). Can't weed by hand? Try boiling water. This is extremely effective - it literally cooks them.
• Hand-pick your garden pests - it is an excellent way to control insects at all stages of development. If done early, you can usually eradicate the worst offenders before they start to reproduce.
• Water your lawn only when absolutely necessary - don't spoil it into growing short roots that can't access deeper soil moisture! Your grass should be able to survive well on your region's rainfall. Look for appropriate varieties at your local garden centre.
• During dry spells, even the hardiest lawns need a little extra help. Use this strategy for the best results: water deeply (2-3 cm of water) every five days, rather than for a short period every day.
• Water during the coolest part of the day (before 10 AM and after sundown) and on non-windy days to reduce water loss from evaporation. Use automatic timers on sprinklers if you will be leaving during the watering.
• To avoid evaporation use sprinklers that deliver large droplets in a flat pattern rather than those that throw the water high into the air.
• Be sure to shut off all outdoor taps tightly and inspect them regularly for leaks. Winter takes its toll on outside taps. Repair leaks promptly.
• Collect rainwater in a barrel or other large container, and use the water for your garden or lawn. Cover the container with screen to keep mosquitoes from breeding.
• Trees can help you save money on your energy bill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from home heating and cooling. Plant evergreens on the north side of your home for shelter from winter winds. On the south side, plant leafy species for cool summer shade and warm winter sunlight.
• Plant native species that thrive in our region. They require less water and maintenance than imports. Fruit and seeding-bearing plants will readily attract local wildlife, too.

Greening your swimming pool

• Cover your heated pool with a thermal blanket to reduce heat loss and evaporation.
• Maintain your pool efficiently. Use pump timers to regulate energy and the length of time it is heated. Use cost-effective solar panels to heat your pool.

Predictions and analysis on this page were excerpted from:

Climate Change Connection Manitoba

Additional Resources

Pollutions Prevention Branch – Green Landscaping
Manitoba Eco-Network Organic Lawn Care
Resource Conservation Manitoba

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