Lately everything is green—green industry, green technology, green spaces, green tea. I often worry the trendiness of all things green will overshadow what the movement is really about. At YardScapes, greenness isn’t a buzzword but a commitment to our environment.
You all know that green spaces are aesthetically pleasing and privacy promoting. But green spaces are more than that—they benefit the environment in innumerable ways:
- Built-in pollutant filtration—one tree removes 26 lbs of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, equaling 11,000 miles of car emissions.
- Proper landscaping reduces nitrate leaching from the soil into the water supply and reduces surface water runoff.
- Dense cover of plants and mulch holds soil in place, keeping sediment out of lakes, streams, storm drains and roads.
- Reduced fossil fuel use by using trees to modify temperatures—properly placed deciduous trees reduce house temperatures in summer, and allow the sun to warm the house in winter.
- On a human level, green spaces relieve tension, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress.
Now let’s talk about pesticides, the use of which seems antithetical to what I’ve just written. Just as the green lifestyle has gained momentum, so too has the concept that pesticides are detrimental to the environment as well as harmful to our kids and pets.
All three of my girls have grown up enjoying the outdoors, which began with sitting and crawling and taking their first steps on our lawn. Our pets have, too. I’m not suggesting an animal rank equally with our kids, but they are members of the family nonetheless and their health important to us.
That said, our work occasionally requires pesticides, the use of which is carefully and responsibly monitored. Integrated Pest Management (IPM), the foundation of YardScapes’ Lawn Care Program, nurtures healthy soil and uses pest control only if necessary.
Curative rather than preventative, YardScapes’ IPM promotes pesticide use only when deemed necessary and only in targeted areas. A complete soil analysis identifies any nutrient deficiencies or (pH) problems. Corrective measures are recommended should problems exist and fertilization is adjusted as needed.
Above all else, our aim is to improve, never to harm the environment we work tirelessly to maintain. We keep current all research and have the best people and equipment to implement industry advances.
We are devoted to caring for living things and have spent our careers cultivating healthier environments. We will continue to work hard to keep your confidence and trust.