We all remember our lessons in grade school about the importance of plants and how they can provide a healthy and clean environment for everyone by purifying the air around us. They take in carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas produced by humans, man-made materials and animals, that is responsible for the intensified effects of global warming.

Very few of us, however, actually put this knowledge to good use. Even fewer are the people who actually make real efforts to preserve the quality of the air we breathe and do not simply rely on what commercial companies call ‘environment-friendly’ products. The truth is, there are numerous efforts that we can make to help save the environment, even in the comforts of our own homes.

Going green can begin on our lawns. Here are a few tips on landscaping and maintaining the beauty of your lawn while benefiting the environment:

1) Discover the natural plant communities that are found in your locality. If you are only at the planning stage of your landscaping project or already looking for new additions to your growing garden, you may want to consider the local plants you find there.

By checking out what plants grow in your community, you can figure out what types are compatible with your climate and can therefore be certain that your new plant will grow. Additionally, because these plants are already well-adjusted to the condition in the area, they usually require very low maintenance efforts and consequently, less costs.

2) Choose to go natural. Various pesticides, aside from being dangerously toxic for your kids and pets, are also very costly and inefficient. Organic fertilizers, on the other hand, with their natural structure, pose no threats to you and your family. Also, natural fertilizers do not only nurture the plant but improve the soil quality which will be beneficial in the long run and can be very cost-efficient.

3) Improve your mowing and watering practices. Some people think that as long as they simply do these tasks regularly, their plants will be all right. However, every plant requires specific care and not all can survive on the same amount of water.

If you’re trying to maintain the grass on your lawn, find out what type of grass it is. Some can survive being mowed to an inch or less of length. Others, on the other hand, have to be maintained to at least two to four inches to live.

Same goes with watering your plants. Grass, for instance, does not need to be watered everyday. Actually, too much water can cause the plants’ roots to rot so it is important to only provide the right amount of moisture for them.