The last few years have been a time of discovery for me. I believe in environmental stewardship. I believe it is the responsibility of each person and company to pursue steps which curb pollution and ensure a safe and healthy environment for our children, our neighbors, our cities, our countries, our world, and future generations. "To whom much is given, much is required."
Therefore, I am going to do my part. I have been in the landscaping business for more than twenty years. Now, my goal is to open the first all-electric, solar-generated lawn care business in Michigan using environmentally friendly equipment and practices. Our equipment will consist of solar equipped, enclosed trailers capable of charging equipment in the field, battery operated push and ride-on zero-turn mowers manufactured by Mean Green Machine, as well as battery-powered trimmers, edgers, backpack blowers, chainsaws, etc.. Depending on the how business goes this year, I intend to purchase all electric trucks as well, so that we can become the all-electric lawn company I desire us to be. One more way to strengthen my eco-friendly goals.
To help support the creation of this enterprise, please, like and share this blog and check out my Go Fund Me campaign.
In addition, I will offer a fertilization program consisting of finely ground compost created by Spurt Industries LLC/ Compost Soil Technologies. Learn more about their operations by visiting their website: www.spurtindustries.com . You would be amazed at the quality of lawn and speed of germination gained when using their products.
One more step in gaining an environmentally-friendly lawn care program is by starting with a quality lawn seed. Low-grow/slow-grow grass seed, which grows slower and thicker than the average lawn grass, and requires less water to keep it green, will be used to renovate the lawns of any customers interested in availing themselves of this service.
Stewardship Lawn & Land Care - EcoEast Lawn Care
To join the all-electric, solar-generated lawn care revolution, and have your property cared for by a knowledgeable, friendly and meticulous professional company in the Grand Rapids, MI area, contact Brent Now at (616) 328-3258.
Contact me for additional information via phone @ 616 328-3258 or email @ omegabrickandlandscaping@hotmail.com.
Showing posts with label east grand rapids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label east grand rapids. Show all posts
Friday, February 12, 2016
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Permeable Pavers – Automated Snowmelt Systems – Solar
Panels – Rain Harvesting
As you may have noticed, I am striving to make my mark on
the landscape industry in Grand Rapids, Michigan by encouraging sustainable
landscapes in both soft and hardscapes.
Currently, I am working with a client to transform her
property into a model of sustainability in East Grand Rapids. Among the ideas on the drawing board are
permeable pavers for a 4,200 square foot driveway heated via an electric or a hydronic
snowmelt system, Urban Farming, edible landscaping, and elimination of
excessive manicured lawns in favor of prairie gardens and other lawn
alternatives. Additionally, we are looking at a rainwater harvesting system.
Use of permeable paving will keep stormwater from running
off the driveway and into the city sewer system. Water will drain between pavers into a
filtering stone base where it will be able to percolate into the soil. Another option we are considering is harvesting
of stormwater from both the permeable driveway and roof system to be reused to
irrigate the landscape. This will decrease
or eliminate the need to use city water which can be both expensive and
wasteful of our natural resources. There
is no need to run rainwater through our extensive over-burdened sewer and wastewater
filtration systems.
The biggest challenge is the power needed to run a snowmelt
system for this large area. The system
needs approximately 600 amps. Typically
homes have only 200-400 amp service. While
it may be possible to upgrade the amperage, we would prefer to use a more
sustainable option. Luckily, the home
and garage have significant space on their South facing roofs. So, we may be able
to use solar power to power this system.
As we move along developing this project, I will post
updates.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Conservation: Reduce Mowing and Watering
One major aspect of resource stewardship is conservation. When it comes to lawn care, conservation may start with reduced mowing. In order to reduce mowings, it is necessary to either reduce the rate of growth, or allow the lawn to grow longer before cutting. Maybe both.
There are two ways to cut back on mowing while maintaining a healthy lawn.
Option One: Reduce growth of your existing lawn. A couple of years back, I came across a group of products called PGR's: Plant Growth Regulators. One such product is Embark by PBI Gordon. Embark reduces the rate of foliage elongation while encouraging lateral growth. The use of PGR's gives you a thicker, slow-growing lawn. Great idea. I have yet to test these PGR's myself. I am in the process of researching independent studies on the affects of PGR's in regard to the root system and overall health of the turf. Currently, these products are only available to professionals.
Option Two: Lawn Renovation utilizing slow-grow, low-grow grass. There are several companies claiming to sell grass seed that grows lower and slower than previously available cultivars. All of these web sites claim to sell grass seed that, once established, requires little to no regular watering, no fertilization, and reduced mowing. If you could reduce your mowings to once a month, would you do it? I would. I will be puchasing these lawn seeds and testing them myself to see how they live up to their claims.
For more information, check out these sites: http://www.low-grow.com/; http://www.eco-friendly-grass.com/; http://www.protimelawnseed.com/.
Proper lawn mowing can also reduce gas and fertilizer and pesticide use by encouraging a naturally healthy lawn. Close cropped lawns have become the standard in the United States. Most people cut their lawns as short as two inches. However, studies indicate that lawns kept at a minimum height of three inches suffered less stress than lower cut lawns.
Why is this? Lawns benefit from increased height in three ways:
First, there is a direct correlation between the height at which a lawn is maintained and the depth of its roots. Deeper roots require less watering. If roots only reach two inches, the lawn only benefits when the top one or two inches of the soil is moist. Deeper roots lead to less watering and more drought resistant lawns.
Second, when a lawn is kept longer, it reduces the rate of evaperation, thus, preserving soil moisture. Again, less watering is required and the lawn is more drought resistant.
Third, most weeds prefer full sun. If no light reaches the soil, weed seeds struggle to germinate. Those weeds that do manage to grow are choked out by the more established grass. Weeds cannot easily compete with a healthy lawn.
Site with additional information on PGR's.
http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/hort436/Lec%2016.stm
There are two ways to cut back on mowing while maintaining a healthy lawn.
Option One: Reduce growth of your existing lawn. A couple of years back, I came across a group of products called PGR's: Plant Growth Regulators. One such product is Embark by PBI Gordon. Embark reduces the rate of foliage elongation while encouraging lateral growth. The use of PGR's gives you a thicker, slow-growing lawn. Great idea. I have yet to test these PGR's myself. I am in the process of researching independent studies on the affects of PGR's in regard to the root system and overall health of the turf. Currently, these products are only available to professionals.
Option Two: Lawn Renovation utilizing slow-grow, low-grow grass. There are several companies claiming to sell grass seed that grows lower and slower than previously available cultivars. All of these web sites claim to sell grass seed that, once established, requires little to no regular watering, no fertilization, and reduced mowing. If you could reduce your mowings to once a month, would you do it? I would. I will be puchasing these lawn seeds and testing them myself to see how they live up to their claims.
For more information, check out these sites: http://www.low-grow.com/; http://www.eco-friendly-grass.com/; http://www.protimelawnseed.com/.
Proper lawn mowing can also reduce gas and fertilizer and pesticide use by encouraging a naturally healthy lawn. Close cropped lawns have become the standard in the United States. Most people cut their lawns as short as two inches. However, studies indicate that lawns kept at a minimum height of three inches suffered less stress than lower cut lawns.
Why is this? Lawns benefit from increased height in three ways:
First, there is a direct correlation between the height at which a lawn is maintained and the depth of its roots. Deeper roots require less watering. If roots only reach two inches, the lawn only benefits when the top one or two inches of the soil is moist. Deeper roots lead to less watering and more drought resistant lawns.
Second, when a lawn is kept longer, it reduces the rate of evaperation, thus, preserving soil moisture. Again, less watering is required and the lawn is more drought resistant.
Third, most weeds prefer full sun. If no light reaches the soil, weed seeds struggle to germinate. Those weeds that do manage to grow are choked out by the more established grass. Weeds cannot easily compete with a healthy lawn.
Site with additional information on PGR's.
http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/hort436/Lec%2016.stm
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