We can do it. I know we can.

Gardeners, I believe, by nature have an indelible urge to improve their little piece of the environment and leave the earth a more luscious, hearty and healthy place. What came to us as a seed we want to pass on as a blossom, and we hope that blossom is extended to the next generation as a fruit. Why else bother, right?

So I know that we, as a collective group of concerned gardeners – novice or experienced – can start this growing season off in the greenest ways possible. I’ll try to persuade you with what I think are logical, desirable, economically wise and easily doable alternatives to becoming a more eco-friendly gardener.

Who knows? It might make you feel good to use less, recycle your waste and make a difference in other little ways – not because the environment is a hot-button political issue at the moment, but because you’re a gardener and the earth is your canvas.

I consulted experts in Kansas University’s environmental studies department about the importance of composting, how to stretch water consumption and other green gardening topics. Here’s what they had to say.

Gas ‘er up … not

Did you know that running a gas lawn mower for one hour is like driving a car 350 miles? I read that statistic many years ago, and it never ceases to blow my mind that with the price of gas and the sheer gluttony of keeping grass green in August that lawns have not shrunk. On the contrary, new housing developments employ grass carpeting as far as the eye can see.

Val H. Smith, a professor in KU’s department of ecology and evolutionary biology, says older lawn mowers – as well as gas-powered trimmers and leaf blowers – create unacceptable levels of air pollution.

“Newer models are available that put out less pollution and noise,” he says. “But the best solution is going electric. I also favor mulching mowers that shred the clippings and leave them in place. Bagging the clippings and disposing of them simply exports the plant nutrients that would otherwise remain in place and expands the waste stream.”

Sharon Ashworth, a lecturer in the environmental studies program, recommends reducing the size of our lawns.

“Replace portions of the lawn with gardens and edges planted with native and perennial plants,” she says. “Try mowing with a reel mower. It provides great exercise, no noise and no pollution.”

I might add that, unlike other mowers, a reel version doesn’t have to spend weeks at the shop each spring, and some models now weigh as little as 15 pounds.

While gardeners can use organic or synthetic fertilizer, shown above, compost is a more environmentally friendly option. Compost can reduce the need for water, fertilizers and pesticides. It regenerates poor soil and encourages the production of beneficial microorganisms, which in turn break down organic matter into humus.

For a change in the way we think about lawns, Karl Brooks, an associate professor of history who specialized in American environmental history, suggests, “Lawn and garden industries have a real power for change: They have a huge influence over builders, developers, lenders and various others who create the landscapes for our neighborhoods. If these industries would focus on lower-till and lower-maintenance vegetation, we’d see some changes.

“Also, really, we just need to be happier with less-managed landscapes, smaller acreages and shaggier lawns.”

Recycle waste

Compost can reduce the need for water, fertilizers and pesticides. It regenerates poor soil and encourages the production of beneficial microorganisms, which in turn break down organic matter into humus.

Additionally, compost suppresses plant diseases and pests, and you’ll generally see a higher yield of edible crops when applying compost.

“Just think how much more garbage would end up in the landfill if we did not compost,” Ashworth says.

Brooks agrees and adds, “If we aimed to grow more vegetables, flowers, shrubs and less lawn grass, we’d probably have more use for compost created at home. And how about (grocery stores) dumping old produce out back? It would start as a place to help feed needy people, and then, after a certain time, be available for composting for anyone willing come pick it up.”

And so it flows

Most of the earth is covered in it, but that doesn’t mean water is an unlimited resource. In fact, very little irks me as much as people who time their water systems to spray in the middle of the day, when most of the water evaporates before it even hits the plants and lawn.

Here are a few tips for conserving water:

¢ Water in the mornings, and do it less frequently but deeper. This will allow plant roots to travel down into the earth instead of staying shallow.

¢ Use soaker hoses. They get right to the roots, avoiding droplets on leaves and blooms.

¢ Use mulch. It keeps the soil moist.

¢ Collect rainwater.

¢ Add drought-tolerant plants to the landscape and keep exotic flora or plants that need babying to a minimum.

“We really do need to reduce our water use,” Ashworth says. “Our reservoirs in Kansas are silting in, and we may be dealing with more severe droughts as the planet warms up.”

Giving back

As we grow, humans are rapidly removing wildlife habitats, making it increasingly important to add wildlife-friendly areas to our yards.

Brute force is often the best medicine for an eco-friendly garden, which means get out the rake (leave the blower on the shelf in the store) and clean up debris. This manual labor will help prevent pests and diseases.

Hand-pick and hand-prune when you see weeds or decaying matter. Rather than pulling out the chemicals, simply bend over. Plant a variety of flora. This will balance the ecosystem in your yard, providing food and living conditions for a number of beneficial living things – which in turn will aid in controlling pests.

There’s a lot we can do this spring to create not only the garden of our dreams but also a healthier planet for the many springs to come.