6 ways to make your lawn more biodiverse

Biodiverse lawns require a shift in perspective from the stark, green, clean-cut lawns that we’re used to seeing in many suburban neighborhoods. After some initial effort, biodiverse lawns require less maintenance and water while making your neighborhood more eco-friendly. 

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Here’s your checklist for a more biodiverse lawn:

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Embrace a More Natural Aesthetic

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Biodiverse lawns have a more relaxed and natural appearance compared to traditional, highly manicured lawns. They often showcase a mix of colors, textures, and heights, contributing to their visual appeal.

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Choose Native Plants

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Biodiverse plants like native grasses, wildflowers, herbs, shrubs, and trees. This supports a wider array of pollinators, insects, birds, and other wildlife.

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Native plant species are plants that naturally occur in a specific region and have evolved to thrive in local environmental conditions. Using native plants in your biodiverse lawn is important because they are adapted to the local climate, soil, and wildlife, making them more resilient and beneficial to local ecosystems.

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Reduce the Amount of Lawn Area

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Biodiverse lawns often have less mowed grass and more areas dedicated to diverse, native vegetation, which can include meadow-like sections, flower beds, and patches of wildflowers.

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Create Habitats 

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Biodiverse lawns are designed to provide habitat for insects, birds, small mammals, and other wildlife. Leaves, flowers, trees, and even dirt provide shelter, nesting sites, and food sources.

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Use Minimal Chemicals 

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Biodiverse lawns typically avoid or minimize the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers to reduce harm to beneficial insects, soil organisms, and the overall environment.

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Improve Soil Health

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By planting native plants and reducing soil treatment and tilling, biodiverse lawns can help improve soil health, enhance water retention, reduce erosion, sequester carbon dioxide, and provide other ecological benefits.