Non-Toxic Yard Care
Most people believe that pesticides and other chemicals are an unavoidable part of yard care. Even when used just as directed, however, most such products can cause a wide range of health problems in humans and animals. Children and pets are the most vulnerable since they are closer to the ground and more likely to roll around in, crawl on, or even eat the grass that’s been treated. On top of that, yard chemicals can actually harm your lawn by discouraging root growth, causing thatch buildup, and making your lawn more vulnerable to pests and drought. 
Our passion for lawns can also become a problem. Many common lawn-care practices have a significant impact on our environment.
-On the West Coast, 60% of all water used goes to water lawns.
-About 18% of municipal solid waste is composed of yard waste.
-The average suburban lawn receives 10 times as much chemical pesticide per acre as farmland.
-Over 70 million tons of fertilizers are applied to residential lawns and gardens.
-Per hour of operation, a power lawn mower emits 10-12 times as much hydrocarbon as a typical car. A weedeater emits 21 times more, and a leaf blower 34 times more.
-Where pesticides are used, 60-90% of earthworms are killed. Earthworms are important for soil health.
Darcy & Associates can refer you to landscapers and gardeners who can create a spectacular yard with less lawn and water-dependent plants, without sacrificing any of the beauty you expect from your garden. A native garden, like the one pictured above, can be a spectacular — and environmentally sound — addition to your home.