Fall is in the air, which can only mean the leaves will start covering the ground and yard work shifts from watering plants to clearing lawns of debris. This year, why not try to make your method of getting rid of unwanted leaves more sustainable?

Or better yet, allow leaf litter to accumulate in low traffic areas for over-wintering habitat for a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and insects. It's also best to mulch a one inch layer of leaves on your lawns and a 3-to-4-inch layer on garden beds. Mulched leaves return valuable micronutrients to your lawn and gardens (especially when mixed with grass clippings) and feed the microorganisms and worms that keep your soil—and your grass—healthy.

But for areas where you want to remove leaves, why not use electric lawn equipment? Gasoline powered lawn equipment emits thousands of tons of pollutants into the air each year, contributing to ozone (smog) and particle (soot) pollution. Electric equipment does not eliminate pollution related to lawn maintenance, but it does drastically reduce it.

The average gasoline mower tested by the US Environmental Protection Agency emits the same amount of pollutants in one hour that a 1992 Ford Explorer emits in 23,600 miles (and remember that the person close to the source is breathing in all of those pollutants). Electric equipment emits 80% less nitrogen oxides and 12% less carbon monoxide than a gasoline mower. If 20% of homeowners switched to electric mowers, carbon monoxide emissions would drop by 84,000 tons annually, and homeowners would save 73% of total energy costs associated with yard maintenance. These same savings can be translated into other lawn equipment, such as leaf blowers and hedge cutters.

There are now numerous electric outdoor appliances, including lawn mowers and leaf blowers that are powerful and offer cordless options. If you would like to read more about gasoline and electric lawn equipment please read Green Seal’s report comparing the two types here.

If you still decide to buy gasoline-powered equipment, buy a 4-stroke engine instead of a 2-stroke one. Two- stroke engines emit 40 times more particulate matter pollution, which is a main trigger for asthma attacks, is a carcinogen, and can cause cardio-pulmonary diseases.

Plant native species

Fall is the premier time for planting many plant species, including trees and shrubs. These plants, if planted before the end of October, will have plenty of time their roots to take hold before winter dormancy. Just make sure you mulch and water these newly planted trees and shrubs on a regular basis until they are well established. And be sure to plant native species that are already adjusted to grow in Georgia’s climate. By establishing native plants in your yard, you will decrease water dependence, reduce the need for fertilizer and pest control, and create a valuable habitat and food source for numerous wildlife species. For a list of native Georgia plant species, please click here.