This spring and summer, consider alternatives to traditional lawn care in order to help keep North Texas’ ozone season mild.

• Use propane or electric powered lawn mowers
• Buy recycled-content gardening equipment and tools, such as garden hoses made from old tires, stepping stones made from old glass bottles, or hand tools made with recycled plastic.
• Keep your lawn mower and other equipment in efficient operating condition by performing regular maintenance according to the owner’s manual.
• Purchase a nozzle that prevents fuel spills when refilling your lawn mower.
• Use manual tools when appropriate to save fuel and protect air quality.
• Avoid using a gas mower on red air quality watch or warning days.
• Raise the cutting height of your lawn mower during the hot summer months
• When you mow, “grasscycle” by leaving grass clippings on your lawn or use a mulching mower.
• Conserve water. Use barrels to collect rain water and use it to water plants.
• Check hoses for leaks before watering plants, and position sprinklers so they water only plants