The Palisadian-Post has partnered with locally based environmental nonprofit Resilient 
Palisades to deliver a weekly “green tip” to readers of the paper.
They’re loud. They’re smelly. They’re noxious. They’re obnoxious. They are polluting our air and water. And they are a large source of smog and climate-changing emissions.
Although gas-powered leaf blowers, lawn mowers and hedge-trimmers are the norm and seemingly a necessary part of creating beautiful gardens, the technology is archaic through and through. Gas engines drop hazardous levels of toxins into our backyards at an unconscionable rate—heavy toxins that linger rather than float away and which have been detected on surfaces inside homes.
Step into 2021 by resolving to speak with your gardener about creating a truly green garden. Your gardener, your family, your neighbors and our planet will thank you. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Ask your gardener to leave the leaves be. Leaves and small twigs are nature’s natural organic fertilizer. Leaves in your flower beds will naturally and organically nourish your soil while creating microhabitats for beneficial critters like lady beetles.
Ask your gardener to use a rake instead of a blower where appropriate. If you have a large property, consider rewarding them with a pay raise for the reduced efficiency.
Share with your gardener news of the Southern California Air Resources Board’s trade-in
rebate program for commercial-grade zero-emissions blowers, mowers, and trimmers offered with discounts up to 75% off at authorized dealers. Visit AGZA.net for gardener-rated brands.
Join the free one-hour virtual presentation and Q&A with former gardener-turned-zero emissions guru Dan Mabe, founder of AGZA.net—hosted by Resilient Palisades on Tuesday, February 2, including tips on how to talk with your gardener.
RSVP at resilientpalisades.org/events.
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