Why Do Lawnmowers Produce So Much Pollution?

Off-road vehicles such as lawnmowers, tractors, ATVs, UTVs, and so on. We are all part of a group that puts out an extreme amount of pollution and has a large impact on our environment. They can do this because they are not “on-road” vehicles. The EPA has put very little effort into regulating emissions on Off-road vehicles. Emissions are more than 30 times worse than on-road gas vehicles and efficiency is way down near 20%.  Gas-powered outdoor power equipment is so polluting that the EPA has concluded that just one 2-cycle string trimmer can produce as many emissions in one hour as one full-size pick-up truck traveling over 3,000 miles!

According to an EPA study, a gas 24-hp commercial mower produces the same amount of emissions as 4,840 miles of car pollution each hour from mowing. That’s not including smaller 2-cycle trimmers and blowers which can produce over 3,000 miles of car pollution each hour. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (FHWA), Americans drive 13,476 miles a year. One hour of mowing once a week during the mowing season will equal the pollution of 10 cars on American roads, according to the FHWA & the EPA.

 

COMMERCIAL ZTR GAS MOWER

24 HP COMMERCIAL MOWER = 88 CARS AT 55 MPH EMISSIONS = 4,840 car miles each hour.

24 HP MOWER @ 3.5 HRS (NATIONAL AVERAGE/DAY) = 308 CARS AT 55 MPH/DAY = 16,940 MILES CAR EMISSIONS/DAY

RESIDENTIAL GAS RIDING TRACTOR MOWER

18 HP RIDING MOWER = 66 CARS AT 55 MPH EMISSIONS = 3,633 car miles each hour.

18 HP RIDING MOWER at 1.5 HRS (NATIONAL AVERAGE/WEEK) = 99 CARS AT 55 MPH/WEEK = 5,445 MILES CAR EMISSIONS/WEEK

Best Parks In Madison Wisconsin | Top 5

Madison Wisconsin has over 280 parks which is the largest number of parks per capita in the country. The park’s combined size is over 6,000 acres which makes up 14% of Madison’s land. So it’s no wonder that 95% of Madison residents live less than a 10-minute walk from a park. Those are not the only reasons Madison’s parks are rated the top 10 best parks in the country. It’s also for the reason that Madison’s parks have a great number of dog parks, playgrounds, basketball courts, Tennis courts, and more. 

 

1. Vilas Henry Park

Great zoo, attractions, beach, ice rink & hiking.

One of the oldest parks in Madison with many activities and attractions. The biggest attraction would be the Henry Vilas Zoo. This zoo is located in the park and is completely free. Vilas Park has our favorite beach in Madison located on Lake Wingra. There are boat rentals on the lake for you to enjoy. The park is right next to the UW Arboretum nature preserves for great walks and hikes. During the winter months, the park has one of the largest ice rinks in the city. 

 

2. Tenney Park

Great ice rink, beach & fishing.

Tenney Park has a little of everything when you think of a park. With a friendly atmosphere to socialize and also a peaceful place to get away from the city. In the wintertime, the park has the most popular ice rink in the city which is completely free. Being right on the lake Tenney Park has one of the top beaches in the city. It is the best Madison park to fish thanks to a long dock, river, and the main boat lock for boats to get from Lake Monona to Mendota or vice versa. This not only makes for great fishing but also a great view of boats going down the river. 

 

3. James Madison Park

Great popularity, BBQing & sunbathing.  

Located in Downtown Madison James Madison Park is one of the busiest parks in the city. This park is a popular spot for students where basketball, volleyball, and frisbee are some of the most popular activities. Located right on Lake Mendota it is also a great spot for sunbathing or for that cool lake breeze. The park also has a historic church called Gates of Heaven, which provides weddings and other gatherings.

 

4. Elver Park 

Great playground, sledding hill, disc golfing & hiking.

The largest park in Madison with over 250 acres has everything you need in a park. The splash park is a popular place to cool off during those hot summer days. During the winter months, the park has the best sledding hill in Madison. It also has athletic fields, one of the best disc golf courses in the area, and a lot more. It has all the fields, Baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, and volleyball. 

 

5. Olin Park

Great view & hiking.

Olin Park has the best view of the city of Madison. During the holidays the park has a beautiful Christmas light display which is also free. The park has a beach, boat dock, bike paths, playgrounds soccer, and baseball fields. Right next to Olin Park is Turville Point Conservation Park, where you can go on a nature walk, go cross-country skiing, or hiking.

 

Wisconsin’s Organic Lawn Care Guide

Organic lawn care guide for Wisconsin, the best organic methods, selective weed killer, organic per-emergents, and fertilizers. There are many benefits to having an organic lawn, it’s safer for your pets, children, yourself, and the environment. There are two main factors in having an organic lawn: using non-toxic chemicals and making sure the phosphorus pollution from your yard does not get into Wisconsin’s rivers, lakes, and waterways. You can go a step further by using an electric mower to keep the air we breathe clean as well.

 

1. Prevent & kill weeds using our recommended eco pre & post-emergents.
2. Apply our recommended organic low-nitrogen fertilizers.
3. Core lawn aerating for your yard’s root system.   
4. Overseeding your yard for a lush & full lawn.
5. The correct time to water your lawn and the amount. 
6. The correct mowing height and techniques. 

Best Organic Weed Control Products,

 

 1.  Branch Creek weed preventer and lawn food,

Pre-Emergent.

Branch Creek is a corn gluten-based pre-emergent. The easiest way to conduct weed control is to prevent weeds and crabgrass from growing by using organic pre-emergent. It is recommended to use organic corn gluten pre-emergent as it is easy to apply and is also lawn food that provides nutrients to your yard. Targets the seeds of weeds that allow grass seed to be applied at the same time. It’s recommended to be applied 4 times a year in the fall and spring. It’s recommended watering every day for two weeks after application.

 

2. Fiesta Selective Turf Weed Killer,

Post-Emergent.

If you have weeds on your lawn already, it’s best to use the only truly effective organic grass-safe post-emergent weed killer, Fiesta. The downside is that Fiesta is one of the most expensive grass-safe weed killers. Fiesta kills the weeds organically by overdoseing weeds with iron which weeds absorb quickly and grass absorbs slowly which is good for your lawn and gives it a dark green color. You can not seed for at least a month after applying.

 

3. Purely Organic Lawn Weed Shelld,

Pre-Emergent. 

Purely Organic weed shield is a great pre-emergent to prevent weeds. However, they say it can also kill weeds but in our experience, Fiesta is much more effective. You can not seed for at least a month after applying.  The easiest way to conduct weed control is to prevent weeds from growing by using organic pre-emergent.

 

4. Jonathan Green Weed Preventer + Lawn Food,

Pre-Emergent. 

This product is an alternative to Branch Creek as Jonathan Green is a corn gluten-based pre-emergent available in major stores in Wisconsin like Walmart and Ace Hardware.  It’s grass seed safe and is recommended watering every day for two weeks after application.

 

 

Organic Fertilizer

There are many different organic fertilizers off the shelf to choose from. However just because a product is made with organic material does not mean it’s the most eco-friendly product to choose from. Many organic fertilizers have high nitrogen that can be great for the grass but not so safe for beneficial to Wisconsin’s insects, wildlife, and waterways. It is recommended to use organic lawn food as it has low nitrogen levels, does not burn the grass, and provides nutrients. It’s recommended to be applied 4 times a year in the fall and spring with watering everyday for two weeks after application.

 

Best Organic Fertilizer Products,

 1.  Branch Creek weed preventer + lawn food,

2. Jonathan Green Love Your Soil,

3. Purely Organic Lawn Food,

4. Milorganite Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer

 

Aerating

Aerating is the most effective way to promote a healthy root system. Over time your soil compacts, which stops root growth. Aerating is the process of pulling plugs of soil out of the yard which reduces soil compaction. This creates optimal growth conditions for your yard by helping to circulate air and nutrients in the soil. Overseeding is recommended after aerating to prevent weeds and fill in bare areas.

You should aerate your lawn in the spring or fall.  Aeration will help to improve drainage, reduce thatch buildup, and promote new grass growth. It’s important to aerate every year so you can keep your yard looking its best!

 

Seeding & Overseeding

If your yard is not looking thick and lush, Seeding or overseeding is a great way to have a full lush, and green lawn. The first thing to do is to find out what type of grass you have or want. The best types of grass seed to use in Wisconsin are Kentucky Bluegrass, Rye, and Tall Fescue. No matter what type of grass you have, it is more important to know which type of seed you want. It is recommended to stay under 60% Kentucky Bluegrass as it has high maintenance, with Tall Fescue having the least maintenance.

The best time to seed is in the fall or early spring. For seeding a new lawn the rate should be under 6 pounds per 1,000 sqft for overseeding the rate should be under 2-4 pounds per 1,000 sqft. It’s best to comb over the soil with a regular leaf rake to bury the seed and put straw down on bare or thin areas. 

 

Watering

Ideally, your grass needs 1″ to 1.5″ inches of water a week. It’s best if the water seeps about 6 inches into the soil. Usually, watering three times a week around 15-30 minutes watering per area. The best time to water your yard is early in the morning between 5 AM and 10 AM before the temperature warms up and evaporates the water. You will need to adjust your watering by season. In the summer, your yard will need extra attention. In the springtime, usually, you should cut back your watering schedule.

 

Mowing

Mowing your grass the correct way will ensure a healthy yard. Cutting the grass too short puts a lot of pressure on the grass and can negatively impact your yard. Adjust your mower so you are cutting about 1/3 of your grass’s length and no shorter than 3 1/4  inches high.  Another tip for mowing is to maintain your mower. Sharp blades will make your yard much more healthy. Having sharp blades will cut the blades of grass clean instead of tearing them. This will result in not just having a healthy lawn but also result in fewer weeds as well.

Recommended Product EGO, They have the most dealers, the most support, and are the most innovative. We use them for commercial use and are proven reliable. According to the EPA, each horsepower on a gas mower = 200 car miles of pollution each hour the blade is running.