Two Landscaping strategies that meaningfully mitigate greenhouse gases

1. Electrifying landscaping equipment
2. Naturalizing the land (so it needs less energy-intensive labor)

Click Here for a fact sheet that provides a nice summary (from Oregon).

ELECTRIFYING LANDSCAPE EQUIPMENT

CO-BENEFITS of electric equipment

1. reduced GHG
2. improved air quality (for communities and the person using the equipment)
3. lighter equipment that is easier to maneuver
4. quieter (for communities and the person using the equipment)

COST COMPARISON (7x savings)

NYSERDA made a great cost calculator to compare electric cost vs gas cost for operating various landscaping equipment.

• NYSERDA_Electric-Landscaping-Equipment-Certfication-CALCULATOR
• or go here: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Clean-Energy-Communities/High-Impact-Actions/Toolkits/Electric-Landscaping-Equipment

Comparing costs associated with using 1 of each of the tools (9 different tools in the calculation), the Electric equipment is 7x cheaper (at 36 cents/kwh compared to the gas equipment using gas at $3.64/gal) and results in 14 metric ton CO2e reduction in GHG. It saves money, health, and GHG.

• Electric cost was 16.5cents for supply+18.14 cents for distribution+0.68 cents for system benefit charge = $0.36/kwh, June 2024

PROFESSIONAL REVIEW of different Electric Tools

• https://www.protoolreviews.com/category/tools/outdoor-equipment/
• Note, we are not advocating for any of these tools, nor have we vetted this review site.
• We offer it here simply as another voice in your decision making.

INCENTIVES for Electric Equipment

• for municipalities – NYSERDA has a Clean Energy Community program specific to landscaping, see here:
  • https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Clean-Energy-Communities/High-Impact-Actions/Toolkits/Electric-Landscaping-Equipment
• for landscaping business – currently there is a bill in the NYS Assembly to try to provide rebates.
• I don’t know of any incentive for homeowners, but my 87 year old mom loves her electric lawn mower for her 1/2 acre yard-
  • its quiet, its light, and easy to use
  • there is no pull cord (just a button)
  • no messy errand with a gas canister in the back of her car, and
  • it mulches the grass beautifully building soils, increasing water infiltration, and conserving nutrients

NATURALIZING the LANDSCAPE

Definition:

A nice reference page on natural lawns: https://cornellbotanicgardens.org/explore/on-campus-natural-areas/native-lawn-demonstration-area/all-about-our-native-lawn/

Things to incorporate with co-benefits

• reduced nitrogen fertilizer (producing synthetic nitrogen is super energy intensive and release N2O, a potent GHG)
• mulching grass for improved water infiltration and nutrient cycling
• trees as natural air conditioning
• reduced or eliminated pesticides for improved habitat for wildlife
• select mowing allows for seasons of grass nesting birds etc.
• rainwater collection for reduce irrigation costs

Want to Learn More?

Check out these resources:

• FACT SHEETS
• PPTs
• WEBINAR Recordings.