Says the EPA: Most trees and shrubs get all the nutrients they need from the soil, but annuals, vegetable gardens and lawns sometimes need additional nutrients from a fertilizer.
The EPA recommends that you look for products with “natural organic” or “slow-release” ingredients. Unlike “quick-release” fertilizers, the EPA says, natural organic or slow-release fertilizers feed your plants slowly and evenly. The result? Healthier plants with strong root systems and no excessive “top growth.”

According to New Hampshire’s Department of Environmental Services, you can reduce your cooling and heating bills by as much as 30 percent by landscape planning.

And – you knew we were going to say this, didn’t you? – the way you landscape your yard has a big effect on the environment.

Plant native species suited to the area, and look for plant and grass species that require less water. What types of grasses are growing in your lawn? Says New Hampshire’s Department of Environmental Services: Where you need to have a lawn, a mixture of grasses (such as fine and tall fescue, perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass), clover and legumes is the ideal combination.
The mix of the different species requires less nitrogen fertilizer, less water, is more resistant to diseases and pests, and provides a more hospitable environment for beneficial insects.
Some tips from the EPA: