Most of us take great pride in our lawns and we try to keep them looking great. Whether you enjoy mowing or find it an arduous task, it’s a necessary part of yard maintenance. Did you know that your gas lawn mower is a big source of pollution? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the “air pollution from an hours worth of grass cutting with a gasoline powered lawn mower is about the same as that from a 100-mile automobile ride”. Gas powered lawn mowers may contribute up to five percent of the nation’s air pollution. For most of us, there are few alternatives to our gas lawn mowers. There are, however, some things that you can do to reduce your lawn mowing. Allow your grass to grow longer and cut to a height of 2 inches when you mow. Using a mulching mower chops up the clippings which provide a source of food for your turf. Avoid excessive applications of nitrogen fertilizer as this will increase the growth rate of your lawn. Try replacing an application of nitrogen fertilizer with an application of gypsum. Gypsum is a natural soil amendment that will increases water infiltration which helps to get moisture down to the grass roots. It can also help to maximize the availability of the nutrients in your soil for your lawn.