According to the calendar, it’s spring, based on the arrival of the equinox. For some people, thoughts turn to tackling fallow gardens. With environmental concerns abounding, even domestic greenery is subject to scrutiny and reconsideration.

There are many decisions to make about the outside of your home. Lawns are notoriously problematic, requiring plenty of water and prone to various infestations. From brown patches to crabgrass and dandelions, wrestling lawn issues has traditionally required enormous quantities of herbicides and fungicides. The sum of chemical doses plus watering leads to garden toxicity and local water contamination.

If you are committed to keeping those grassy swathes, more eco-friendly options are on the horizon. To cut down on dandelion infestations, researchers have been developing a biological control using a fungus, Phoma macrostoma, which may provide an alternative to chemical treatments, although it is not yet on the market. Other possibilities include careful application of salt or vinegar (often mixed with dish detergent) - although these will also kill grass if not used strategically - along with picking out individual dandelion plants.

In general, some choices may reduce the need for any intervention.

1. Leave grass at least three centimetres high. Longer blades gives more shade, holds in more moisture, and leads to longer roots and better coverage.

2. Leave grass clippings on the lawn. This provides a natural fertilizer. Excessive mulch can be composted.

3. Water once a week, usually in the early morning or evening. More frequent watering leads to shallower root systems and more invasive weeds. Consider drip irrigation, soaker hoses, timers, and other water conserving methods.

4. Choose appropriately hardy types of grass.

5. Rake the lawn in late spring or early summer. This will remove any dead grass and increase water absorption.

6. Fertilize twice a year using organic fertilizers.

7. Aerate the lawn to improve air and water circulation in the soil. June is a good time to do this - otherwise wait until the autumn. Apply compost after aerating.

8. Overseed to fill in bare patches. Loosen the soil, add compost or peat moss, and then sprinkle seeds. Avoid walking on any areas without grass.

9. Reduce the amount of lawn. Plant wildflowers, expand flower beds, or grow herbs and vegetables. Other plants typically require less water and attract fewer weeds and pests.

10. Encourage wildlife such as earthworms and ladybugs, which benefit the garden through aeration, fertilizing, and natural pest control.