Note: You can read the village's newsletter "One Square Mile"

By Mary Marvin, Mayor of Bronxville

June 11, 2025: Now that we are experiencing a wonderful influx of new young families to the Village, keeping it as safe as possible on every level is paramount.

Keeping Our Lawns Safe

With our lawns, often used as our children’s play areas, I thought it time to revisit the use of pesticides on lawns throughout the Village. As you may remember, the Village Trustees banned the use of pesticides on all municipal properties well over a decade ago. Many residents followed suit but we still see a profusion of little yellow pesticide flags throughout the Village.

As background, post World War II, all of the US chemical companies had warehouses full of potent chemicals left over from the war effort which they then re-purposed into chemicals and pesticides for our lawns.

This new industry came at the perfect time for the post war boom generation who wanted to be suburbanites with all the accoutrements that attached including manicured lawns and green foliage.

Lawns were equated with an approved lifestyle and the Department of Agriculture along with the Garden Clubs of America and the USA Golf Association promoted the gospel of grass. Best lawn contests were held in neighborhoods and uniformity encouraged.

Scientific studies simply did not keep pace with manufacturing and production so there is actually no reason to believe that just because something is on the store shelf, it is safe. You only have to look at the presence of Round Up on virtually every hardware store shelf to see that affirmed.

Chemicals used since the late 1960’s are now only being tested for toxicity. As example, those lawn flags stating the ground will be safe in 24 hours are not based on any scientific study, rather the result of a legislative compromise between the EPA, the large chemical companies and Congress.

Given what we now know from scientific research, the perfect lawn should not be a source of envy but a source of potential concern.

Conserving Water

On a similar front, at this time of year, it is clearly the exterior of our homes that consume the most water be it for lawns, shrubbery, plants or pools.

In the garden, mulching is a very cost-effective and eco-friendly way to retain moisture in soil. Spreading a layer of organic mulch such as wood chips or straw around plants, trees and shrubs will help prevent evaporation while keeping the soil cool and also suppressing weed growth. By reducing evaporation, you’ll be able to water less frequently while still providing essential hydration and nutrients.

In essence, whether it’s mulching or shade planting, the key to conserving water is to water wisely. Water during the cooler parts of the day such as early morning or evening to minimize evaporation. Install a rain sensor on your sprinkler system to prevent unnecessary watering during or after a rainfall and take care to angle the sprinklers correctly so that they are not watering driveways or sidewalks. Embrace drought tolerant plants or consider replacing high-water consuming plants with alternatives. Native plants are well adapted to the local climate and require less water in general to thrive. These plants have the ability to withstand periods of drought and not only conserve water but add a natural indigenous beauty to your landscape. Our local nurseries and gardening experts are well versed in choosing the most suitable plants.

Take advantage of the one positive of the heavy rainfall of late by collecting rainwater in barrels or cisterns, thus allowing the use of free and naturally soft water for irrigation. If you attach a rain barrel to your downspouts and store for later use, it’s a sustainable solution. In addition, many of the new barrels are really quite attractive urns that add a decorative accent to homes. Also, sweep paved surfaces instead of hosing them down and use a broom to clean outdoor spaces.

It really makes financial sense, with savings reaped, in a very short time frame to have a very efficient irrigation system and to spend the money to upgrade to maximize water efficiency. Most eco-friendly professionals encourage the use of drip irrigation or soaker hoses which deliver water directly to plant roots, minimizing waste from evaporation and runoff. Another option offered is to install a “smart” irrigation controller that programs a watering schedule based on weather conditions and soil moisture levels. These systems can save significant amounts of water by ensuring your plants receive the right amount of water at exactly the right time.

If you have a pool or spa, minimize water waste by covering the pool when not in use to reduce evaporation. Monitor and fix any leaks promptly to prevent unnecessary water loss and consider installing a pool filter timer to regulate filtration cycles, further reducing energy consumption and water usage.

Net net simple adjustments to our normal routines can make the Village healthier and more sustainable.

“Let us be good stewards of the Earth we inherited. All of us have to share the Earth’s fragile ecosystems and precious resources, and each of us has a role to play in preserving them. If we are to go on living together on this earth, we must all be responsible for it.” — Kofi Annan