Everyone has heard the phrase "the grass is always greener," but the simple fact is most lawn care practices aren't green at all.

Many Americans strive to have a groomed green plot. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates about 54 million Americans rev their lawnmowers each weekend to trim their turf. Yet, few know this simple maintenance creates 5 percent of the nation's air pollution.

There are many alarming statistics on the health and environmental effects of lawn care, but that doesn't mean you should crop mowing from your honey-do list and let your grass grow wild. Let's face it, not many homeowners' associations would let you anyway.

Luckily, there are plenty of eco-friendly ways to keep your lawn lush without withering your bank account. In fact, a few simple switches can rake in some savings.

Over-Hydration Soaks The Nation

According to Low Impact Living, the average lawn uses 20,000 gallons of water in a single summer, creating runoff and increasing water bills.

The environmental impact of watering the estimated 31 million acres of American lawns is astounding. Approximately 30 to 60 percent of urban water supplies are used on watering lawns, according to the authors of "Redesigning the American Lawn." But the secret to sumptuous sod doesn't lie with daily sprinkler dates drenching your digs. Healthy lawns only require about one inch of water once a week, according to the EPA.

Over-watering isn't just wasteful, either; it could also hurt your health. Extra moisture can create a breeding ground for molds and generate runoff, which carries pollutants into nearby natural habitats.

Still, plants do need water to stay healthy and there are several great methods of maximizing water usage while minimizing waste of natural and financial resources.

• Watch the weather. Rainwater is free, eliminates the need to drag out the hose and is better for your plants, since it doesn't contain chlorine or other chemicals found in most water systems.
• Collect and use rainwater. According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, about 700 gallons of water rush off a single rooftop during a rain storm. Place a rain barrel underneath a gutter to create a mini-reservoir for use on indoor and outdoor plants. Rain barrels can be purchased at garden supply centers or can easily be made. Check out this DIY guide.
• Water in off-peak hours. When temperatures are at their highest, water will evaporate quickly instead of getting to grass roots efficiently. Opt for an early-morning or evening drizzle.
• Sprinkle efficiently. Make sure your sprinkler fits your yard, isn't on for too long, and isn't wasting water by spraying sidewalks or decks.
• Don't mow in the heat of the day. Freshly cut grass loses water and evaporation accelerates the process, leaving your lawn thirsting to recover.

Thankfully, it's easy to gauge if your lawn needs water without a fancy moisture-reading device. If you can push a screwdriver into your lawn, it doesn't need to be watered. Similarly, if your grass springs back easily after being stepped on, it has enough moisture.

Let It Grow, Let It Grow, Let It Grow

An easy way to save money and time is by growing native plant species, which are attuned to the soil, climate and water conditions in your area.

They are likely to be cheaper, more resilient, resistant to local pests and will require less maintenance than imported plants. You can consult an online resource like NativeGrasses.com, which can help you select seed by state, region, or desired effect, or ask a local landscaper for suggestions.

Another way to save is by doing less. Let the grass grow -- perhaps a little longer than you're used to. Taller grass is healthier grass -- so cut back and save on maintenance time while extending the life of your equipment.

According to GreenOptions.com, taller grass shades the soil, reduces evaporation, helps prevent weeds, discourages nuisance insects and can tolerate dry conditions. Organic advocates recommend setting mower blades between 2 and 3 inches, according to LocalMotion.

Green Mowing Cuts Grass And Gas

Petroleum products and gas-burning engines have bad environmental reputations, so it's not surprising lawnmowers are pollution culprits. A 2001 Swedish study found one hour of cutting grass with a gas lawnmower produced as much air pollution as a 100-mile car trip.

What's worse? Gas-powered machines may cost you at the clinic. Small engines belch large amounts of carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and other smog-making materials in high concentrations. Breathing these in can irritate respiratory conditions and aggravate heart conditions.

Pouring gallons of increasingly expensive gasoline into a mower when more efficient models exist doesn't make long-term financial sense. By swapping a gas-guzzling mower for a push mower powered by renewable elbow grease, you can clip those gallons from your budget.

Push mowers -- also called manual or reel mowers -- cost hundreds less than their gas-powered relatives, are easy to maintain and provide quiet, eco-friendly mowing. Modern designs don't require much more effort than power mowers, though they do take a little more time. Push mowers are not practical for everyone, however, as they have difficulty in areas with lots of sticks, thick weeds, and rocks.

If physical limitations or rugged terrain eliminate the push-mower option, fear not. Electric lawnmowers -- solar, cordless, or corded -- offer the same functionality as gas-powered lawnmowers. Cordless models are better suited for smaller yards, since most batteries drain in about an hour, according to Clean Air Gardening, which offers a host of models you can compare on its Web site.

Along a similar line, try ditching the gas-powered leaf-blower and grab a rake or a broom. If need be, there are electric leaf blowers as well, which don't emit smog-inducing gases.

However, electric options do cost more money than manual alternatives and the environmental benefits are dependent on the efficiency of your power grid.

If a replacement mower isn't in your budget this year, there are still some adjustments you can make that will benefit your lawn, wallet and the planet.

The most earth-friendly fertilizers are free. Leaving the clippings from a recent mow on your lawn will help it retain moisture and return nutrients to the soil as the grass decomposes. To go for the gusto, use compost to fertilize your lawn instead of petroleum-based products, thus saving yourself money and errands while retaining a lawn that boasts bodacious blades.