Lawns resembling wildflower meadows are impractical in most gardens and quite difficult to do well. Fortunately, you can keep a traditional lawn looking neat, and be green at the same time.

Most chemicals are unnecessary for routine care of ordinary lawns. Troubles can usually be avoided by encouraging the grass to grow strongly. Cutting the lawn too short and taking too much off in one mowing session weakens the grass plants, turning the lawn yellow and giving moss and other weeds a chance to invade. In the problem areas, such as shady or badly drained sites, the answer is to grow something other than a lawn - perhaps low-growing evergreens that are happy in the poor conditions.

Powered mowers contribute to air pollution, either from the mower engine or the power station providing the electricity, so you could consider a hand mower if you don't have a very big lawn. They are much much easier to push than the old-fashioned ones - have a go and be surprised.

If you remove the mowings from your lawn every time you cut it, the soil in which the lawn is growing will gradually become less fertile. One solution is to leave the clippings on every third cut. If you mow little and often, you won't get clumps of clippings so you could let them drop every time. Or you could use a mulching mower that cuts up the mowings into tiny pieces so they are not visible when left on the lawn.

If you really must collect the mowings, then they are great for the compost heap. However, because you are robbing the lawn of its nutrients, you'll need to apply some lawn fertiliser, but remember that although nitrogen is important for leafy plants, high levels result in excessive growth. Avoid the extra mowing by studying the fertiliser's contents, and choosing a slow-release type to feed the lawn gradually so it doesn't race away. For a good green colour without fast growth, choose a fertiliser containing iron.

If you are still keen on a wildflower meadow, then create a mini-meadow as a clearly defined, unmown section of your lawn - leave a strip or corner and cut it after the grasses and any wildflowers have gone to seed. And for a different approach altogether, you could consider an alternative to grass.