Lawn and Gardening

Water quality monitoring has shown a direct link between the chemicals found in lawn care products and urban water quality (Barth 1995). It is clear that the type, quantity, and timing of materials used make a significant difference. One important variable is the quantity of chemicals being applied. Over or improper application at homes and other places is far too common. Of particular concern is the application of fertilizers and pesticides just before an intense storm event, since they may not have had time to be absorbed into the soil and plants. One study found up to 90 percent of herbicide was lost in runoff after being applied a few hours before a storm event (Schueler 1995).

You may wish to select this as an Action Issue in your jurisdiction if you have noticed that your citizens expend a lot of expense and effort to maintain their lawns and gardens. Lawn and gardening is usually a relevant issue in jurisdictions that have a lot of new development. Also, water quality monitoring data that show problems with nutrients and toxicity can be another reason to select lawn and gardening as an Action Issue.

Target Audiences

• Mainly homeowners and landlords.
• New homeowners who have never cared for a lawn before.

If you would like to educate lawn and landscaping services, contact your county NC Cooperative Extension agent.

Approaches

There are four important messages about water quality and lawn and gardening. You may choose to teach your citizens about all four of them or only one or two:

1. Test soil before applying fertilizers to make sure that fertilizers are applied at the appropriate rates. FREE soil tests can be obtained from the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Soil Testing Section.

2. Follow label directions to avoid causing significant damage to water quality (as well as their own health.

3. Sweep off of impervious surfaces to keep fertilizers and other chemicals from winding up in the storm drain. Also, keep yard waste off the curb and out of drainage ditches to prevent this source of nutrients from entering local streams.

4. Store chemicals properly to keep them from winding up in local waterbodies.

One of the best places to deliver the message is the point of purchase – garden centers and home improvement stores. Demonstrations at home shows and community events can also be very effective. 

Existing Educational Materials

Do not use any materials on this website without first contacting the sponsoring organization and obtaining their permission.

Slogans

• The more you know, the better you’ll grow. (Greensboro, NC)
• Our environment . . . begins with your yard. (Virginia Beach, VA)
• Be wise, don’t over fertilize. (MD DNR)
• When it comes to your lawn, act naturally. (King County, WA)

Mass Media: News Releases

• Municipal and Community Leaders Take Action on Public Education Strategies Encouraging Natural Gardening (CA)

Mass Media:  Radio Advertising and PSAs

• Cooperative Extension's PSAs

Videos

• “Mother Nature Knows Best” (Greensboro, NC)

Print Materials:  Brochures

• A Gardener’s Guide to Water Quality (NC Cooperative Extension)
• Landscaping for Water Quality Series (NC Cooperative Extension)
• Carolina Lawns (NC Cooperative Extension)

Print Materials:  Detailed Technical Information

• Lawn care Home*A*Syst Fact Sheet for the Piedmont and West (NC Cooperative Extension)
• Lawn care Home*A*Syst Fact Sheet for Coastal North Carolina (NC Cooperative Extension)
• Turf Tips Based on Grass Species (Dr. Art Bruneau, NCSU)
• Resource-Efficient Yard Care (NC Office of Pollution Prevention)
• Native Plant Recommendations (The North Carolina Wild Flower Preservation Society)
• Environmentally Responsible Landscaping (Pollution Prevention Outreach Team of Portland, OR)

Websites

• Caring for Your Lawns and the Environment (NC Cooperative Extension)
• New Hanover County Urban Horticulture Program (NC Cooperative Extension)
• Lawn Care (Charlotte, NC)
• Yard Waste (Charlotte, NC)
• Fertilization of Lawns, Gardens and Ornamentals (NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services)
• NC Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Recycling Program
• Fragile:  Handle with Care in the Yard (MD DNR)
• NCDA Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program (NCDA&CS)
• Pesticide Information (NC Dept. of Heath and Human Services)