Lawns and Gardens

Beautify Your Home, Save Money & Water
Native and adapted plants are naturally drought-tolerant and resistant to pests and diseases. The less watering, fertilizing, and chemical control required in your yard, the more you contribute to helping protect the water quality of our streams, lakes, and aquifers.

Don’t Bag It
Use a mulching mower, and leave lawn clippings on your lawn. This allows the grasses to reuse nutrients, keeping your lawn healthier and decreasing fertilizer requirements.

Mow High
Growing your grass a bit longer can help slow storm runoff from your lawn, and keeps your lawn healthier. Most lawns should be mowed to a height of 2 to 3 inches.

Yard Trimmings are Valuable
Compost your yard trimmings. You will be creating a beneficial soil conditioner that will reduce the fertilizer and watering requirements for the plants in your landscape.

Gutters to Lawn
Be sure that your house gutters and downspouts discharge onto the lawn or into landscaping beds, not onto paved surfaces. You’ll avoid washing pollutants off driveways, and the extra water helps reduce irrigation requirements.

Keep Drains Clean
Keep your storm gutters and drains clean of leaves and yard trimmings. Decomposing leaves and yard waste release nutrients into waterways and foster the growth of algae.

Sweeping into Storm Drains Only Makes it Worse
Do not sweep lawn clippings, leaves, or other wastes into the street or storm drains. Instead, leave them on your lawn, compost them, or discard in the trash.

Reduce Turf Areas
Turf grass can be a high maintenance yard material, often requiring fertilizing, disease control and regular irrigation. Consider options such as native and adapted plant beds or mulched or native areas to reduce the need for chemicals, water, and mowing.

Choose Landscaping Services Wisely
Are you thinking of using a professional lawn care service? Select a company that uses trained technicians. Ask if employees have nurseryman certificates or other professional training certificates.