Bay-Wise Gardening (Water Quality Issues in

the Landscape:What Can I Do to Solve the

Problem?)

The University of Maryland is equal opportunity. The University’s policies, programs, and activities are The University of Maryland is equal opportunity. The University’s policies, programs, and activities are

in conformance with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding in conformance with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, and disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, and disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended: Title IX of the Educational Amendments; Section 504 of VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended: Title IX of the Educational Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements should be directed to the Director of Personnel/Human Relations, Office of the Dean, requirements should be directed to the Director of Personnel/Human Relations, Office of the Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Symons Hall, College Park, MD 20742.College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Symons Hall, College Park, MD 20742.

University of Maryland Extension

(UME)• The College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

is part of UMCP and UMES• Our college has three parts:

– Undergraduate and Graduate Instruction– Agricultural Experiment Station (AES)– University of Maryland Extension (UME)

• UME has offices in all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City and at 4 Research and Education Centers

Major UME Programs

• Agriculture and Natural Resources– Production Ag/Commercial Horticulture– Home Horticulture (HGIC)

• Maryland Master Gardener – Bay-Wise Program– Natural Resources & Water Quality

• Maryland Master Naturalist

• Family and Consumer Science– Food, Nutrition & Health education– Financial education

• 4-H Youth Development

Gardening Questions?

• Contact the

Maryland residents call:

(800) 342-2507 – M-F, 8-1 or 24/7

www.hgic.umd.edu

Out of state call 410-531-1757

Bay-Wise Landscape Care

• Why should I care?

• What should I do?

• How do I do it?

WHY SHOULD I CARE?

The Bay is Economically Important

Photo of harvest scene

(webpage electronic photo image, Kate Naughten, CBPO;

35 mm slide, CBPO)

Economy

The Bay is Important for Recreation and

Tourismphoto of recreational use scene

(webpage electronic photo image, EPA;

35 mm slide, Steve Delaney, for EPA)

Recreation

The Bay Provides Important Habitat for

Wildlifephoto of habitat scene with wildlife

(webpage electronic photo image, EPA;

35 mm slide, USFWS)

Natural Habitat

Where Does the Bay Start?

• photo of person near creek or culvert in residential area

• (photo, CBPO)

What Are the Pollutants That We

Are Concerned About?

• Nutrients– Phosphorus– Nitrogen

• Sediments

• Toxics/contaminants

Nutrients

Organic material such as manure, pet waste, leaves and grass clippings

Over-fertilized water

Decaying algae & water weeds

Nutrients

ORGANIC MATERIAL:

manure

pet waste

leaves

grass clippings

fertilizer

Sources of Nitrogen

• Agriculture

• Sewage treatment plants

• Electric power plants

• Lawns

• Bathrooms & kitchens

• Automobiles

Phosphorus

• Occurs in soil as dissolved or solid

• Strongly bound to soil

• Most lost through erosion

• Can leach from P-saturated soils

Sediments

• Fill in lakes & streams

• Trigger flooding

• Obstruct light to aquatic plants & animals

• Bury sedentary aquatic plants & animals

Each year, farmers lose 3 to 4 tons

of soil per acre to erosion.

Toxics

AtrazineAtrazine CadmiumCadmium

DiazinonDiazinon ChromiumChromium

MalathionMalathion LeadLead

ChlordaneChlordane ZincZinc

DeildrinDeildrin

WHAT SHOULD I DO?HOW DO I DO IT?

To prevent problems in my local water system?

In the Neighborhood

• Obey pooper-scooper laws

• Pick up litter, remind others to do the same

• Learn where your storm drain goes

• Report spills & other stream problems to proper authorities

Around the House

• Dispose of hazardous products properly

• Use environmentally-friendly cleansers

• Buy only quantities you need

• Avoid wasteful packaging

• Turn lights off when not in use

• Use high efficiency light bulbs

Concerning Cars

• If possible, wash car where suds cannot enter storm drains, i.e., on your lawn

• Recycle used oil & antifreeze

• Walk or bike, when possible

• Take public transportation or carpool

On Lawns

• Select the proper type of grass

• Cultivate a thick, healthy turf

• Allow established turf to go dormant during summer

• Mow at the proper height

• Grass-cycle

• Use groundcovers where grass is hard to grow

Fertilizing Lawns

• Test soil for pH and phosphorus

Fertilizers

• use slow release / organic types

• apply in the Fall ~ 1.8-2.7 lbs. N per year

• keep off hard surfaces

• Replace turf with low maintenance groundcover

In the Landscape

• Compost yard waste

• Keep paved surfaces to a minimum

• Rethink/reduce your lawn

• Maintain dense, healthy plant cover over your entire yard

• Group plants in mulched beds

• Terrace steep slopes

In the Landscape,

cont.• Plant drought-tolerant plants• Use soaker hose or drip irrigation instead

of sprinkler• Direct downspouts away from paved

surfaces and onto grass or mulched areas• After seeding and planting, use mulch• Control pests sensibly• Conserve energy

In the Vegetable Garden

• Water with soaker hose or drip irrigation• Use raised beds with solid sides• Use mulch cover between rows• Plant a cover crop• Control pests sensibly • Add organic matter regularly via

compost

FollowBay-Wise

Best Management Practices

FollowBay-Wise

Best Management

Practices

Using the MD Yardstick

Bay-Wise Actions

• Fertilize Wisely• Water Efficiently• Control Stormwater

Runoff• Mulch Appropriately• Recycle Yard Waste

• Manage Yard Pests with IPM

• Plant Wisely• Encourage Wildlife• Protect the

Waterfront

How does your landscape

measure up?

The End

Bay-WiseMaryland Yardstick

ProgramWanda MacLachlan

Area Educator – Environmental Management

11975 Homewood RoadEllicott City, MD 21042-1545

410-531-5973 wtm@umd.edu

www.baywise.umd.edu