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 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 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 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

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) – M-F, 8-1 or 24/7 Out of state call

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 Tourism photo of recreational use scene (webpage electronic photo image, EPA; 35 mm slide, Steve Delaney, for EPA) Recreation

The Bay Provides Important Habitat for Wildlife photo 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 AtrazineCadmium DiazinonChromium MalathionLead ChlordaneZinc Deildrin

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 ~ 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

Follow Bay-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-Wise Maryland Yardstick Program Wanda MacLachlan Area Educator – Environmental Management Homewood Road Ellicott City, MD