The Big Picture

1.  True. To put this in perspective, consider that if lawns were classified as a crop, they would rank as the fifth largest in the country on the basis of area, after corn, soybeans, wheat and hay.

2.  Homeowners usually apply excessive amounts of fertilizers to lawns and gardens.

3.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency, urban stormwater is a significant contributor to the environmental damage to lakes, rivers, and streams.

The Big Picture

1. If you said True, you are probably spending a lot of money for nutrients that your landscape doesn't need and in turn contributing to water pollution. To find out what nutrients are needed, if any, you must do a soil test.

2.  If you said True, you may be spending a lot more money than needed on water bills. To reduce this cost, you can use plants that require less water or calibrate your irrigation system to use just what's needed.

3.  If you said True, your lawn may not be as healthy as you'd like and may require more care than if you mowed longer. Low mowing can weaken the grass, expose the grass crowns to sunburn, and may encourage weed growth.

Kentucky bluegrass should be maintained at a mowing height of 2 to 2 1/2  inches. As a rule, no more than one third of the grass blade should be removed.

4. If you said True, you are among the few to do so. However, just one gram of dog feces can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria plus other bacteria that could be transported to rivers by stormwater.

5. Yes, this is true. Common weeds can accumulate iron in the soil, as well as, attract beneficial insects.

6. If you said True, you are probably reducing the fertilizers, pesticides and water needed to make plants grow in your yard.

7. Everyone should know enough about their property to make wise decisions and reduce costs even if someone else takes care of your landscape maintenance.

Return to How Do You Measure Up? page

Return to Water $mart Landscape page