BACK YARDS ON THE BAY
A yard care guide for the coastal homeowner

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• TABLE OF CONTENTS
  
• INTRODUCTION
  

• SECTION 1: Diagram of good vs. bad backyard on the bay

• SECTION 1A: Salt Marsh Diagram

• SECTION 2: Evaluation of your yard's impact on the Bay.

• SECTION 3: Bay friendly yard care tips

• SECTION 4: Coastal Erosion and Seawalls

• SECTION 5: Septic Systems

• SECTION 6: How to create a buffer of Native Plants

• SECTION 7: How to determine if you need a permit

• APPENDIX 1: Coastal Buffer
  Site Plan
• APPENDIX 2: 
  Native Plant List
• APPENDIX 3: Invasive Plants
• APPENDIX 4: Planting Guidelines
• APPENDIX 5: Sources of Native Plants
• APPENDIX 6: Technical Assistance
• APPENDIX 7: References and Sources of Information

Appendix 4: Planting Guidelines

• The following are general planting guidelines for most trees and shrubs.
• Make sure you read the specific guidelines for each plant or ask the nursery staff for specific information. Additional information may also be obtained from the Master Gardener Hotline. Call 1-800-448-1011.

1. Dig the planting hole the same depth as the root ball and two to three times wider. Ensure you read the spacing requirements for each plant species. Fill the hole with water and let the water seep into the soil.
2. If a potted plant, water the plant and then carefully remove the plant from the pot. If the plant is field grown, the root ball may be wrapped in burlap or plastic reinforced material. Untie or cut the material and remove it if possible, or lay the burlap back into the hole making sure to bury the burlap completely. Exposed burlap dry out and pull moisture from the root ball.
3. If the plant is root bound, with lots of roots wrapped around the outside of the root ball, gently loosen the root ball to aid the roots in spreading or cut the outside layer of roots to stimulate new root development.
4. Place the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is even with the soil’s surface. When filling the hole with soil, be sure to fill in any air pockets around the root ball. Fill the hole in halfway and then add more water and let seep into the soil. Do not spread soil on top of the root ball.

   Note: If the soil is extremely poor, fill the hole with good quality topsoil.

5. Use the remaining soil to create a two to four inch berm at the edge of the planting hole.
6. Water thoroughly after planting
7. Add a three to four inch layer of mulch around the plant to retain moisture and discourage weeds. Do not pile mulch against the plant stem or trunk.
8. Follow the watering schedule below during the plant’s establishment phase which varies from a few months for most one-gallon size plants to several years for large trees (even drought-tolerant plants require consistent moisture). Once established the native coastal plants should not require any watering.

Week 1: Water daily

Week 2-3: Every two days

Week 4-6: Twice per week

Week 7-12: Once per week

Weed out competing weeds until plants become established (between 1 to 2 seasons).