BACKYARDS ON THE BAY A yard care guide for the coastal homeowner
-
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
Take our quick evaluation of your yard’s potential
impact
Section 2: Does Your Yard Impact the Bay?
How to use this chart:
- Determine which of your yard maintenance activities have either a low or high impact on the Bay’s water quality and salt marshes.
- Circle your yard’s impact level in the right column for each section.
- Refer to the page number under each heading for specific tips on how to maintain your yard in the most "Bay friendly" manner.
|
Low Impact |
High Impact |
Your Impact |
|
|
Grass is kept at a height of 3-4 inches and clippings are left on the lawn. A "no mow" area is maintained along the edge of the shoreline. |
Grass is cut too short and clippings are removed and bagged. |
Low High |
|
|
Lawn areas are minimized and are suited to soil type and light. Grass is drought and pest-resistant. |
Grass type is not suited to available light, soil type or climate. Grass is pest-prone. |
Low High |
|
|
Lawn is allowed to go dormant (brown, but alive) during periods of dry, hot weather. |
Watering is done during the heat of the day and is done without regard to amount of weekly rainfall. |
Low High |
|
|
|
Soil is tested for nutrients, and slow release organic fertilizers are used only if necessary. Fertilizer applied only in the spring or fall if necessary. |
Water-soluble synthetic fertilizers are used excessively by homeowner or professional lawn care company. |
Low High |
|
|
Problems are identified before taking action and natural alternatives are used (e.g. natural pest controls and mulching to control weeds). |
Chemicals are used without regard to label instructions or conditions and applied before pests are identified. Commercial applications are not pest specific. |
Low High |
|
Yard waste such as leaves and kitchen scraps are composted as far as possible from the shoreline. |
Yard waste such as leaves and brush are dumped along the shoreline or directly on the salt marsh causing native coastal plants to be smothered. |
Low High |
|
|
Spills |
Spills of fertilizers are swept up and properly disposed of or re-applied. |
Spills are not cleaned up and either, washed into a storm drain or allowed to remain and run off during rainstorms. |
Low High |
|
Yard is landscaped to slow or limit the amount of stormwater runoff. Buffers of native coastal plants exist between landscaped areas and the shoreline and are not mowed. |
Yard has a lot of paved surfaces causing water to runoff instead of soaking into ground. No buffer strip exists between landscaped areas and the shoreline. Eroding gullies or undercut banks are evident on the shoreline. |
Low High |
|
|
Driveways |
Area around driveway planted with plants to trap sediment and slow runoff. Driveway made of pervious material (crushed stone, shells, gravel). |
Driveway and sidewalk surfaces are not buffered with vegetation. |
Low High |
|
Septic system is maintained at least once every three years and chemicals are not dumped down household drains |
Soggy ground or slow drainage indicates system failure and is often remedied with harsh drain cleaners. |
Low High |
| TABLE OF CONTENTS | INTRODUCTION
| SECTION 1 | SECTION 2 | SECTION 3 | SECTION 4 | SECTION 5 | SECTION 6 |
SECTION 7 | APPENDIX 1 | APPENDIX 2 | APPENDIX 3 | APPENDIX 4 | APPENDIX 5 | APPENDIX 6 | APPENDIX 7 |
