Other Plants:
What types of shrubs, trees, etc. do you like?

Try native plants, they don’t need our help to survive! These plants are specially adapted over thousands of years to deal with the insects, diseases, climate, and weather conditions of their home area. They don’t need extra fertilizer, extra water, or pesticides to live a long, healthy life. And their beauty is renown, from the stately sycamore and oaks to the viburnmums and laurels. If you find a non-native plant that you must have, pick one that needs little maintenance (check with your nursery). This will result in less work for you and less water usage, fertilizer and pesticides for the Sound.

If you have actively decided to have a traditional yard, follow the information and suggestions below to do to make it as environmentally and Sound friendly as possible.

Yard Care

Tailoring yard care practices to local environmental conditions will help reduce the need to add nutrients and pesticides. Evaluate the condition of the lawn area to help select appropriate grass species for the site.

The proper match between conditions and plant species (including grass seed) can help reduce many of the problems associated with yard care. Different conditions may be found even within one lawn and factors such as shade, drainage, pH, low nutrient availability, high salt concentrations, and heavy traffic- all contributing to a negative affect on turf grass growth. A soil test is the fundamental first step to any yard care program. Too often, fertilizers (and pesticides) are applied without knowing exactly what is recommended for the particular lawn or garden being treated. Proper soil pH enhances the ability of plants to utilize available nutrients, tolerate hot and dry weather, and resist disease. Since most soil in the northeast is acidic (low pH), the application of lime may correct this condition and fertilizer may not be needed. Testing your soil’s pH can save you valuable time and money.

It is possible to maintain your lawn without the use of pesticides, while keeping it attractive, by taking actions to ensure a healthy lawn. This may require a slight adjustment of your standards – you may see an occasional weed or dead spot in your lawn. But problems such as these can be kept to a minimum and your lawn will be vigorous and healthy, with increased tolerance to disease.
Actions to ensure a Healthy Lawn and Reduced Impact on Long Island Soundÿ Test soil pH and add lime accordingly.

• This will result in better nutrient and water retention.
– Aerate soil to promote water infiltration and deep root growth.

• Deep root growth helps crowd out weeds and makes for healthy grass
– If possible, shrink your lawn to what you need for use and then use other low growing groundcovers in the rest of the yard.
– Grow native plants.
– Sharpen lawn mower blades.

• dull blades can tear grass, giving it a frayed look and making it more susceptible to disease.
– Leave grass clippings and add compost to soil to increase organic content
– Keep grass 3 inches tall.

• Shorter grass is susceptible to weeds, has less surface area for taking in sunlight, and has weak roots.

• Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blades’ height at any one time.
– Three to Four pounds of nitrogen (grass clippings with a layer of compost is just about the right amount) per 1,000 square feet annually is usually enough

• Over fertilization will runoff into waterways and actually makes grass more vulnerable to disease. Additionally, it makes the lawn grow faster, so you have to mow more often.

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