Landscape sustainability checkup

Is your yard ready to be an "Oregon Sustainable Landscape"?

Water Efficiently

• Design a WaterWise landscape that does not need water after plants become established. These landscapes often use native plants.
• Group plants in the landscape by irrigation need.
• Mow lawns at proper height for attractive turf, encouraging a deeper and more drought tolerant root system: bentgrass 1", perennial rye 2", fescue 2"
• Calibrate sprinkler system to apply 3/4 ” to 1" of water with each application.
• Have a rain gauge to track irrigation amounts.
• Do not start in-ground irrigation systems too early in spring. Shut off the system in fall.
• Use drip or micro-sprinkler systems where practical.

Mulch

• Maintain a 2-3" layer of organic mulch over tree roots, around shrubs, and over plant beds, while leaving a 2" space between plant stems or trunks & the mulch.
• Create self mulching areas under trees and shrubs where leaves can remain. Use by-product mulches like fir bark or recycled mulches.
• Replenish mulches when needed to maintain the 2-3" depth.

Recycle

• Recycle grass clippings by leaving them on the lawn.
• Use your leaves or conifer needles as mulch.
• Create and maintain a compost pile with yard trimmings, leaves, kitchen scraps.
• Don't burn yard waste. Recycle organic material into mulch or compost.
• Use a push or non-gas powered mower.
• Use hand tools for raking, edging, and pruning.

Wildlife

• Plant vines, shrubs and trees to provide cover, nesting sites and food for birds, pollinators and other wildlife.
• Provide a water source such as a birdbath or a small pond for wildlife.
• Provide wildlife shelters such as a bat house, bird house, or brush pile.
• Identify five kinds of wildlife ( birds, reptiles, insects ) that live in your yard.

Yard pests

• Learn to identify 5 beneficial insects that provide natural control of harmful pests.
• Check your landscape weekly for signs of problems.
• Know primary pests of your plants and when to target these pests. Avoid indiscriminate spraying.
• Use non-chemical approaches to control pest such as pruning to improve air circulation, hand removal of insects, sanitation, and planting disease resistant plants.
• If necessary, use environmentally friendly pesticides such as insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils as your first choice.
• Store pesticides in a water tight container away from kids. Never leave sprayers filled with pesticides . Always read the label.

Edible landscape

• Grow fruit
• Grow vegetables
• Utilizes land for meat , egg, honey, or milk production
• Grow grains or dried beans
• Save seeds for future use

Fertilizing

• Create healthy soil with compost.
• Fertilize to maintain healthy plants; do not promote excessive growth that attracts insects.
• Use natural organic or other slow release fertilizers.

Stormwater runoff

• Direct downspouts and gutters to drain onto the lawn, plant beds, or containment areas away from foundations.
• Use groundcovers or mulch on thinly vegetated areas to decrease erosion.
• Use porous surfaces for walkways, patios and driveways.
• Collect and use rainwater to irrigate plants.
• Create swales and terraces to catch or filter rainfall.
• Pick up after pets in your yard and on walks to reduce bacterial and nutrient pollution in storm drain systems.
• Clean up oil spills and leaks with cat litter.
• Sweep grass clippings, fertilizer, and soil from driveways onto the lawn. Remove yard waste from street gutters.

Stream side

• Remove invasive exotic plants in riparian areas.
• Establish or maintain a border of low maintenance plants between your lawn and the stream side to absorb nutrients and hold the soil during times of high water.
• Establish a 30 to 60 foot "no fertilizer zone" along your riparian area.
• Know what pesticides are toxic to fish and should not be used near riparian areas.

Right plant, right place

• Ensure the landscape does not contain plants identified by legal code as invasive. ( English Ivy, Butterfly Bush )
• Replace problem prone plants with low maintenance natives or non-natives.
• Create landscapes that are drought tolerant on the perimeter and more moisture loving near activity areas of the home.
• Determine how much lawn you need to water for pets, children, and recreation. Let the other turf areas dry out in summer.
• Use trees and shrubs to shade the east and west walls of your home.
• Use deciduous trees on south and west exposures to shade your home in summer and allow solar heating in winter.
• Reduce yard waste by using plants that don't require frequent pruning at maturity.
• Preserve native trees when building on a new site. Maintain an undisturbed area under the tree out to at least the drip line.