Adopted two or more recommended practices that enhance plant growth while minimizing inputs (fertilizer, water, chemicals, time, etc.)
- Analyzed site conditions before planting
- Found out what the plant needed before planting (ask Extension, reference book, nurseryman)
- Examined the root system of container grown tree/shrub before purchasing
- Planted a more appropriate/new cultivar (flower, fruit, vegetable, tree, shrub)
- Removed a shrub that was pest prone
- Purchased a tree/shrub that was less pest prone
- Tested for soil drainage
- Fertilized at the best time (lawns, trees, shrubs, vegetables)
- Properly spaced plants
- Pruned correctly
- Mulched flower beds, vegetables, etc.
- Planted trees/shrubs by digging a wide hole
- Planted trees/shrubs in the fall
- Reseeded lawn at correct time
- Mowed lawn at the recommended height
- Mowed lawn with a sharp blade
- Pruned fruit to increase sunlight and air circulation
- Pruned shade trees correctly
- Practiced crop rotation
- Allowed fescue lawn to go semi-dormant in the summer
- Use ground cover or mulch instead of grass in areas of heavy shade
- Started or increase composting
- Watered during the best time of day
- Did not use irrigation system based strictly on a time clock
- Grouped plants based on their water needs
- Used drip or trickle irrigation
- Recycled yard waste
- Left grass clipping on the lawn
- Aerated the lawn
- Decreased the amount of paved area
- Reused grey water
- Reduced water and runoff by not watering hard surfaces (drive, road)
- Reduced water and runoff by turning water off before/when runoff occurred
- Measured the amount of water applied
- Kept grass clippings off of paved surfaces
- Fertilized trees and shrubs in the fall (instead of spring)
- Maintained a dense lawn
- Directed runoff water onto the lawn instead of onto paved surfaces
- Increased use of ground covers to reduced soil erosion
- Swept fertilizer off hard surfaces
- Recycled leaves/plant debris in natural areas
- Created a water diversion
- Collected rain water for watering plants
- Reduced soil erosion by mulching
- Planted a fall cover crop in the vegetable garden
- Planted a buffer strip (ground cover/lawn) around vegetable garden, pet pens
- Created a rain garden
- Used drought tolerant plants
- Incorporated organic matter into the soil
- Pruned at the correct time
- Used plants to attract birds
- Used plants to attract/feed butterflies
- Used plants to attract bees
- Built a bat house
- Built/installed a birdhouse
- Created a buffer area near road/stream/lake
Adopted two or more recommended practices that reduce pesticide or fertilizer misuse and water contamination
- Had a soil test taken
- Used slow release fertilizers
- Applied fertilizer at the best time (fall; not before a rain)
- Applied the correct amount of fertilizer
- Calibrated fertilizer spreader
- Used a drop spreader instead of a centrifical spreader
- Avoided applying fertilizer to paved surfaces or swept up
- Decreased the amount of fertilizer used
- Fertilized based on the amount of plant growth
- Used an organic or slow release fertilizer
- Fertilized fescue lawn in Sept, November, Feb.-- not in the summer
- Planted ground covers on the bank near the road instead of growing grass
- Kept leaves away from storm drains and ditches
- Limed to corrected low pH
- Used beneficial insects
- Identified beneficial insects
- Not using or purchasing a bug zapper
- Read the pesticide label before using
- Applied a pesticide at the optimum time for control
- Cleaned-up (vegetable, fruit, roses) and disposed of plant debris in the fall/winter
- Reduced pesticide usage
- Properly disposed of unused pesticide tank mixture
- Used cultural methods to reduce/prevent diseases
- Practiced crop rotation
- Used insect traps
- Properly stored pesticide containers
- Increased plant diversity
- Considered cultural methods to control pest
- Pinched off and destroyed insect eggs
- Grew plants to attract/encourage beneficial insects
- Planted disease resistant trees/shrub cultivars/species
