Healthy Lawns / Healthy Rivers

Fertilizer and other things we put on our lawns are a significant source of pollution in our rivers and the Bay. More than a year ago Frank Gouin, a University of Maryland professor and author of the Bay Weekly’s Bay Gardener column, gave a presentation to W/RR members of his simple method for maintaining a healthy lawn that is also healthy for the rivers. W/RR members who care for their own lawns have used Frank’s method with success. But, those who use lawn care companies have asked us how they can be sure that their lawn care company does it right. Now we have an answer—the West/Rhode Riverkeeper Growing Green lawn care program.

The Bay Gardener’s method has been boiled down to ten commonsense principles. The principles are set forth in a one-page PLEDGE. Click on the PLEDGE and print it out or call our office, 410.867.7171, and we will send it to you. Then, ask your lawn care company to sign the PLEDGE. If your lawn care company won’t sign the PLEDGE, here are several lawn care companies who have agreed to provide the PLEDGE to their customers. Please let us know how your lawn care company responds. If they cooperate, we will add them to our list. If you believe that a company that has given the PLEDGE is failing to live up to it, please let us know that, as well.

If you care for your own lawn and missed Frank’s presentation, just follow the principles set out in the PLEDGE. If you have questions, give us a call and we will do our best to get you an answer. Several of the companies on our list can also give you advice and assistance on how to downsize your lawn by planting native trees and shrubs and how to build rain gardens.

Let us know that you have adopted the program, and we will send you a small, attractive yard sign that will let your neighbors know that you care about our rivers.