Landscaping

Incorporate Sustainable Landscaping

Sustainable lawn care involves more than just ending the use of synthetic pesticides or herbicides. With sustainable landscaping, the soil, plants, and animals actually sustain each other.

'Keep It On Your Property' Philosophy

The primary approach is to keep everything on the owner's own landscaping; fertilizer, stormwater, grass clippings, leaves, and other reasonable yard waste that contributes to the yard's natural nutrients. Following the “keep it on your lawn” approach drives each property to serve the environment and can do so economically for your customers.

Find Alternatives to Grass

Consider grassy areas that could converted to any multitude of gardens such as meadow grasses, wildflower gardens, other alternative ground covers or rain gardens to lower the time and cost of mowing. (Rutgers student paper on alternative ground covers)

Keep it Natural

Follow the township fertilizer ordinance, which include blackout dates from November 1st to March 1st and requires certification (ProFACT certification). The Certified Fertilizer Applicator fee is $75 for the first year and a $25 annual fee for the subsequent three years. Encourage your clients to use organic fertilizer, compost, shredded leaves, and grass clippings to provide a lawn’s nutrients.

Strengthen the Soil

Testing soil is typically required and reduces costs when it may not be necessary. To build healthy soil, increase its organic matter, restore proper pH, and reduce the application of fungicides and acidic fertilizers.

Go Native

Incorporate a diversity of native plants and eliminate invasive or exotic species. To prevent pest destruction, avoid over-planting a single plant species. Find local native plant sales.

Let it Rain

Berkeley Heights is extremely sensitive to wet seasons. Because of soil composition, rainwater here tends to go directly into storm drains which has a higher potential to pollute waterways. The soil itself and plantings are the best filter for this water. The New Jersey Stormwater Best Practices Manual aims to design natural systems that get stormwater absorbed efficiently by both the land and plantings.

Apply water infrequently and allow the soil to dry in between. Native plants naturally endure droughts. Consider an irrigation audit to ensure best practices are being followed. Automatic irrigation systems are also required to have rain sensors to avoid overwatering.

Shift Away From Gas-Powered Lawn Mowing Equipment

There’s a growing awareness of the health implications and nuisance of leaf blowers and lawnmowers. The best practice is to shift away from leaf blowers and mowing as much as practicable so that leaves and grass clippings can naturally fertilize yards. Research options for electric equipment, so you can find opportunities to reduce noise but meet your customers’ needs. Berkeley Heights noise ordinance restricts the use of powered lawn equipment prior to 7 a.m. daily but encourages noises to be minimized until after 8 a.m.

Lawn Fertilizing Best Practices

A Crash Course on Lawn Fertilizing

Fertilizing your lawn can easily be a wasteful endeavor if done without certain considerations. Generally, fertilizer is best applied when plants need food or are actively growing. Otherwise, expensive fertilizer washes straight into storm drains.

Berkeley Heights’ ordinance is written accordingly, prohibiting the application of fertilizer with phosphorus and nitrogen between November 15 and February 15. Lawns go dormant in November and do not absorb any nutrients between those dates.

The law also requires the use of soil tests, and it is best practice to do one for the best results (explained below). The fertilizer law also requires all lawn care professionals who apply fertilizer to be certified so they know how and when to apply fertilizer.

Soil tests are available at garden stores, online, or visit Rutgers: Soil Testing Kits.

Why Be Careful?

A limited amount of nitrogen and phosphorus is important for healthy plant life. However, an overabundance not only harms lawns, but fertilizers washing into waterways can stimulate excessive algae and weed growth. This in turn depletes oxygen from the water and reduces the sunlight needed for healthy aquatic life. This is one-way algae blooms occur.

Soil tests save money by showing the appropriate application of nutrients and lime. Don't apply nutrients that your soil doesn't need; instead, invest in nutrients that will bring about healthy growth and yields.

Do not apply fertilizers to impervious surfaces such as driveways or sidewalks, where they might wash off into the street. Sweep fertilizer on impervious surfaces back into the grass or garden.

The Big Picture

Groundwater is part of the natural hydrological cycle: Water from rainfall infiltrates into the ground where either we capture it for consumption, or it evaporates (from surface water) or transpires (from vegetation) where clouds are eventually “seeded” to create rain.

We humans heavily influence this cycle. From the rain running off impervious surfaces until it rises back into the atmosphere, water carrying anything we store, drop, or dispose of on the ground can harm marine life.

It may not seem like much when it’s a few drops of oil, litter, or unabsorbed fertilizers, but it adds up when you include each dwelling, vehicle, and person in a township.

Think of your yard (soil, plants, trees) as a great filter. Water that is allowed to seep into the ground where it falls, filters nearly every harmful element that could otherwise wash directly into a storm drain and immediately into a stream, river, or ocean.

Trees

The most important thing you can do as a tree contractor is to get a permit. The permit process provides tracking for the town and helps fund the tree replacement program.

Also, involve an arborist when appropriate. Be sure to advise your customers on alternatives to removing mature and healthy trees. If you don't have an arborist on your team, consider recommending one for appropriate projects or having one on speed dial.

The goal is to keep the tree canopy intact and healthy.