Sustainable Landscape Maintenance
(Excerpts from Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association's ecoPRO -Guiding Principles & Sustainable Best Practices)
Sustainable landscapes can be aesthetically pleasing, ecologically resilient, and enduring in the ecoregion in which they are located. Its goal is “to create and maintain conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.”
Sustainable best practices focus on the environment while striving to be socially equitable and economically feasible. It encourages working within closed systems regarding organic matter and nutrient cycling. It aims to be pesticide-free.
Sustainable Landscape BMPs
Conserving energy
Using sustainable methods & materials
Protecting human health/ well-being
Ways to protect the Soil (and the other benefits of each action):
Base nutrient management for turf, trees, and shrubs on soil tests, tissue analysis, and clear indication of need.
Use naturally derived fertilizers from organic sources that slowly release nutrients over a 1-to-4 month timeframe.
Schedule fertilization for site conditions, plant needs, and dry weather.
Maintain 2-4" of large particle size organic mulch over the surface of soil.
Apply organic mulches a few inches from the base of trees and plants and extending at least to the dripline.
Use onsite organic materials by mulching, mulch-mowing, and composting.
Allow fallen leaves to remain as mulch in landscaped beds and natural areas
Avoid synthetic barriers or mulches that prevent or inhibit natural biodegradation of organic matter
Ways to Conserve Water (and the other benefits of each action):
Plan to adjust watering after plant establishment period (1-3 years)
Test and repair irrigation systems at start of each season and by draining at end of season.
Set/adjust irrigation to minimize evaporation and overwatering based on seasonal weather conditions, site characteristics, and vegetation needs.
Monitor irrigation regularly for broken heads, leaks, runoff, and uniform distribution, and repair irrigation problems promptly.
Apply organic mulches a few inches from the base of trees and plants and extending at least to the dripline.
Irrigate to deeper depths while watering less frequently.
Maintain low-traffic turf areas for no/minimal irrigation, allowing them to go dormant in summer.
Reduce turf area where possible, to reduce water, fertilizer, and maintenance inputs.
Ways to Protect Water and Air Quality (and the other benefits of each action):
Use energy-efficient equipment and power tools or hand tools as appropriate.
Maintain all equipment and tools in optimal working condition
Maintain all onsite stormwater infiltration, Low Impact Development (LID), and other Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) according to manual.
Minimize or eliminate use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
Base nutrient management programs for turf, trees, and shrubs on soil tests, tissue analysis, and clear indication of need.
Avoid contaminating water with soluble landscape chemicals, oil, cleaners, etc.
Prune to optimize air flow for plant and human health.
Ways to Protect and Create Wildlife Habitat (and the other benefits of each action):
Minimize impacts to existing desirable vegetation and protect existing habitat including wetland areas and landscape features.
Schedule maintenance tasks to avoid disturbing native wildlife and their habitats.
Preserve and plant native vegetation to enhance native wildlife diversity
Avoid cultivation of landscaped areas to retain soil organisms and soil habitat
Maintain water sources.
Avoid premature removal of flowers, stems, and seed heads that provide a food source or habitat for wildlife.
Eliminate or reduce the use of pesticides harmful to wildlife.
Create diversity in landscapes to encourage natural, biological pest control processes.
Sustain Healthy Plants (and the other benefits of each action):
Plan for plant growth, species longevity, and succession during the life of the landscape. (Plant the Right plant, in the Right Place)
Encourage plant biodiversity, especially plants native to an ecoregion, and use plants that attract beneficials and biological pest predators.
Survey for known pests, noxious weeds, and invasive species on site. Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Manage water use for plant health and deepest root development. Use appropriate watering and mulching.
Remove and replace diseased or failing plants with resilient or more site-appropriate selections. (IPM)
Fertilize plants with natural, organic products for healthy growth and flower/fruit production. Avoid use of synthetic fertilizers.
Prune properly to maintain the natural form of the plant. Avoid shearing.
Promote nutrient cycling and deep rooting by mulch mowing at 2-4 inches or as appropriate for grass species.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) (and the other benefits of each action):
"Right plant, Right Place." Correct planting reduces plant stress and susceptibility to problems and diseases.
Monitor for, remove/contain/control, and properly dispose of invasive plants found on the local Noxious Weed List for the local county area
Monitor the worksite often to identify potentially damaging pests and diseases. Recognize and protect common beneficials.
Manage pests and diseases at the most susceptible lifecycle stage, when management is easier, less costly, and more likely to succeed.
Establish action thresholds for actively managing pests. Tolerate a few insects, weeds and diseases.
Utilize IPM strategies and methods that reduce or eliminate the need for chemical pesticides.
Use ground cover plants to shade soil for weed control
Evaluate how IPM strategies work, modify and adapt new strategies.
Integrated Pest Management
IPM is about making informed decisions based on observation, knowledge, and a toolbox of management strategies.
The key principles underpinning IPM include:
Prevention:
Implementing practices that prevent pest problems from developing in the first place. This might involve selecting pest-resistant plant varieties, maintaining healthy soil, or improving sanitation.
Monitoring:
Regularly inspecting crops, landscapes, or structures for signs of pest activity and identifying the specific pests present. Accurate identification is crucial for selecting the most effective and targeted control methods
Thresholds:
Establishing acceptable levels of pest activity or damage. Treatment is only justified when pest populations reach a level where they are likely to cause unacceptable harm or economic loss. This prevents unnecessary interventions.
Integrated Tactics:
Employing a range of control methods in combination, chosen to be the least disruptive to the environment and beneficial organisms. This may include biological control, cultural practices, physical controls, and targeted chemical applications as a last resort.
Evaluation:
Continuously assessing the effectiveness of the IPM program and making adjustments as needed. This adaptive management approach ensures that the program remains effective and efficient over time.