How to Responsibly Fertilize:

Over-applying fertilizers is not good for plants or the environment.

• Have your soil tested to determine what fertilizer and how much is needed if any.
• For Lawns and gardens, soils should be tested every 3 years.
• Use a certified professional or be sure to follow the label directions for proper application.
• Keep fertilizer at least 15 feet away from streams and clean up any fertilizer that land on impervious services.
• Leave grass clipping on the lawn as a free slow-release fertilizer
• Make your own fertilizer, try composting.
• Visit the UMD Extension website below for a seasonal fertilizer recommendation schedule

Weeds and Pests:

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and take Preventive Measures:

• Use native plants that are resistant to pests and diseases in your landscape.
• Use plants that flower or fruit at different times of the year.
• Rotate vegetables to cut down on disease and insects.
• Plant a mix of flowers, herbs, and vegetables together to attract pollinators and beneficial insects.
• Place bird and bat houses in the landscape.

Encourage beneficial insects to your yard by planting attracting flowers and avoid using insecticides.

Physical Controls -

• remove weeds and insects by hand,
• remove diseased plants, weeds and plant litter regularly
• use protective tubes or sleeves around young vegetables or flowers, and
• wash pests away with water instead of pesticide spray.

Apply pesticide only where needed and do not blanket the spray over an area. Visit UMD Extension for more information on Integrated Pest Management. 

Soil Erosion Control -

• Cover bare soil with vegetation
• Use mulch in heavy traffic areas where vegetation cannot be reestablished
• Place stones at pipe outlets to slow down rainwater and promote infiltration
• Use a splash block at downspouts to slow water flow.
• Stabilize steep hills with terraces made of wood or stone
• Plant trees, shrubs and ground covers as buffers
• Use raised beds for gardens to minimize soil loss from runoff

Car wash waste water contains many pollutants, such as heavy metals, fine dust and dirt, soaps and cleaners that can pollute nearby streams if it is not treated or infiltrated. To reduce stormwater pollution from washing your vehicle: 

• Use a commercial car wash that recycles its water and sends it to a wastewater treatment plan (WWTP) for treatment.
  
  
• When washing at home, wash your car on pervious surfaces where the water can infiltrate into the ground instead of running off impervious driveways and streets.
  
  
• Check for and fix leaks immediately using drip pans to prevent them from contaminating stormwater runoff.
  
  
• Vehicle waste should be stored and/or disposed of property and never poured into storm drains. Dumping used motor oil into storm drains is illegal.  Heavy metals and other toxins contaminate the soil and water sources posing a health hazard to people and the environment. 

Used motor oil is the single largest source of oil pollution.  Recycle your used motor oil.

• Keep your car tuned up. Smooth running cars burn less fuel and regular tune-ups also reduce the amount of pollutes in the car’s exhaust.
  
  
• Use alternatives sources of transportation than your car by carpooling, taking the bus, bicycling, or walking to your destination. 
  
  
• Salt pollutes waterways and groundwater, it can kill grass and trees, as well as corrode metals.  Instead of using salt, shovel driveways and sidewalks before the snow gets packed down and icy. Use sand for traction where needed. When the snow melts, make sure to sweep it up after the snow melts to keep it out of stormwater drains and streams.

Automotive Pollution Prevention Publication

Many products found in homes contain chemicals that can be potentially harmful to both people and the environment.  These products are considered hazardous and include such things as oven cleaners, paint removers, insecticides, solvents, drain cleaners etc.  It is important for homeowners and businesses to dispose of the products properly so they do not contaminate the environment.  If toxic or hazardous wastes are disposed of with regular garbage, they could destroy landfill liners and compromise the disposal area.  Properly disposing of household hazardous wastes ensures that contamination through leaks and spills does not occur.  

When use of hazardous household products is unavoidable, be sure not to flush them down the drain.  Household drains lead to either a septic system or wastewater treatment plants which do not have the adequate capability to remove hazardous chemicals from wastewater.  Toxic chemicals disrupt microbial processes in septic tanks and treatment plants, reducing their effectiveness.  Toxins from hazardous products pass through the treatment process and can contaminate water resources.  Hazardous products should never be poured down a storm sewer drain which is transported untreated into nearby waterways. 

Common Household hazardous products:

• Products labeled as toxic, flammable, or corrosive
• Cleaning products: oven cleaner, floor wax, furniture polish, drain cleaner, spot remover
• Car products: motor oil, battery acid, gasoline, car wax, engine cleaner, antifreeze, degreaser, radiator flush, rust preventative
• Home Improvement: paints, preservatives, strippers, cleaners, solvents

To Reduce Hazardous Waste Pollution:

• Use non-toxic alternatives as opposed to conventional household cleaners whenever possible.

Take household hazardous wastes to Charles County Environmental Resources Household Hazardous Waste Event. 

Pet waste is not good fertilizer for the grass; it is a health risk to people and animals.  The bacteria in pet waste is often washed down storm drains polluting waterways.  Whether out walking or at home, pick up after your pet and dispose of the waste properly.

• Flushing pet waste is the best disposal method because it is treated through a sewage treatment plant or septic system. When not available, such as when out walking with your pet, bring plastic bags with you to dispose of your pet's waste in the trash.

Keep a supply of bags at hand or reuse old bags.  You can also use a pooper scooper or a yard doggiedigester system for disposal.

• Encourage other pet owners to collect their pet’s waste so it will not wash into storm drains and streams.
  
  
• Many communities and County parks have posted signs and have installed pet waste disposal stations to encourage owners to pick up after their pets.

The overuse of salt in Maryland is affecting our drinking water and accumulating in groundwater. It can be harmful to pets, damage our streams, and aquatic life, and corrode infrastructure such as pipes, roads, sidewalks, and bridges.

As homeowners, we can help reduce salt use in our neighborhoods and protect our water supplies — while still preventing slips and falls.

Shovel Early, Shovel Well, Shovel Again

Salt does not melt existing snow or ice; it only produces a brine solution to keep snow and ice from bonding to the pavement. Apply salt before a storm as a pretreatment, or after you’ve cleared snow and ice.

A Little Goes a Long Way

• A 12-oz mug of salt is enough for 10 sidewalk squares.

• Avoid clumping — spread salt evenly so granules are about 1–2 inches apart.

• If the storm misses you, sweep up unused salt and reuse it later.

Remember: Winter salt’s primary job is to make shoveling and plowing easier, not to melt large amounts of snow or ice.

Other Tips

• Covering critical areas: For small but important areas (e.g., steps), cover them with a tarp before the storm. Secure it with weights if high winds are expected. Remove the tarp after the storm to reveal ice-free steps.

• HOA engagement: Talk to your Homeowner’s Association about adopting salt-smart practices.

• Traction: Sand does not melt ice, but it can provide traction. Sweep-up remaining sand after the storm to prevent sand from flowing to streets and waterways. Kitty-litter provides poor traction since it dissolves quickly and becomes slippery.

Professional Help

Hiring trained professionals can keep sidewalks and roads safe with less salt. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) offers a training and certification program for winter maintenance professionals: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/water/319NonPointSource/Pages/saltapplicators.aspx

Learn More

Visit MDE’s “Winter Salts” webpage to learn more about salt and its impacts: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/water/319NonPointSource/Pages/411-on-Salt.aspx

Adapted from:
Lazur, A., & Sandi, G. (2024). Being Salt Smart (EBR-2023-0666). University of Maryland Extension.

Source: Maryland Department of Environment: Saltbox_Eng.png (1728×2304)

Rain Barrel Workshops

Photo Credit: Rain Dog Designs, Gig Harbor, WA

A rain garden is a planted depression in the landscape that collects and allows rainwater runoff from hard surfaces to be absorbed. Rain gardens are planted with native plants and include a soil media and mulch. Rain gardens typically are used to reduce residential rooftop runoff or impervious surfaces on residential property.

Rain gardens offer multiple benefits to the community and the local environment, including:

• Reduced flooding and erosion
• Pollution prevention
• Groundwater recharge
• Enhanced wildlife habitat
• Improved aesthetics
• Increased property values

Dumpster management involves selecting an appropriate location for stored waste materials, controlling dumpster discharges, securing waste from wildlife disturbance, and minimizing visual impacts. Proper dumpster management reduces stormwater contamination and enhances the aesthetic appearance of surrounding areas.  Unmaintained, open or unsecured dumpsters and trash bins can contaminate stormwater runoff and pollute waterways.  Businesses and residents can help protect waterways by ensuring liquids, trash and other debris from dumpsters and trash bins are properly contained. 

How to maintain dumpsters and trash bins:

Cover:

• • Keep dumpsters and compactors under cover to keep rain and other liquids out.

   

Close:

• Train employees to close dumpster lids after every use.
• Fix broken or damaged lids
• Secure lids, when possible, to prevent wildlife use.
• Don’t overfill dumpsters and make sure lids can close.

Clean:

• Use a broom to sweep up litter into trash receptacle.
• Keep dumpsters away from storm drains.
• Inspect dumpsters regularly to ensure they are clean and working properly.
• Use signage to remind employees of proper usage.
• Avoid washing the dumpster area with detergents or allowing liquids from the dumpster to leak into a storm drain.

Contain:

• Fix leaks and use a spill kit to clean spills immediately.
• Train employees on proper use to prevent spills or litter around dumpster.
• Dispose of kitchen and restaurant wastes (e.g. fats, oils, and grease) in special recycling containers for these items that prevent contents from contaminating stormwater runoff.

Do NOT

• DO NOT allow leakage to reach the storm drain.
• Do NOT leave lids open so rainwater can get into trash cans and dumpsters.
• Do NOT pressure wash, hose, or sweep debris or spills into the storm drain.

Dumpsters Pollution Prevention Publication

Storm Drain Stenciling/Marking Program