Commercial Landscape Services Best Management Practices

• Collect leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste in biodegradable bags and take to a yard waste recycling or compost center.  

• Do not blow, sweep, rake or hose yard waste into the street.

• Educate your customers about the benefits of grass mulching instead of using a grass catcher to remove clippings. Grass clippings will quickly decompose, returning valuable nutrients to the soil.

• Use natural, non-toxic alternatives to traditional garden chemicals such as fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.

• Spot apply fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides if possible.

• Do not over-broadcast fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides onto curbs, sidewalks or driveways.

• Sweep up any over-cast and place onto the lawn or collect for re-use.

• Never apply fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides within 24 hours prior to rain.

• Pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides and other toxic lawn chemicals should be disposed of properly through a local hazardous waste facility.

• Conserve water and prevent runoff by controlling the amount of water and direction of sprinklers.  Sprinklers should be on long enough to allow water to soak into the ground but not so long as to cause runoff.

• Do not allow automatic sprinkler systems to operate when not necessary, such as during or just before or after a rain event.

• Use native vegetation extensively to reduce the need for water and chemicals, and to enhance growth and survivability under local climate and soil conditions.

• To prevent erosion and sediment loss in runoff, use ground cover on exposed soil, such as sod, hydro-mulch or vegetative buffer strips.  

• Store all landscaping chemicals and solid materials under rain shelters or sheds to prevent runoff into streets and storm drains. On-site stockpiles of materials should be covered with plastic sheeting to protect from rain.

Rev. October 10, 2007