Tennessee Environmental Council

Transcription

1 Tennessee Environmental Council Greening Your Garden to Protect Drinking Water in Tennessee This document is for Internal Use for Tennessee Environmental Council Only. It contains material that is under copyright protection.

2 Tennessee Environmental Council Greening Your Garden to Protect Drinking Water in Tennessee

3 Tennessee Environmental Council Overview 41-year old non-profit organization with a mission of educating and advocating for the conservation & improvement of Tennessee s environment, communities, and public health Programs include: Tennessee Tree Project, Watershed Support Center & Sustainable Tennessee.

4 Tennessee Tree Project Educating and advocating for the conservation and improvement of Tennessee's environment, communities and public health.

5 Tennessee Tree Project

6 Watershed Support Center A watershed is an area of land that drains to a specific body of water. We are part of in Harpeth River Watershed which is part of Cumberland River Basin. Nearby are Stones River, Cheatham Lake, Hickory Lake, Duck River watersheds. How we manage and treat our land has a direct impact on the ability of water to support a number of important public uses like swimming, fishing, aquatic species habitat, and drinking water supply. Guide to Traveling Tennessee s Watersheds

7 Watershed Support Center The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has estimated that about 30 percent of the state's streams are of such poor water quality that they cannot support a healthy population of fish and other aquatic wildlife, and almost 40 percent are not fit for human recreation. That means that many of our streams are not fit for our children to play in and that we can no longer catch the fish that our grandparents did. It also translates into higher utility bills, with more resources going towards water treatment.

8 Watershed Support Center Nutrients include nitrogen and phosphorus that act on algae in streams the same way they act on grass and garden plants, by increasing the growth rate and size. However, the decomposition process of large amounts of algae robs the water of oxygen, consequently smothering fish and other aquatic animals. Sediment clogs fish gills, fills up aquatic habitat, including the cracks and crevices between streambed rocks where aquatic insect larvae reside. It also decreases the ability for fish to see for both mating and foraging purposes. In addition, sediment darkens our waters, resulting in increased heat absorption and escalating waterbody temperatures (just like when you wear a dark t-shirt versus a white one). It also causes flooding by reducing capacity channels. Toxins can play havoc with aquatic animals' reproductive and nervous systems, among other effects. Birth defects and skin diseases are more common in fish inhabiting contaminated waters.

9 Watershed Support Center Water that enters our stormwater drains/system does not get treated and goes directly into our local creeks, streams, rivers and lakes (the local watershed) and thus into our drinking water.

10 Greening Your Garden General yard/garden tips Introduction to rain garden Rain barrels Using fertilizers How to plant a tree

11 General Garden & Yard Tips 1. Grass is the single most irrigated crop in the US. About half of the average family water use is for the lawn. Mow grass to 3 or higher recommended for optimum water retention and health. Convert grass areas to other uses (for instance vegetable, rain garden, or natural areas.)

12 General Garden & Yard Tips 2. Water grass only when necessary. 3. Consider a slow, drip irrigation system. 4. Mulching is also important to help retain moisture in garden and prevent weeds 5. Avoid gas lawn tools if possible. Push mowers and rakes are ideal for smaller yards less noise and pollution and good exercise! TENNESSEE ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL

13 General Garden & Yard Tips 6. Avoid or reduce use of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. Consider natural pest control (including attracting birds and bats.) 7. Native plants require less pesticides and less water. 8. Look into companion planting especially for vegetable gardens.

14 General Garden Tips 9. Consider composting, use your food waste to create a healthy garden. 10. Clean up after pets 11. Bonus: Recycle your plant containersmany nurseries will reuse them.

15 Questions/Discussion

16 Residential Rain Garden

17 Rain Garden What is a rain garden? Native plants in a small depression Why do we need them? Remove almost all excess fertilizers form water. Increase water soaking into the ground»

18 Rain Garden Why is rainwater runoff a problem? Water picks up pollutants from our homes and yards and carries them to nearby streams and ponds. Excess runoff can cause increased erosion»

19 Residential Rain Garden

20 How to Create a Rain Garden 1. Consult a guide to help with planning 2. Pick a spot away from foundation & septic field. Call TN One-Call (811) to avoid underground utilities 3. Dig your garden the size, shape and depth that you have determined during planning. Remember to take into account the soil amendment depth (if needed) and the final 3 inch mulch layer. Your final rain garden should be around 6 inches deep.

21 How to Create a Rain Garden 3. Calculate your infiltration rate. If calculation indicates your soil needs amending, backfill the excavated soil mixed to a ratio of 20-30% existing soil or top soil, 20-30% compost and 40-60% coarse sand. 4. If the garden is located on a slope, use the remaining excavated soil to construct a berm on the downhill side of the rain garden.

22 How to Create a Rain Garden 5. Choose native plants, and plant according to the guidelines for each plant. Cumberland River Compact Rain Garden Guide includes lists of native plants for Nashville area rain gardens. THESE local nurseries sell native plants

23 How to Create a Rain Garden 6. Create an edge around your rain garden. Using trenches, metal or plastic edging, stone, brick, or even a thick border of native grasses creates a strong visual line and prevents weeds from creeping into your rain garden. Make sure your edge is low enough for runoff to flow over it into the garden. 7. Spread 3 inches of pine straw or shredded wood mulch over the rain garden taking care not to damage plants

24 How to Create a Rain Garden 8. Sit back and enjoy your beautiful garden. After your rain garden is planted and established you may never need to water it or add any type of fertilizer or pesticide. It is important, however, to weed, clean-up and re-mulch the garden in the early Spring and Fall

25 Questions/Discussion

26 Rain Barrel

27 Rain Barrel Residential water use increases 40 to 50% during summer months - mostly due to outdoor water use. Stormwater runoff is the leading type of residential non-point source pollution. A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from rooftops to use later for watering plants and gardens.

28 Rain Barrel Rain barrels conserve water and help lower costs (a rain barrel can save approximately 1,300 gallons of water during peak summer months). Rain barrels reduce water pollution by reducing stormwater runoff, which can contain pollutants like sediment, oil, grease, bacteria and nutrients.

29 Rain Barrel

30 Rain Barrel s Can Be Beautiful

31 Questions/Discussion

32 Excess Fertilizer Increased use of home lawn and garden fertilizers has caused concern about pollution of streams and groundwaters. Although an individual lawn or garden seems small, the total area of lawns and gardens in urban environments can be significant. Runoff and drainage waters carrying these nutrients may move over hard-surfaced streets where there is no soil to act as a filter.

33 Excess Algae Growth

34 What Can You Do? Have your soil tested and follow soil test recommendations. Fertilizers Mulch your grass clippings high nitrogen Use compost - some nutrients and improves fertilizer absorption Use organic or slow release fertilizers A phosphorus-free fertilizer should be used on high phosphorus testing soils. Water your lawn after fertilizing, but do not allow water to run off into streets or lakes. Clean up excess from sidewalk/driveway. Never apply fertilizer to frozen ground. Leave a natural buffer zone along streams, waterways, ponds and lakes.

35 What Can You Do? Clippings not left on the lawn, leaves, other plant debris, and excess fertilizer should be removed as soon as possible from street gutters, sidewalks, and driveways. When mowing lawns, do not direct clippings into the street or waterway.

36 What Can You Do? Aerate compacted or high thatch lawns to promote better water infiltration and reduce runoff potential.

37 What Can You Do? Don t fertilize right before a rain shower. The rain, especially a heavy rain, will wash the fertilizer away.» It will be flushed straight down the storm drains. Build a rain garden! Rain gardens slow down the flow of water and allow the nutrients to settle out of the water and stay in your lawn.

38 Questions/Discussion

39 Tennessee Tree Project Need The U.S. Forest Service found more than two million acres of Tennessee s native forests were cut and more than 500 thousand acres of forest were converted to other uses.

40 Tennessee Tree Project Need Tennessee's urban forest are valued at $80 billion thanks to its contributions to the environment. With an urban population of 284 million, that equates to a mean value of $282 per tree. The total is based on a number of costs offset by the presence of Tennessee's urban forest: $350 million-worth of carbon storage over $204 million every year in pollution removal, $18.4 million per year in additional carbon sequestration $66 million per year in energy savings Nowak et al Urban forests of Tennessee, 2009

41 Benefits of Trees are Tree-mendous! Environmental benefits Economic Benefits Social Benefits

42 TREE-mendous Benefits Cleaner water and air Infiltrate and filter storm water Provide habitat for smaller songbirds, aquatic species and other wildlife Prevent erosion one of our greatest sources of water pollution in Tennessee Harms aquatic life, can damage drinking water processing equipment Enhance biodiversity by creating microhabitat

43 Types of trees Virginia Pine up to 70 feet. Grows rapidly. Highly drought tolerant Click for more info Staghorn Sumac - Grows to feet. Grows rapidly. Drought tolerant. Visit /tree for more info

44 Types of trees Eastern Red Cedar Grows to feet on average. Is actually a juniper species not cedar and produces juniper berries. Drought tolerant

45 How to plant/care for trees Planting Bare-Rooted Trees Plant as soon as possible. Soak in water for 3 6 hours Prune broken or damaged roots but save as much of the root structure as you can. Keep Roots covered prior to going in ground/keep them from drying out! Make sure that when properly seated the tree is planted so that the trunk/root flare is clearly visible and the crown, where the roots and top meet, is about two inches above the soil level. This is to allow for natural settling.

46 How to plant

47 How to plant a tree Dig a hole that is the length and width of roots for bare root seedling For potted trees dig a hole three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Produce a wide but shallow space with loose soil into which the roots can grow. To plant bare root, first build a cone of earth in the center of the hole to spread the roots. Make sure that when properly seated on this cone the tree is planted so that the trunk flare is clearly visible

48 How to plant a tree For potted tree - Loosen the roots, especially those that encircle the root ball, pruning them back if necessary. Shake off all excess potting medium -- it is lighter than existing soil and will dry more quickly. Water the tree slowly but steadily to settle the soil. Mulch the tree (Volcanos are bad Donuts are good) More info at

49 How to plant a tree Staking is not recommended unless the tree is unstable or in a high-wide zone. Use ties made of an elastic material, such as old nylon hose or wide flat straps, that will not dig into the trunk. These stakes should be removed as soon as the plant is solidly anchored, usually within a year. For seedlings flag with bio-degradeable tape/flag so it doesn t get mowed by accident.

50 Root flare should be above ground roots start at ground level

51 Root flare should be above ground roots start at ground level

52 Incorrect root flare is below ground AND well below the surrounding ground area which will fill in around the tree.

53 Incorrect

54 Tennessee Environmental Council Questions/Discussion TENNESSEE ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL

55 Sources ourceguide.pdf sp sconsins-phosphorus-rule-is-approved.html cate/fertiliz/ s.html