Lawn Care Assessment, Lake*A*Syst, University of Maine Cooperative extension Water Quality Program

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension
5741 Libby Hall
Orono, ME 04469-5741
(207) 581-3188
1-800-287-0274 (in Maine)
TDD: 1-800-287-8957 (in Maine)
FAX: (207) 581-1387
E-Mail: www-questions@umext.maine.edu

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Water Quality Program is a partner in the NIFA New England Regional Water Quality Program. We actively participate in the following New England Regional Water Quality Focus Areas: Nutrient and Pest Management, New England Private Well Initiative, New England NEMO, Sustainable Landscapes, and Animal Waste Management.

Lawn Care Assessment

	High Risk (3) Modify Practice	Moderate Risk (2) Possible Hazard	Low Risk (1) Recommended	Your Rank
Area BETWEEN house and lake	Lawn from house to shore; no other plants.	Lawn to small buffer of shrubs and flowers.	No lawn; large wooded buffer.
Fertilizer use	Never test soil, but apply phosphorus (P) fertilizer.	Test soil; leave an unfertilized buffer near shore.	Test soil regularly; apply lime and uses only P-free fertilizer.
Lawn cutting	Cut grass more than 1/3 of blade; cut grass to less than 2 inches high; never sharpen mower blades.	Cut grass regularly, only 1/3 of blade, but lawn kept very short.	Cut grass regularly; NEVER cut below 2 1/2-inch blade height; sharpen mower blades regularly.
Pesticide use	Use one or more pesticides in a preventative manner; buy in bulk quantities.	Use only when necessary; purchase only what is needed.	Never use pesticides; control pests culturally or by hand,
Water needs and use	Heavy watering is needed to keep plants alive; watering is done in the noonday heat or late at night; sprinkler used without regard to need or weather; excessive water runoff.	Plants require moderate watering to survive; some runoff can be seen after watering.	Plants are able to survive on normal rainfall; water only as needed in the morning or early evening; use a gauge to determine water use; manually attend to water.

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