Bayscaping

What is Bayscaping?

Bayscaping is the use of a variety of beneficial native plants that, because they are adapted to our local climate and soil, require minimal maintentance (including trimming, watering, fertilizing or pesticide application). They reduce the amount of pollutants carried by rainwater into local waterways because they use less fertilizers and pesticides. Get started by asking your local nursery about which plants are right for you!

Why Bayscaping?

As the population of eastern Long Island continues to grow, the environmental pressures to the fragile ecosystem increase as well. Thousands of homes that neighbor our tidal wetlands potentially contribute nonpoint source pollution via stormwater runoff. While each home may contribute relatively little, the cumulative effect of stormwater runoff loaded with nutrients, pesticides, pathogens, petroleum products, and sediments from upland properties can pose serious threats to the health of our bays. Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) released from fertilizers have been responsible for algal blooms which block sunlight to valuable seagrasses and deplete dissolved oxygen levels, which are essential to marine life in the estuary. Toxic chemical compounds, components of landscape pesticides and other household chemicals, can concentrate in the aquatic environment and cause problems in reproduction and disruption of the food web. Nonpoint source pollution can be controlled, but requires conscious decisions and actions by individual households.

Some suggestions and tips for letting stewardship of the bay begin in your own yard:

• Incorporate tree, shrub and groundcover species native to our area. These plants are most suitable for Long Island's conditions, lessening the need for fertilizers and pesticides.

• Establish a tree canopy with an understory. Doing so provides shade, wildlife habitat and reduces runoff.

• Consider incorporating berms and swales, which are low profile dikes and depressions, in your landscape design. They can impede the flow of runoff from your yard and divert it into depressional areas where percolation into the soil can occur.

• When possible, use porous materials (brick, gravel, turf block) for sidewalks, driveways and patios. These materials allow rainwater to seep into the ground, helping to filter pollutants while reducing the amount of runoff from your yard.

• Improve your soil by adding compost or other organic matter. Organic matter improves soil structure, texture and aeration and increases the soil's capacity to hold water. Additionally, it helps to loosen compacted soils, improves fertility and creates a favorable environment for microorganisms, insects and earthworms.

• Minimize watering: A sure way to reduce watering is to choose drought resistent vegetation, native to eastern Long Island. Drip irrigation is preferable as it conserves water by applying it directly to the root zone of the plants.

• Before applying any fertilizer or lime, a soil test should be performed to identify soil deficiencies. Slow release fertilizers are preferred as they are absorbed more efficiently by the plant and minimize the potential for nutrient loading of the bay. Because of the high toxicity of some pesticides, consider other biological remedies.