The Livable Lawns Program certifies lawn care companies that follow environmentally-friendly practices in fertilizer application while educating property owners.
This program will:
- Recognize you for using environmentally-friendly methods that go beyond current requirements.
- Provide free marketing for your company. (A certified company will be able to use the Livable Lawns logo)
- Attract customers who have a concern for the environment and value your expertise.
This program will not:
- Cost you anything.
- Tell you how to manage your business or suggest additional fees to charge.
- Weigh you down with excessive reporting requirements.
What is the Delaware Livable Lawns Program?
The Livable Lawns Program certifies lawn care companies that follow environmentally-friendly practices in fertilizer application while educating homeowners. A certified company will be able to use the Livable Lawns logo and benefit from a marketing program.
What is the Goal of the Delaware Livable Lawns Program?
The goal of the program is to reduce fertilizer runoff from residential lawns.
While many homeowners may be unaware of how, when, and how much fertilizer to apply professional lawn care staff have the expertise to fertilize lawns correctly. Certified Livable Lawns companies go a step beyond the current regulations that govern fertilizer use by following environmentally-friendly practices resulting in healthy lawns and healthy water.
What Benefits Will Your Company Gain from Certification?
- Cost savings from applying less fertilizer.
- Recognition of your expertise with environmentally-friendly lawn care methods.
- Free listing in state directory, program website, and other publications.
- Free program advertising (newspaper and improved internet search engine ranking).
- Complimentary use of the program logo in your own marketing materials.
- Free leave behind educational materials.
Requirements for Certification:
- Keep fertilizer and grass clippings off any impervious surfaces.
- Leave behind educational lawn care materials.
- For all new accounts, test the soil for phosphorus, potassium, and pH prior to application.
- For established accounts, test the soil once every three years to determine the specific needs of the lawn.
- Apply nutrients based on the requirements given in the table on the next page.
- Calibrate spreaders for correct application rates and record the pounds of nutrients applied to each lawn.
- Be a certified Nutrient Management Handler.
Additional Program Recommendations:
- Provide residents with copies of their soil tests.
- Seed with turf-type tall fescue.
- Use slow release fertilizers.
Reporting and Tracking
Delaware Livable Lawns companies will submit the following once per year to the Delaware Nursery & Landscape Association:
- Business name, address, and contact information.
- Total number of customers your company serves and total number of new customers
gained each year. - Total area of lawns maintained.
- Total nitrogen applied to lawns, broken down by month of application.
- If applications vary from recommended timing, provide an explanation.
All certified companies will be required to keep all soil test results and application information for 3 years to be randomly audited.