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Take the EARTH-KINDTM Challenge...
Is your landscape contributing to a healthy and sustainable environment? There's one way to find out take
the EARTH-KINDTM Challenge. It's easy. Just answer this series of
questions about the cultural principles and practices used in maintaining your landscape.
You'll also find links to EARTH-KINDTM information along the way to assist in determining the most appropriate response.
After completing the questions, click on the SUBMIT button
and you will automatically receive an EARTH-KINDTM score ranging from 0-100. The higher the score, the more you are
doing to help preserve and protect the environment in which we live.
To begin the EARTH-KINDTM Challenge, please provide us with some required* information about yourself.
Remember - the value of this activity largely depends on
how accurately the response to each question reflects your current maintenance principles and practices. All questions must be answered.
| Is there a plan or drawing of current and future landscape areas? |
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| How much turf area does the landscape include? |
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| Are plants with like water requirements grouped together in the landscape (hydrozoning)? |
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| How much organic matter has been incorporated in to landscape planting areas? |
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| What percent of landscape plants have an EARTH-KINDTM Index value of 8 or higher (use the EARTH-KINDTM Plant Selector to find values)? |
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| What percent of the landscape is mulched? |
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| How often is mulch added to landscape areas? |
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| Does the landscape include a smart irrigation controller with rain delay, OR do you irrigate manually as needed? |
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| What percent of the landscape is irrigated with a drip or low-volume irrigation system? |
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Irrigation System Auditing (10 points possible):
read more...
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| Has a site inspection of the irrigation system, hoses/sprinkers, etc. been conducted? |
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| Has a performance test of the irrigation system, hoses/sprinkers, etc. been conducted? |
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| Is irrigation scheduling based on the results of an irrigation system audit? |
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| Approximately how much fertilizer is applied at each application? |
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| How often is fertilizer applied to the landscape? |
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| Do the fertilizers applied contain no/low phosphorus (unless specified in soil analysis)? |
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Insect & Disease Management (10 points possible):
read more...
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| What is the pricipal means of controlling insects and diseases in the landscape? |
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| Are all available pest control options considered before applying a chemical pesticide in the landscape? |
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| Do you promote beneficial insects in the landscape? |
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Chemical Fertilizer/Pesticide Safety (5 points possible):
read more...
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| Do you carefully read the label before applying chemical fertilizers/pesticides to the landscape? |
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| Are all chemical fertilizers/pesticides stored in a secure, well-ventilated area which is not readily accessible to children or animals? |
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| What percent of yard wastes are bagged and placed curbside for disposal? |
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| Are yard wastes composted on-site? |
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Complete the following responses for EARTH-KINDTM BONUS CREDITS.
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| Is landscape irrigation supplemented with harvested rainfall? |
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