Planting Shoreland Arecis 



Ralph M. Winslow jr 



BECAUSE New Hampshire's scenic 

 beauty contributes to the quality of 

 life for its visitors and residents alike, 

 maintaining environmental quality 

 should be everyone's concern Despite 

 increased awareness about environ- 

 mental issues, the activities of those 

 who live near our lakes and rivers 

 could adversely affect the quality of 

 those waters. As a green industry pro- 

 fessional, you can help educate your 

 clientele about landscape practices 

 that will help maintain the quality of 

 New Hampshire's water resources. 



Land-use activities within a water- 

 shed, especially along shorelines, can 

 have a tremendous impact on the 

 quality of adjacent surface waters. 

 Given that the protection of New 

 Hampshire's shorelands is essential for 

 maintaining the high quality of the 

 state's public waters, the Comprehen- 

 sive Shoreland Protection Act (RSA ^^^^^^ 

 483-B) was recently enacted and be- wa 

 came effective on July 1, 1994. This act __ 

 applies to all lands located within 250 

 feet of the ordinary high water level (reference line) of 

 publicly owned lakes and impoundments, certain major 

 rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters. It establishes mini- 

 mum standards for the use and future development of 

 these designated shoreland areas. The New Hampshire 

 Department of Environmental Services has developed a 

 four page synopsis which provides information about the 

 act (technical bulletin # NHDES-CO-1994-2) . 



In the spirit of stewardship, people who own land and 

 homes on New Hampshire's lakes, ponds, and streams 

 can play an important role in preserving the quality of 

 our public waters. By considering some of the following 

 landscaping techniques, shoreland residents can help 

 protect our ground and surface waters for all to use and 

 enjoy. 



Fertilize Properly. 



The law states that "no fertilizer, except lime or wood 

 ash, shall be used on lawns or areas with grass on resi- 

 dential properties" within this 250-foot zone. Although 

 vegetable gardens and ornamental plantings are not 

 specifically included in the act, the first step in any fer- 

 tilization program is to have your soil tested — and then 

 follow the recommendation. UNH Cooperative Extension 

 offers a soil testing service that can determine soil nutri- 

 ent needs and the best type and amount of fertilizer to 



April & May 1995 



(^ 



industry professional, 

 you can lielp 



educate your clientele 

 about landscape 



practices that 



use Soil test kits are available at lo- 

 cal, county UNH Cooperative Exten- 

 sion offices. 



Since lawns within this 250-foot 

 setback are specifically restricted to 

 only applications of lime or wood ashes 

 which can raise soil pH, a soil test is 

 even more important for promoting 

 healthy turf. A soil test, invaluable in 

 determining and — if necessary — in 

 raising the soil pH, will enable turf to 

 make the best use of available soil 

 nutrients. 



will help maintain 



the quality of 

 New Hampshire's 



Water Wisely. 



Over-watering can greatly increase the 

 movement of nutrients and other sub- 

 stances into groundwater For most 

 growing situations, about one inch of 

 rainfall per week, either natural or arti- 

 ficial, is sufficient for adequate growth. 

 The addition of organic matter to soil, 

 ■"~~~~"~ the use of mulches, and the applica- 



:er tion of xeroscaping techniques — land- 



^ scaping to minimize water use — can 



further reduce the need for supple- 

 mental water. These practices will help conserve a valu- 

 able natural resource and will help reduce the potential 

 for nutrients and sediment to affect our ground and sur- 

 face waters. 



Proper Turf Management. 



Since fertilizer applications are prohibited on residential 

 lawns within this shoreland zone, proper turf manage- 

 ment takes on renewed importance. Grass kept at a 

 height of two and one-half to three inches during the 

 months of July and August can withstand heat and 

 drought stress better than closely clipped grass. This 

 higher mowing height encourages deeper rooting, thus 

 reducing the need for frequent watering. It will also al- 

 low turf to more successfully out-compete broad-leaved 

 weeds, reducing the need for weed control. 



In addition, unmown grass tends to make a very good 

 erosion and nutrient barrier. Its fibrous root system and 

 dense top growth can greatly slow and reduce surface 

 runoff and help to intercept nutrients and pesticides. 



Other techniques, such as mowing frequently, remov- 

 ing no more than a third of the leaf blade, and leaving 

 clippings on lawns, can conserve soil nutrients and help 

 build soil organic matter. County UNH Cooperative Ex- 

 tension offices have fact sheets available to assist with 

 turf management. 



17 



