Sligo Native Landscaping Co-op

Background:
The increase in stormwater run-off due to development has caused significant damage to Sligo Creek and the entire Chesapeake watershed. During heavy rainfall, the increased run-off from roads, lawns and rooftops enters Sligo Creek. Instead of entering Sligo Creek slowly as cool clean baseflow, it enters all at once where it causes erosion along the stream banks. In addition, runoff carries sediment, fertilizers, pesticides, and other pollutants into Sligo Creek. If Sligo Creek is going to be healthy, we must capture rainwater close to its source using practices that mimic natural stormwater retention and filtration techniques. One way in which homeowner can help Sligo Creek and improve the appearance of their property is to replace portions of the lawns with natural landscaping. According to the Maryland Department of Environment website, environmentally friendly plantings can absorb fourteen times more rain than a grass lawn can. Plus, a natural landscape does not require fertilizers For more information see Maryland Department of Environment Protection's Why Stormwater Matters: Impacts of Runoff on Maryland's Watersheds.

Sligo Native Landscaping Co-op:

The Sligo Native Landscaping co-op was formed in the spring of 2004 with the immediate goal of providing support to homeowners who were interested in incorporating Environmentally Beneficial Landscaping (Rainscaping, Bayscaping, etc) on their property. Our long-range goal is to see how many yards we can get certified with the National Wildlife Federation, or better yet to have the Upper Sligo Creek communities certified.

During the first year, the co-op worked on three yards. Through early May 2005, we did an additional two projects. Most projects have involved sharing labor to convert lawn to beds that can be planted with native trees, shrubs and perennials; we have also bulk ordered plants to get nice plants at great prices. Some of our members have converted their entire properties from lawn to mixed plantings. Others have kept some lawn for kids and dogs to run around on. We have found that our remaining lawns usually look much better with an attractive border than they did when they extended up to the fenceline and struggled in the shade of trees. Since digging, killing and otherwise eliminating lawn can be daunting, we have developed a simple method to create planting beds from lawn:

Sketch the property, house, shed, existing trees, plantings etc., and sketch where the new bed will go (optional)
Draw an outline of the new bed on the ground using spray paint
Edge the area by digging a small ditch on the painted line (optional, but helps keep mulch planting bed and lawn separate)
Lay cardboard or newspaper in the area of the new bed. Cardboard works much better (stays in place and covers a larger area), but there's almost never enough. Ask friends and neighbors to save theirs up.
Cover the cardboard/newspaper with leafgro or mulch. We prefer composted leaves or leafgro because the typical home site in the Sligo Creek watershed has compacted clay soil. When the property was originally developed, all the porous top soil was removed for construction. When construction is completed, the builder typically covers the clay soil with sod, so improving the soil with organic matter will provide a better medium for growing plants. However, shredded mulch (preferably pine) will also work. As the grass dies, the turf breaks down and adds organic matter.
Takoma Park delivers composted leaves that make a nice medium, though it contains some trash. Montgomery County yard waste is composted and sold commercially as leafgro. Rels and other local stores will deliver it in bulk. You need a lot - from 5 to 10 cubic yards depending on the size of the bed you're creating.
Ideally, we leave the new bed alone for several months (create the bed in the fall and plant in spring or vice versa). However, we have planted in the new beds as soon as a couple of weeks after their creation and found that plants do really well.

Native landscape designers in the community have helped with landscape designs. The co-op has resulted in an active listserv that allows members to share ideas and information. Members with established native gardens have been to been sharing excess plant material with members who are just starting.

There are many benefits to replacing your lawn with a native landscape. In addition to improving water quality, native landscapes provide good wildlife habitat. For example, berries from many native plants are excellent sources of lipid, which migratory birds need. Plus, berries don't attract Norwegian rats as traditional bird feeders do.

Before photo taken spring of 2004. Colt Terrace home

After photo taken spring of 2005

The soil in this back yard was compacted and allowed little water to infiltrate into the soil. The lawn under the trees was nearly bare. This back yard is adjacent to the piped-in portion of upper Sligo Creek. Ventura Ave. home.

This photo was taken the fall of 2004 after first phase of the conversion.

In September 2004, co-op members led a native plant rescue of plants that were about to be destroyed due to development in Upper Sligo Creek watershed. Members were able to obtain permission from the developer to remove native plants from the site before the site was stripped bare. As a result, native plants from the site were relocated to over a dozen yards from Wheaton to Takoma Park.

Native plant rescue, fall 2004

A few of the relocated "rescued" native plants in one of the new native landscapes, spring 2005

Benefits of a Native Landscaping Co-op:

The cost of converting your lawn into a native landscaped area can be reduced by using a gardening/landscaping co-op. Like-minded citizens in upper Sligo Creek watershed pool their knowledge, tools, and labor to create native landscapes in each other’s property. The co-op also purchases plants in bulk to further reduce cost. Like the community barn raising efforts of yesterday, we take turns helping each other plan, prepare, and install environmentally friendly landscapes. After workdays, we can gather around a food spread provided by the host family.