Is your landscape contributing to a healthy and sustainable environment? There's one way to find out, take the Earth-Kind® 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-Kind® information along the way to assist in determining the most appropriate response.

If you need to, you can download a free PDF Reader.

After completing the questions, click on the SUBMIT button and you will automatically receive an Earth-Kind® 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.

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 should be answered.

Landscape Design (10 points possible):

read more on landscape design...

Is there a plan or drawing of current and future landscape areas? select a response Yes No
How much turf area does the landscape include? select a response Less than 10% 10% - 25% 25% - 50% More than 50%
Are plants with like water requirements grouped together in the landscape (hydrozoning)? select a response Yes No

Soil Preparation (10 points possible):

read more on soil improvement

How much organic matter has been incorporated in to landscape planting areas? select a response Less than 10% 10% - 25% 25% - 50% More than 50%

Plant Selection (15 points possible):

read more on plant selection

What percent of landscape plants have an Earth-Kind® Index value of 8 or higher (use the Earth-Kind® Plant Selector to find values of many common landscape plants)? select a response Less than 10% 10% - 25% 25% - 50% More than 50%

Mulching (10 points possible):

read more on mulching

What percent of the landscape is mulched? select a response Less than 10% 10% - 25% 25% - 50% More than 50%
How often is mulch added to landscape areas? select a response 0 times/year 1 time/year 2 or more times/year

Efficient Irrigation (15 points possible):

read more on efficient irrigation

Does the landscape include a smart irrigation controller with rain delay, OR do you irrigate manually as needed? select a response Yes No
What percent of the landscape is irrigated with a drip or low-volume irrigation system? select a response Less than 10% 10% - 25% 25% - 50% More than 50%

Irrigation System Auditing (10 points possible):

read more on irrigation auditing

Has a yearly site inspection of the irrigation system, hoses/sprinkers, etc. been conducted? select a response Yes No
Has a yearly performance test of the irrigation system, hoses/sprinkers, etc. been conducted? select a response Yes No
Is irrigation scheduling based on the results of an irrigation system audit? select a response Yes No

Landscape Fertilization (10 points possible):

read more on fertilization

Approximately how much fertilizer is applied at each application? select a response Amount applied based on soil analysis 0 lb. actual nitrogen/1000 sq. ft. 1 lb. or less of actual nitrogen/1000 sq. ft. 2 lbs. of actual nitrogen/1000 sq. ft. 3 lbs. of actual nitrogen/1000 sq. ft. 4 lbs. or more of actual nitrogen/1000 sq. ft.
How often is fertilizer applied to the landscape? select a response 0 times/year 1 time/year 2 times/year More than 2 times/year
Do the fertilizers applied contain no/low phosphorus (unless called for by a soil analysis)? select a response Yes No

Insect & Disease Management (10 points possible):

read more on pest management

What is the pricipal means of controlling insects and diseases in the landscape? select a response Cultural Biological Mechanical Chemical
Are all available pest control options considered before applying a chemical pesticide in the landscape? select a response Yes No
Do you promote beneficial insects in the landscape? select a response Yes No

Chemical Fertilizer/Pesticide Safety (5 points possible):

read more on pesticides

Do you carefully read the label before applying chemical fertilizers/pesticides to the landscape? select a response Yes No
Are all chemical fertilizers/pesticides stored in a secure, well-ventilated area which is not readily accessible to children or animals? select a response Yes No

Composting (5 points possible):

read more about composting

What percent of yard wastes are bagged and placed curbside for disposal? select a response Less than 10% 10% - 25% 25% - 50% More than 50%
Are yard wastes composted on-site? select a response Yes No

Complete the following responses for Earth-Kind® BONUS CREDITS.

Rainfall Harvesting (5 points possible):

read more on rainwater harvesting

Is landscape irrigation supplemented with harvested rainfall? select a response Yes No

Native Habitat (5 points possible):

read more on native habitats

Does the landscape provide native habitat that conserves resources and provides food, water and shelter for birds and other wildlife? select a response Yes No

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