AN OCEAN FRIENDLY GARDEN IS ONE THAT APPLIES THE CPR PRINCIPLES

Conservation: Conserve the use of water, fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides and the amount of maintenance needed. Replacing turf grass areas with native plants or other climate-adapted choices reduces the amount of water needed to maintain a healthy landscape and reduces the potential for polluted runoff, helping to restore our local waterways and a healthy ocean. A well thought out design and selection of plants reduces or eliminates mechanical landscape maintenance and its associated contribution to air pollution.

Permeability: Permeable, living soil sponges up water for plants to tap into during dry months and filters pollutants. Permeable walkways and other permeable “hardscape” along with “living soil” greatly improve a garden’s permeability.

Retention: Retaining rainwater and allowing it to filter into the soil restores reduces the need for irrigation and replenishes groundwater aquifers. The aim is to capture at least the first inch of rainfall after a dry spell – the event called “First Flush” – that carries the most pollutants to our ocean. Approximately 600 gallons of water is generated per inch of rain per 1,000 sq. ft. of impermeable surface. The steps of rainwater retention are to take water otherwise running off your property and “slow it, spread it and sink it.”