For this project you will be conducting searches on search engines, like Google, to answer some of your research questions. See the "Search Tips" tab for tips on how to control these searches to get more targeted results.
Some resources like government reports or data will not be found in the library databases. Instead you'll need to do a search in a search engine, like Google.
Here are some tips to help you limit your search results in Google.
Limit search results to documents authored or funded by the government by using:
site:.gov (documents produced/authored by the government at all levels (federal,state,local) and government-sponsored research)
site:org (organizations/associations / think tanks...)
site:edu (produced / authored / sponsored by educational entities)
food waste composting site:gov
"community garden" regulations site:.gov
"ecosystem services" economics site:.gov
rainwater harvest* site:.gov
"job corps" site:org
Place phrases in quotes
"ecosystem services"
"public health"
Alumai, A., Salminen, S.O., Richmond, D.S. et al. Comparative evaluation of aesthetic, biological, and economic effectiveness of different lawn management programs. 2009. Urban Ecosyst 12, 127–144. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-008-0073-8
Bakacs, M., Rowe, A., Hlubik, W. T., & Zientek, J. 2016. Development and early assessment of an organic land care extension program for landscapers. HortTechnology, 26(1), 89–96. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH.26.1.89
Johns, Rodney. 2004. Turfgrass installation: management and maintenance. New York: London McGraw-Hill. [Available at UMD Libraries]
Marshall, S., Orr, D., Bradley, L., & Moorman, C. 2015. A review of organic lawn care practices and policies in North America and the implications of lawn plant diversity and insect pest management. HortTechnology, 25(4), 437-446. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH.25.4.437
Patton, A.J., N.E. Christians and Q. D. Law. 2016. Fundamental of Turfgrass Management. 2016. John Wiley & Sons. (see chapter 14).
Soldat, D., Stier, J., Kerns, J. & Williamson, C. 2011 Organic and reduced-risk lawn care. Univ. Wisconsin Ext. Coop. Ext. Publ. A3959. https://barron.extension.wisc.edu/files/2023/02/Organic-and-reduced-risk-Lawn-Care.pdf
Turner, T. 2013. Fertilizer recommendations for commercially managed lawns and turfgrass in Maryland. University of Maryland Turfgrass Technical Update TT115.
Concerns about the fate of chemicals applied to turfgrass and the passage of municipal ordinances placing restrictions on the cosmetic use of synthetic pesticides have heightened interest in organic lawn care. Unlike organic farming, there are no standards that have been defined and are subsequently regulated by a federal agency such as the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP). This has allowed lawn care companies that provide organic lawn services to self-define what constitutes an organic lawn care program. There is, however, widespread agreement among organic lawn care practitioners that the fertilizers, pesticides, and other substances used in an organic lawn care program need to be consistent with the guidelines for the use of these materials in the NOP. The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) reviews products for use in organic food production and provides an annual listing of these materials. This list serves as a basis for using products in most organic lawn care programs.
A fundamental precept of organic food production and plant management is that soil health is the primary driver of plant resilience. Soil health, in turn, is reliant on building up and sustaining soil organic matter levels that will improve soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Traditionally, organic practitioners have relied on the use of compost to build up soil organic matter. In established turfgrass, this is done by making twice-yearly topdressing (i.e., surface) applications that result in an annual addition of about 0.4 inches of compost. This practice is no longer possible in Maryland due to the Maryland Fertilizer Use Act of 2011. The act stipulates that yearly fertilizer application loads must be consistent with University of Maryland (UMD) recommendations. These recommendations place a cap on the amount of nitrogen (N), phosphorus, and potassium that can be added to turfgrass. Based on UMD N recommendations alone, the yearly application of 0.4 inches of a typical yard trimming compost, such as LeafGro, which is widely available within the state, will result in applying 4 times the maximum permissible N load to a tall fescue lawn. Use of biosolid compost would result in an even higher level of N loading. In soils containing high amounts of phosphorus, no compost at all can be applied to mature turfgrass.
The sheer volume of compost that needs to be applied to improve soil properties is another factor that can limit or eliminate the use of this material within a commercial organic lawn care program. In the case of parklands where the lawn area can be quite large, the inclusion of compost topdressing as part of an organic program can be problematic because of the labor and machinery needed to make the application.
What portion of Lawn Care Operators operating within the state offer organic lawn care programs?
What park systems within the state are practicing organic lawn care?
For park systems, is chemical lawn done in-house, or is it subcontracted out?
What materials are being used in organic lawn care programs by grounds managers and commercial lawn care companies operating in the state?
What are the greatest obstacles to implementing, or continuing to deliver, organic lawn care services?
