Bay-Wise in Anne Arundel

A smarter way of gardening and lawn care for a cleaner, healthier Chesapeake Bay and watershed – ​including your own backyard.

​​Do you want to save money, reduce garden maintenance, AND protect the Chesapeake Bay? Master Gardeners trained by the University of Maryland are available to help you evaluate your gardening practices to do just that. 

Learn about being a more responsible landowner by adopting non-polluting methods of lawn care, pest and disease control, composting and stormwater control—approaches that support wildlife and protect our local waterways. 

You can make a Bay-Wise difference, starting right in your yard.

There are many gardening and lawn practices homeowners can begin to adopt to support the health of the Chesapeake Bay and overall environment. Many may be less time consuming and less costly than how you currently care for your landscape. Some practices may help transform your backyard into an inviting oasis for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Whether you take baby steps or decide to tackle a big chunk of your landscape, every good practice can make a difference toward sustainability.  ​

Native plants are indigenous to our coastal plain region and have thrived without human intervention for hundreds of years or more.

They have adapted to our climate, require less water, are disease and pest resistant, need little or no fertilizer and support our native wildlife including hundreds of species of birds and beneficial insects. ​All these qualities make native plants an indispensable asset to your garden.

Native plants help create landscapes that possess the charm and character of our local natural history, while contributing to the conservation of our nation’s species. 
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​Where can you buy native plants? 

Click here for a list of certified growers and retailers

Recognize and understand that some insect damage is okay, and that the vast majority of insects are beneficial.  
​Improper use of pesticides can harm humans, pets, beneficial organisms, and the environment. Pesticides should be used only for treatment of serious insect, weed, and disease problems. When confronted with a pest, consider all possible alternatives, and use a pesticide only as a last resort. 

Insects: Our Most Under-Appreciated Neighbors

Bay-Wise gardeners realize that everything is connected. We know the way we manage our yards impacts on our communities, our waterways, and our glorious Chesapeake Bay.

Whether a resident is gardening on a balcony, in a courtyard, on acres of land, or on the waterfront, the smart choices they make today can make a difference for a healthier bay.

Pollinator Gardens to support bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects

1.Recycle organic yard and kitchen waste on-site. 

2.Capture and use precipitation where it falls. 

3.Plant and conserve a wide variety of native plants. 

4.Protect pollinators and beneficial insects. 

5.Reduce hazards to fish & wildlife. 

6.Shrink your lawn footprint. 

7.Protect our waterways and shorelines. 

8.Educate friends, family, and neighbors about MD Living Landscapes practices.

Master Gardeners will visit your yard to show you how sustainable gardening practices can help protect our environment and save you money.  Please click the button below to fill out the interest form.  

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