91原创

STEP #2 - VISION and STRATEGY DISCUSSION听听

With information gathered from the Community Opinion Survey, vision and strategy discussions can proceed.听 The goal should be to develop a high level statement or short paragraph which will be helpful in guiding the overall landscape plan development. This takes time and multiple discussions may be needed during this stage with Board members and other stakeholders.听 It is important to consider both long term (25 years) and short term goals (1-5 years).听 Here are some questions to assist in the strategy discussions:听听

• Does the community have a formal or informal look and should the theme continue or be changed?听

• Does the community wish to implement more sustainable practices to maintain or improve overall ecosystem health?听

• Does the community want to increase water conservation and/or stormwater management efforts?

• Is the current tree canopy sufficient or should the tree canopy be increased?听听

• Does the community have enough open space or too much open space?

• Does the community wish to begin to add or increase native plantings for pollinators and ecosystem health?

• Does the community want more gardens, walking trails, etc.

• Is there a budget goal or limitation for improvements?

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Draft- SAMPLE LANDSCAPE VISION STATEMENT

The BEST PLACE TO LIVE COMMUNITY landscaping plan complements the community鈥檚 quiet and low-maintenance lifestyle with beautiful surroundings and strong land stewardship. Common areas are maintained using the most current ecologically sound and sustainable practices. Cost effectiveness comes from frequent monitoring of open space conditions, taking action when issues are small and manageable, and implementing solutions to achieve long-term goals over a reasonable period of time. Open spaces are adequate for recreational use and enjoyment and are healthy for people, pets, and the environment as a whole.听 This is evidenced by a high percentage of tree canopy, consistently high water quality, water conservation efforts, and the biodiversity of insects, birds, and aquatic life.听听

STEP #3 - SITE ASSESSMENT

Review and document the status of current open spaces and common property areas..听 Master plan documents or online maps can be utilized to document the areas. Google Maps or other topographical plans that show pitch and slope can provide an aerial view of the areas under consideration. Having several volunteers walk the areas, taking photos, is one way to get an up-close and current look. Look for volunteers who have some experience with grounds or gardening.

Identify areas under听Community Association responsibility by assigning a number and/or name to each. Having a consistent nomenclature will help with discussions and the management of action plans. Stormwater ponds, tax ditches, and bio retention areas should use the number or name reflected on the Master Plans for consistency. Determine the approximate square footage of each assessed area. The Google Earth website is helpful for this effort.听

Click HERE for a sample action plan

Click HERE for a blank spreadsheet

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MAPPING RESOURCES AND LINKS:

• 听provide information on soil type as well as the character and thickness of sediment beds, which impact drainage.听
• 听provide tools to determine area measurements of open space in developments.
• Sussex County online maps provide specific details and dimensions of the plots within the development.

In addition, stormwater management plan maps are a valuable resource and can be obtained by contacting .
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Site Assessment Considerations:

1. Soil type and nutrient level
2. Existing slopes within each open space area
3. Areas where water problems may exist (e.g. oversaturation, ponding, erosion, flooding)
4. Percentage of turf desired/needed to support desired activities versus existing conditions
5. Percentage of existing tree canopy to determine shade goals and plant selection
6. Degree to which the existing landscape meets sustainability goals
7. Existing landscape styles - formal versus informal
8. Existing plant types - trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, forbes, grasses, evergreen vs deciduous, paying special attention to native species worth conserving and to invasive species that will create long-term issues
9. Existing plant health
10. Approximate weed ratio and weed type(s)
11. Access to water for installation & maintenance
12. Desirable and undesirable view lines
13. Areas of excessive noise
14. Extent of overhead and underground public utilities ().听听
15. Private utilities (irrigation, security systems & electric fences) will not be identified by 811 (Miss Utility).听 A private company may need to be engaged to do this, or听Community Association documents may contain maps of existing systems.
16. Direction of prevailing summer and winter winds
17. Sun exposure (FS 6-8 hours, PS 4-6 hours, SH less than 4 hours)
18. Areas with soil erosion, exposed soil and/or compaction

STEP #4听 - PRIORITIZE AREAS

The Board or a committee will review the findings of the assessment and begin to prioritize the areas based on worst (needing immediate action) to best (no actions required).听

Here is an example of a priority grid:

• (4) VERY GOOD - common areas that reflect the character of the neighborhood and are functioning within parameters. Only typical maintenance is required. Where turf exists, a turf to weed target of greater than 75% is met.

• (3) ACCEPTABLE - common areas that are acceptable in the current state but where there are opportunities for improvement which may benefit the environment, reduce maintenance and/or costs to maintain, or become more pleasing to view. Bare soil is noted to be 10% or less and erosion is not apparent. Where turf exists, a grass to weed target of 75/25 is met.

• (2) NEEDS ATTENTION - common areas that require action within the next 12-24 months to improve appearance/function or to prevent extensive and costly repairs in the future. Bare soil noted to be greater than 10% but less than 50%;听 erosion is not apparent.听Where turf exists, a grass to weed target of 50/50 is observed, or standing water exists more than 72 hours after a rainfall.

• (1) FAILING - significant erosion, flooding which impacts safety or property value,听 bare soil is greater than 50%, numerous trees and shrubs not thriving, extensive invasive species growing in the area, or area is excessively noisy.听 Areas that are failing need priority attention. These areas do not reflect the character of the community and, in many cases, have the potential for exponential increases in cost to repair if not corrected in a timely manner.

STEP #5 - PLAN听 DEVELOPMENT

A landscape plan is a document that typically includes a scale drawing visually representing the design of the landscape, accompanied by written notes that detail requirements for plant material, hardscaping, utilities, setbacks and other topographical features. Because the landscape is constantly changing, great care should be exercised in selecting plants that will immediately create the desired aesthetic yet remain an appropriate size over a long period of time. Plans should be drafted with enough details to allow contractors to submit bids without the need for numerous clarifications. For large projects, you may want to engage a landscape architect before finalizing the plan; this will depend on the scope of the project and the skill set of your committee members.

Once an overall plan is developed, it may need to be phased based on the priorities assigned in Step 4. The plan should support the Community Association鈥檚 fiduciary responsibility to manage grounds efficiently and sustainably for the foreseeable future, as well as the members' desires as identified by the community survey in Step 1.听听

STEP #6 - DEVELOPING COST ESTIMATES

The landscape plan cost estimate should be created based on the prioritized phases developed in Step 4.听 Considerations should include:

• Installation costs - Mitigation of issues identified in Step 3.

• Aesthetic gratification - Do you want instant gratification or are you willing to wait for plant material to mature?听

• Types of plant material used - Seeds, plugs, potted plants, balled and burlapped.

• Maintenance considerations -听 Turf maintenance, pruning, annual flower plantings, mulching, watering, bare root and plant loss.

STEP #7 COMMUNICATION PLAN

Keep听Community Association members up to date with regular communications; consider including the following:

• Key information to be provided to the community throughout this process:

  • Results of survey(s) from Step 1

  • Overall vision and strategy

  • How areas are being prioritized (results from Step 4)

  • Landscape plan - Phases (results from Step 5)

• Projects that are out of scope due to cost.听 This may help the听Community Association gauge the willingness of members to pay for special projects.

• Communication prior to the start of a project explaining the purpose, what is being changed, expected results and impact on members adjacent to the project.

• Before and after photos of projects to show long term success.

STEP #8 IMPLEMENTATION 听

Consider the following when building the implementation plan:听听

• Watering requirements

• Time of year听

• Project management or oversight听

• Method of layout of the landscape plan according to the design

• Utilizing volunteers and/or contractors

Depending on the scope of work involved, implementing the landscape plan may involve entering into legally binding contracts with installation and/or maintenance vendors.听 Service Level Agreements (SLAs) should be an essential component of these vendor contracts and should set forth the specific expectations and standards of the parties.听 Having tightly worded vendor contracts helps prevent misunderstandings and ensure both parties are aware of their rights and responsibilities.听 Examples of SLA key elements include:

• Definition of terms and summary of objectives

• Response times for different types of maintenance requests

• Requirements and deliverables

• Procedures for handling breaches of contract

• Analytics and reporting expectations

• Communication protocols

• Cost and payment structure

• Insurance and liability clauses

• Dispute resolution procedures

By clearly defining these aspects, Community Associations can set measurable standards for vendor performance and hold service providers accountable for meeting their obligations. This approach helps minimize liability risks and ensures compliance with maintenance responsibilities.

STEP #9 - MONITOR PROGRESS/LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE

Periodic review of the plan execution is necessary.听 What is working?听 What is not working? The plan should be adjusted as necessary to achieve the strategic goals agreed upon and as property conditions change over time. Identify how 鈥渟uccess鈥� will be measured. For example, success may be defined as completing a project on time, on budget, and as per specifications. Monitoring how the area performs over time is also important. Initial photos of projects completed and photos over time are valuable for measuring success and communication to听Community Association members.听 Establishing a periodic timeline for landscape review will ensure project success.听听

Implementing an efficient system for residents to report landscape maintenance issues is important. This could involve using digital management tools or software to streamline communication and maintenance requests.听 These software platforms enable homeowners to submit maintenance requests online or through mobile apps, eliminating the need for phone calls or emails. The requests are then automatically routed to the appropriate board member or maintenance staff, ensuring that no issue falls through the cracks. This centralized approach to handling maintenance requests not only saves time but also creates a comprehensive record of all maintenance activities, which can be invaluable for future reference and planning.听 Moreover, an efficient work order system can help Community Associations prioritize tasks related to plant health, assign vendors, and track the progress of each maintenance request. This level of organization can lead to faster resolution times and improved communication with homeowners.
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Reference and Resource Links:

2. 听(DUCIOA)
6. 
   
7. Delaware's听听Summary:听 a summary of Delaware's Right to Farm law, which protects farmers from nuisance suits from neighboring property owners. For example, noise or pollution complaints.听
9. 听(a 鈥渉ow to鈥� guide from Home Grown National Park)
10. (NJ design is for Mid-Atlantic area complete with detailed plan and plant list, check out the multi-family home design).
11. 听: search for association documents filed for communities in New Castle County.

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Electrical Utility Planting Regulation Links:听

3. 听(contact the Town administration for information)
4. (See section XIII. ACCESS in the Electric Service Handbook)

5. (See Transformer Obstructions in Projects section and also section 4.6 in Electric Tariff document located in Help & Support > Documents & Forms)

6. 听(contact electrical department for guidance)
7. 听(review section 8.10)
9. 听(contact the City for information)
10. 听(contact the City for information)
11. 听(contact the City for information)

MOWING STRATEGIES FOR CONSIDERATION:

While it may be impossible to completely avoid damage to turf from mowing equipment, setting expectations,听 maintaining good communications, and working with your contractor to resolve issues, will produce better results.

Consider the following:

1. If turf is mostly tall fescue, reduce bagging of grass so that only certain areas are bagged (e.g. home lawns), or eliminate bagging of grass altogether.听 If bagging is currently done, communications to homeowners may be needed before making a change.听 Benefits of not bagging include increased nutrients which strengthen the soil, reduced fertilizer needs, reduced landfill debris, and reduced labor costs associated with collected/dumped clippings.听

2. 听Reduce cutting in sensitive areas. 听 Reducing the frequency of heavy equipment on fragile areas helps to reduce damage.听 For example, mowing slopes around a pond may only be needed bi-weekly.听 Open meadows may be cut back once or twice a year to keep weeds down and reduce volunteer trees and shrubs.

3. Eliminate mowing of steep banks around certain ponds by letting the buffer naturalize higher on the slope. A larger buffer is beneficial in capturing runoff and reducing pollutants from entering the water system, and is a good deterrent for geese.听

4. Reduce mowing during certain periods depending on turf type present.听 Tall fescue grass will begin to go dormant during hot dry weather while warm season grass such as zoysia will continue to grow. Vice Versa in the fall - tall fescue will be growing but zoysia will be starting to go dormant.听 If healthy, dormant turf will return to its听 鈥済reen鈥� state when conditions improve. Reducing the frequency of heavy mowing equipment on dormant turf can reduce damage. Many contractors build into their cost structure several weeks where mowing is not done due to weather conditions.听 Another alternative is to redirect service to garden bed weeding or other hardscape tasks during these periods. String trimming work can continue to keep the community looking well-kept.

5. Monitor areas frequently during the mowing season to identify areas where scalping or other damage may be occurring.听 Scalping occurs when the mower deck comes too close to the ground on the high end of a sloped area.听 Repeatedly cutting the grass too short may result in death of turf and/or increase in weeds.听 Keeping turf strong includes cutting it at the right height which allows the grass to take up enough moisture and nutrients to survive.听 At the right height, turf will remain dense enough to shade the soil and reduce weeds.听 Work with your contractor to develop a better mowing strategy for the area.听 If other damage such as tire ruts is evident, it may indicate an area that is not draining properly.听 Again, working with your contractor to develop a strategy for those areas is recommended.听

6. Consider fall aeration and overseeding especially in unirrigated areas, and where dog walking is frequent.听听

IRRIGATION TIPS:

Irrigation systems should be managed to prevent overwatering of lawns. Overwatering results in compacted soils, increased lawn diseases, shallow roots and weak turf, weeds, and damage from mowing attempts.听Sidewalks and driveways may also develop unsightly mold/algae. Watering appropriately may also reduce the wear and tear on your irrigation system and well pump.听 Water is a precious resource.听 Good stewardship includes practicing water conservation.听

Below are tips that may be helpful in irrigation system management:听

• Take time to get a good understanding of how your irrigation system is set up so that you can converse with your contractor about your overall watering strategy and problems that may develop.听

• The days to water and zone run times should be based on the season and weather conditions. Consult the chart in the to learn how much water is generally needed per week.听

• Set irrigation to run in the morning.听 Watering is more effective in the morning because there is less evaporation and the blades of grass dry quickly which aids in disease prevention.

• Irrigation System controllers:

  1. Irrigation systems that are remote controlled are especially helpful if you prefer to manage the shut down of systems during rain events. 听 Monitoring the weather and setting the system is easily accomplished through cell phone APPs or computer website accounts.听听

  2. Some systems on the market monitor the weather and adjust watering for you but keep in mind these may not accurately address conditions in all areas at your site.

  3. Reliance on a rain gauge on the irrigation system is not generally effective. 听 The system may still run if the rain begins after the system has initiated, or, it might be too sensitive and stop the system from running during a very light rain.听听

• Irrigation system placement: as you are planning to install an irrigation system, or make changes to your existing system, keep the following in mind:

  1. Irrigation heads should not be placed directly in a swale. 听This will cause over watering of the swale.听 Water will run into the swale which in most cases is enough to keep the area alive without overwatering.听 The contractor you hire may or may not follow this strategy so be sure to check with them on placement. Consult the for additional details.

  2. Irrigation heads should not be placed against a sidewalk if you are edging this area. The sprinkler head may be easily damaged.

  3. Set up separate zones for North, South, East, West exposures as each area will have different water requirements.

• Water 鈥渄eeply鈥� instead of 鈥渇requently鈥�.听 New sod will require more water until fully established.听 Well established turf will benefit from slow and deep watering.听 Watering every day is not recommended in any season for established lawns.

• Consider two short run cycles instead of one long one.听 This may allow for better saturation of water and reduce run-off.听 It is a slower method to deep soak the turf.听

• SHUT OFF irrigation two days before the scheduled mow day.听 Also consider shutting the system off several days ahead of a large rainfall prediction (e.g. 1鈥� or more), and leave it off until the soil has time to dry out which may take several days. Most systems have a 鈥渨eather delay鈥� function so that you can easily set the number of days for the system to pause.

• Keep shrubs trimmed back from irrigation sprinkler heads so that they operate effectively.

Reference and Resource Links:

听- a program to reduce fertilizer runoff from lawns, which is one of the biggest sources of contamination to waterways.听 Also listed are lawn care professionals who are part of this program.

Delaware Soil Testing Program听-听 how to take a soil sample, where to send it, and how to interpret results.

Integrated Pest Management听 -听91原创 Extension has experts who can help you in the areas of agricultural and ornamental pest management.

- a guide on turf grass selection, installation, and maintenance.

听- a quick guide to managing swales.

听- a quick guide loaded with tips on taking good care of turf grass, including when and how much to water and when to fertilize.

Turfgrass Madness听-听a brief history of lawns and information on why reducing lawns is a good idea.

Turfgrass Selection for Delaware听-听 recommended types of turf for Delaware.

Community Trees:听

During the land development of a community, there is often a loss of mature trees.听 Nevertheless, trees remain the most dominant feature in a Community Associations' landscape.听 When properly managed, most trees will have a very long life.听 Trees benefit Community Associations in many ways which include filtering the water, cleaning the air, cooling the climate, providing wildlife habitat, enhancing the soil, and supporting physical and mental wellbeing.听 It should be a goal of Community Associations to increase the percentage of tree canopy in a community, preferably in a contiguous manner which facilitates wildlife movement.听 To determine a Community鈥檚 baseline canopy an online GIS听 is available.听 This tool shows the percentage of tree canopy existing within many (but not all) communities.

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, planting large trees can increase property values anywhere from 3% to 15%. 听 A well-landscaped environment with mature trees is often more desirable to home buyers, leading to higher property values. A mature tree can have an appraised value of between $1,000 and $10,000 according to the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers. For more information about the value of trees, check out from Purdue University.

Tree Management Plan:

The 鈥渦rban forest鈥� within a Community Association consists of existing natural woodland areas, trees within common areas, trees in private yards, and street trees. The urban forest must be carefully managed. 听 It is recommended that a Community Association develop a comprehensive Tree Management Plan with a designated work group to guide the management process.听听听

To create a comprehensive Tree Management Plan, the following steps are recommended :

1. Review County ordinances, Federal and State wetland regulations, approved community design plans, architectural design guidelines, and Community Associations鈥� bylaws, rules and regulations. Knowing what limitations exist is essential for management and planning purposes.
   

2. Review results of community opinion surveys.
   

3. If a landscape strategy and plan have been developed (as referenced in 鈥淒eveloping a Landscape Strategy and Plan鈥� section of this website), review site assessment considerations, existing inventory of trees, and current plan. If the above step has not been completed, assess the current state of the community鈥檚 urban forest by completing an inventory of existing trees, including each tree's location, species, size and condition. Most communities will engage a certified arborist for this task.
   

4. Conduct a risk assessment of mature trees utilizing a certified arborist.听 This is particularly important relative to trees that existed at the time of land development, which may be stressed and vulnerable to insects/disease due to soil compaction, damage to root systems, installation of turf over tree roots, etc.听 Stands of trees that have been thinned are also vulnerable to 鈥渨indthrow鈥� (the uprooting and toppling of trees by the wind).
   

5. With the information above, goals can be established that are consistent with the overall Landscape Strategy and Plan. Aspects of a Tree Management Plan may include the following:

   1. Increasing total tree canopy by X%.

   2. Increasing diversity of trees.

   3. Prioritizing the use of native species.

   4. Removing or terminating the use of invasive or aggressive species.

   5. Creating habitat for songbirds and pollinators.

   6. Reducing the loss of trees.

   7. Improving tree safety (addressing any issues identified by the risk assessment).

Guides to developing a tree management plan can be found below:听听

(this is an example but not an endorsement)

Site Assessment Considerations:听听

If part of the Tree Management Plan involves planting additional trees,听 a site assessment should be performed before trees are purchased.听 To increase the chances that the trees will stay healthy and thrive, selecting the 鈥渞ight鈥� trees and planting them in the 鈥渞ight鈥� place is the goal.听听

Elements of a site assessment should include the following:

• Light exposure of the area (sun = 6+ hours, part shade = 4-6 hours, shade = under 4 hours).

• Wind conditions. In a windy location, trees may need additional staking during the first year or two.听

• Orientation.听 Whether the location exposure is North, South, East, or West.听

• Moisture levels. Determine if the area is mostly dry, average, or mostly wet/soggy.

• Soil compaction.听 If soil is compacted, additional work may be needed to prepare the ground for planting.听 Review "Combating Soil Compaction" from the 91原创 to learn how to tell if soil is compacted and what to do about it.听

• Soil type (clay, sand, loam).听 The 鈥�听tool may help determine the soil type.

• Soil pH (alkalinity or acidity).听 PH 听is determined by soil testing and is vital to the health of the tree.听 Soil pH can change over time and should be checked every three to five years. Selecting trees that thrive in the current pH level is preferred. 听 More information about soil pH can听be found online -听Delaware Gardener's Guide to Soil pH.

• Nearby structures.听 Structures should be identified and mapped so that trees are properly selected and placed. Examples:听

  • A tree with a mature width of 50 feet should not be planted 15 feet from the building because extensive pruning would be needed to prevent building听damage.
  • Buildings will likely have a shady side which may impact tree selection.听
  • Trees with large root systems may cause damage to foundations if planted too close to the structure.

• A tree with a mature width of 50 feet should not be planted 15 feet from the building because extensive pruning would be needed to prevent building听damage.听

• Buildings will likely have a shady side which may impact tree selection.听听

• Trees with large root systems may cause damage to foundations if planted too close to the structure.

• USDA Plant Hardiness zone should be considered when selecting trees.听 Consult the听听for the area.听 Because our climate continues to warm, selecting plants that thrive in the middle of the zone range indicated for that species may work better than selecting plants near the end of a zone range.听 Mt. Cuba has published a list of trees that are expected to perform better in a warming climate. Consult their website section called "鈥� for an explanation and a list of trees.听听

• Utility boxes and power lines are subject to specific regulations for planting.听 Website links and contact information are found in the section titled 鈥淒EVELOPING A LANDSCAPE PLAN鈥�.

• Underground utilities. Contact听听to locate all underground utilities.

Planting around utility and electrical equipment requires careful consideration:听听

• Independent Providers听

Tree Selection:听

A balanced distribution of trees by type and maturity is recommended. By choosing the appropriate species and distribution of trees to be planted in the community, the likelihood of severe insect or disease outbreak is reduced and the maintenance of the trees can be more evenly distributed over time.听
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Common Area/Woodland Trees:听听

Use of native trees, especially the 鈥渒eystone鈥� species,听 is recommended in at least 70% of new plantings.听 A listing of keystone species can be found at .听 Many beneficial insects such as butterflies and pollinators rely on these plants for their existence. Berries on native plants and trees have a higher fat content than their non-native counterparts, providing an important food source for migrating birds. In addition, because native plants have evolved in this familiar ecosystem, they require less irrigation, fertilizers, etc. once they are established.

Mature size is also a consideration.听 In common areas where homes are nearby, low-growing trees, those reaching 30-feet or less in height and width at full-term, are recommended

Other lists of tree species recommended for Delaware:听听

• 91原创 Cooperative Extension Tree Selection Guide

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Street Trees:听听

Trees planted in between sidewalks and streets or along streets are especially challenging.听听

The following considerations should be taken into account when choosing street trees:

• Mature size:听 Trees must be of sufficient height to allow people and cars to travel under and of moderate width so as not to protrude far over the street or yards.听 Trees with columnar, oval or vase-shaped crowns are good choices.

• Drought tolerance

• Heat tolerance (reflecting from roadways)

• Salt tolerance (from winter road treatment runoff)

• Soil compaction tolerance

• Fruit and nut production (which can create slipping hazards)

• Environmental conditions (sun, moisture, wind, etc.)

• Pollution tolerance

• Wood strength

• Desired features - fall beauty, flowering, etc.

• Trees without prominent superficial roots

Suggestions of street trees for Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic can be found at the following sites:

Native cultivars of trees such as the American Hornbeam (a recommended street tree) may be explored when looking for trees with particular form, fall color, size, and other characteristics.听听

Planting Trees:

Planting a tree correctly is crucial for the long-term health of the tree. For example, many trees die in the first few years because of being planted too deep. Comprehensive information on the planting and care of trees may be found at the following site:

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Staking:听

Studies have shown that trees develop stronger trunks and roots if they are not staked. However, staking may be required when planting on windy sites.听 Stakes should be removed after the first year of growth.听 The Arbor Day Foundation gives further instructions regarding staking in a bulletin called 鈥�.

Watering:听 Newly planted trees will require at least 1-2 gallons per inch caliper of the tree, two to three times a week.听 Slow percolation is best.听 The first three years are the most critical.听 Check soil moisture when watering. Some trees can tolerate 鈥渨et feet鈥� more than others.听 Watering too much can be dangerous for new trees because root diseases, root rot, and suffocation may occur. Look for standing water or continuous soggy conditions around the tree.听

Consider soil types:听 heavy clay may hold more water and be prone to compaction vs. sandy soils.听 Planting methods may be different based on soil type.听 It is important to backfill with the same soil that was removed when the hole was dug. Otherwise the roots will not expand properly.听 Tips for are available through Penn State University.听

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Maintenance:

As most Community Associations will contract out maintenance for trees, the following information is provided as guidance for managing contractors and assessing the quality of the service being provided.
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• Mulching:听

  Mulch should be applied to maintain soil moisture,听 improve soil conditions, and protect common area trees from damage such as mowers and string trimmers.听 It is important that proper mulching techniques are followed to avoid damage to trees. For example, mulch and soil from edging may be piled too high around trees and shrubs which can result in disease and decay. Guidance on is available.
  听

• Pruning:听

  Pruning of all trees may be needed, especially street trees.听 Reasons for pruning include shaping the tree, removing hazards, facilitating movement under trees for walking and grounds maintenance, and for the overall health of the tree.听 The timing of pruning is important to maintain tree health. For guides to pruning trees, see the following sites:

  A Guide to Successful Pruning:听 Evergreen Trees

  听

Integrated Pest Management:

Periodic surveillance of trees for disease and insects is needed.听 Employing integrated pest management strategies is a best practice for maintaining healthy trees, reducing the need for pesticides.听听

Integrated Pest Management Overview

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Choosing An Arborist Or Tree Service:

The International Society of Arboriculture maintains an informative website that includes a searchable database of certified arborists by zip code.听 More information can be found at .

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Grant Opportunities:

Tree planting projects can be costly to Community Associations.听Grants for tree planting are often available but change frequently based on the amount of funding year to year and number of communities applying for the funds.听 When searching for grants, the following websites may be helpful:听

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Reference and Resource Links:

:听 Provides an introduction to the preparation of a strategic approach to the care and maintenance of a community forest.听听

A Guide to Successful Pruning:听 Evergreen Trees: Guidance from the 91原创 Cooperative Extension on how, what and when to prune evergreen trees.

:听 Guidance from the听 Virginia Cooperative Extension on how, what and when to prune deciduous trees.

Combating Soil Compaction:听听a brief fact sheet describing soil compaction, how to prevent it, and what to do about it.

: 听 This tool is provided by the Delaware Forest Service and shows the percentage of tree canopy in many developments throughout Delaware.听 The tool can be used by community associations to assess their current level of tree cover as a starting point.听听

:听 Guidance from Virginia Cooperative Extension on when to prune deciduous trees.

:听 Lists street trees that are suitable for Delaware, their growth rate, shape and environmental tolerances.

:听 Provides a guide to choosing the right tree for the right place.

Delaware Gardener's Guide to Soil pH: a guide that describes what soil pH is and why it鈥檚 important.

:听 Provides a list of tree species native to Delaware, as well as their wildlife value.

: the website for requesting underground utilities marking.

听 Information about the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative and other funding opportunities.听

: This guide provided by the Virginia Cooperative Extension provides guidance on when to prune evergreen trees.

:听 Arbor Day Foundation bulletin regarding selecting, planting, watering, mulching and planting trees.

Integrated Pest Management听 -听91原创 Extension has experts who can help you in the areas of agricultural and ornamental pest management.

:听 Detailed integrated pest management strategies provided by NC State Extension.

:听 Lists alternatives to invasive species.

:听 Guidance from the听 International Society of Arboriculture on proper mulching techniques.

: a study and report prepared by Mt. Cuba to determine which tree species is likely to survive in Delaware鈥檚 future climate.

:听 Arbor Day Foundation bulletin that explains the benefits of planting the right trees in the right place.听 Note:听 Numerous useful bulletins regarding trees are available at this site.

:听 a guide to explain tree value.

:听 A comprehensive guide to selection, planting, and maintaining trees.

:听 Search tool provided by the International Society of Arboriculture to find an arborist and verify a credential.

91原创 Cooperative Extension Tree Selection Guide:听 Lists recommended trees for Delaware, as well as information about selecting, planting and caring for trees.

:听 Provides steps to managing trees in a Community Associations. Note that this is an example and not an endorsement.听

:听 Lists trees for the Mid-Atlantic with detailed information about the tree characteristics and appropriate landscape uses.

:听 Use your zip code to find your听 plant hardiness zone.听

:听 Guidance from Penn State University on tree planting in construction sites.

:听 This tool may be used to map an area and its related soil map.

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Planting:

Best practices for planting trees also applies to shrubs. The University of Maryland publication 鈥溾�� provides valuable information on preparing the site and planting.听

Pay special attention to the following:

• Depth and width of planting to avoid planting too deep and provide proper space for root expansion.听

• Sufficient space for mature plants determined by reviewing the maximum height and width noted on plant tags or other resources听

• Proper mulching - avoid overmulching and keep mulch away from the trunk of the shrub.

• Sufficient watering, initially and for the first two years until the shrub has had enough time to establish roots.听 Refer to the publication on听 for more guidance.

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Maintaining shrubs:

• Perform regular visual assessments of shrubs looking for signs of insect damage, diseases, and pruning needs. Once a month would be ideal if feasible.听

• Use an Integrated Pest Management approach to address insect damage or disease. Consider contracting with a plant care company that practices Integrated Pest Management.Review the publication s for guidance.

• Defer fertilizer applications unless a soil test shows a deficiency in a nutrient.听 Some plant care companies will offer fertilizer programs but this may not be of value, especially if you are using native plants in your landscape and plants are suited to the pH level already.听 Fertilizers are expensive and end up in the water system when not taken up by the plant.听听

• Consider adding compost every few years to build soil structure.听 This is especially valuable in new developments where topsoil was removed.听

• Mulch properly by keeping mulch 5 to 10 inches away from trunks of shrubs.听 Consider removing old mulch before applying a fresh layer if the older mulch has not yet decomposed.听 Over time, mulch may build up to a level that impedes water and air from getting to roots. Review fact sheet.听

• Consider soil testing initially to determine PH levels and nutritional requirements, then periodically if a plant is showing decline. For reduced maintenance, choose plants that are tolerant of the soil PH present.听

• Develop a pruning plan and schedule. The best time to prune depends on the species of shrub. Pruning at the wrong time can interfere with the blooming cycle, and impact overall health of the shrub. The Virginia Cooperative Extension provides 鈥�.听

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Reference and Resource Links:

听a detailed guide shows when to prune various types of shrubs, published by the Virginia Cooperative Extension office.

Combating Soil Compaction: A fact sheet describing soil compaction, how to prevent it, and what to do about it.

: a listing of many shrubs and some trees suitable for Kent and Sussex County Delaware.

Delaware Gardener's Guide to Soil pH: A guide that describes what soil pH is and why it鈥檚 important.

: website for requesting underground utilities marking.

: co-founded by Professor Doug Tallamy, the site includes information about the benefits of planting natives, plant lists, videos, and plants for purchase.

2026 pest management guide.听 An extensive document on pesticide application and integrated pest management practices.

Integrated Pest Management听 -听91原创 Extension has experts who can help you in the areas of agricultural and ornamental pest management.

:听 Detailed integrated pest management strategies provided by NC State Extension.

:听 a listing of shrubs with descriptions and companion planting suggestions.听 Shrubs are mostly native and native cultivars.听 May include shrubs from other regions that may perform well in Delaware.

Native Plants for Delaware Landscapes: a listing of native trees and shrubs for Delaware.

听 a listing of native shrubs from the University of Maryland

search by zip code for a list of native plants, including shrubs, that create bird friendly habitats.

: plant list produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides an extensive listing of plants for mountain, piedmont, and coastal plain. Shrubs begin on page 43. Plant lists based on site conditions start on page 66.

a listing of native tree and shrub alternatives to invasive plants.听听听

:听 covers the importance of pruning, outlines key pruning techniques, and provides recommendations on when to prune according to whether shrubs flower in spring or summer.

Pruning Woody Plants: a guide from 91原创EL on pruning trees and shrubs.

: a recording by Professor Doug Tallamy on the importance of restoring insects.

describes functions of shrubs, planting, and maintenance.

:听 extensive information on choosing, planting, and caring for shrubs; includes landscape designs and plant lists.听

:听Plant Sale Catalog

:听 Use your zip code to find your听 plant hardiness zone.

:听 watering guidance published by the University of Maryland Extension.

: NRCS has soil maps and data available online for more than 95 percent of the nation鈥檚 counties

What is a meadow:听听

Originally, the term was used to describe a field that was not mowed in order to produce hay. Today, the term describes a largely unmanaged natural area that contains mostly grasses and wildflowers. Meadows can be any size, but the larger they are, the better the benefit for wildlife. . Even the smallest garden spaces can be transformed into low-maintenance miniature or pocket meadows that can still make a big contribution towards increasing the ecological value of the landscape.听
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Benefits:

Meadows provide many important ecosystem services, including the following:

• Filter stormwater, store carbon, recycle nutrients, and build soil.

• Provide food, shelter and nesting sites for many species of bees, butterflies, moths and other beneficial insects, as well as birds and small mammals.听

• Improve soil structure by enhancing water infiltration and increasing organic matter content. These attributes fortify soil health, minimize erosion, and enhance the resilience of the surrounding ecosystem.听

• Reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides, which saves money.

• Help combat the accelerating rate of decline in pollinator populations. Refer to the article 鈥溾�� which discusses this issue and other benefits of meadows.听

In addition, meadows enhance the aesthetics of a community, promote community pride, and provide opportunities for learning about plants and beneficial insects. A succession of flowers and bloom times creates multi-season interest.

Types of Meadows:听

There are a number of different types of meadows, including those that can be planted once a year, and those along ditches or swales.

• Perennial meadows consist mostly of grasses and flowering plants, which usually return each year. Typically, it takes two to three years to fully establish. Perennial plants spend their first year expanding their roots. In the second year, these plants begin to grow and spread above ground.听 By the third year, a perennial meadow will be fully established and will require only occasional weeding and mowing.
  

• Annual Meadows consist mostly of plants that complete their life cycle in a single year.听 They are typically started with a pre-packaged meadow mix that can provide lots of color. To maintain the color and species mix, annual meadows need to be replanted each year. It is possible that some of the annual plants will return the following year from self-seeding. It is important to carefully check the seed mix lists to avoid unwanted aggressive and nonnative plant species. For more information about annual meadows and the types of plants to avoid, check this fact sheet titled 鈥溾�� by Penn State Extension.

• Pocket meadows or gardens are small-scale native plant gardens designed to mimic the open character and ecological benefits of natural meadows. They can be tucked into various spaces in urban and rural landscapes, such as around mailboxes, along driveways, traffic circles, 鈥渄evil strips鈥� (the grassy area between the sidewalk and a roadway), or next to a house.听 听

• Drainage ditches (other than 鈥淭ax鈥� ditches) manage floodwaters, moving water away from roadways and property. Adding native plants to these ditches can help reduce erosion and reduce pollution from entering the waterways. The are more extensive than the turf grass that typically lines ditches. The roots hold the soil in place while allowing more water to soak into the soil. The has some good information about how to听 transform these spaces into 鈥淒esigner Ditches鈥�.听

Considerations Before You Begin:

• Review ordinances that may be applicable in your city, town or county. is where you will find County information on property maintenance. Seek guidance from your city/town and/or county to learn about requirements or limitations.听 Also review Federal and State wetland regulations, approved community design plans, architectural design guidelines, and Community Associations鈥� covenants,听 bylaws, and rules, regulations, and restrictions.听 Knowing what limitations exist is essential for management and planning purposes.

• If a landscape strategy and plan have been developed (as referenced in 鈥淒eveloping a Landscape Strategy and Plan鈥� section of this website), review site assessment considerations and the current plan.听Knowing the long-term plan for the common areas is important so re-work is avoided.

• Review community site plans for property lines, etc.

• Review results of community opinion surveys. Does the community support the idea of a meadow, or is there a need to educate community members about the value of a meadow?听听

Setting Expectations:

• Set a realistic expectation of what the meadow will look like over time and communicate that to community association members. Many, if not most, native plants will take three years to fully establish root systems and have mature blooms. Including a mix of plants that bloom quickly with those that take more time may be part of the overall plan. As the meadow matures, the types and colors of plants in bloom will likely change.听

• Stable meadows are composed of 50 to 70 percent grasses. To ensure that meadows continue to have vibrant colors from wildflowers, Community Associations may want to consider creating several small clusters of wildflowers in discrete areas around the grasses.

Establishing the Meadow:

1. Identify potential sites. Here are some examples:

   • Turf areas that are used very little for recreation or walking.

   • Turf areas that are weak and need refurbishing. For example, unirrigated areas in full sun.

   • Areas that could be improved aesthetically, providing more opportunity to observe wildlife.

2. Perform a site assessment if one has not been previously performed. A site assessment will indicate what types of plants will thrive in the area.

   • Determine the amount of sun the area receives. The area should generally receive at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.听

   • Is the area mostly dry, average or mostly wet/soggy?

   • Test the soil to determine its acidity or pH.听听

   • What type of soil is it: clay, sandy, loamy, combination?

3. Mark off the area that will become the meadow.听听

4. Remove turf and unwanted vegetation from the site.听 There are several methods that you can use such as:听

   • Solarization and Occultation: the process of placing plastic sheeting over a field, garden bed or lawn to heat up the soil underneath. The intention is to kill weeds or grass, though it can have added benefits of reducing pathogen populations in the soil. To achieve the best results, a specific process of placing the plastic sheeting should be followed.听 Refer to guidance at the links below:

   • Sheet mulching: use layers of cardboard, newspaper and other mulch material to smother the grass and other unwanted plants to create a plant bed. Allow the new garden bed to rest for a period of time (over a season). The vegetation under the cardboard will be smothered and the mulch will begin to break down, building organic matter and improving soil quality.听 This video on describes a simple three-step method.

   • Broad Spectrum Herbicides: can be used provided they are applied in accordance with label instructions.听In some cases, a certified and licensed applicator will be needed to comply with .

     1. Use herbicides with caution. Follow all label instructions, including use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and do not spray when weeds are in bloom or bees are present.听

   • Other Turfgrass Removal Methods:

     1. Manually remove sod for small听 areas.听 Use a garden spade to slice 听through the top 1-2 inches of sod and soil. Turn over the sod pieces onto an area next to the garden plot. Sod contains valuable topsoil and organic matter and should not be thrown out. Allow the sod to dry out. When the sod turns completely brown, mix it back into the soil.听

     2. Rent a sod cutter for larger areas or engage a contractor to remove sod from larger areas. A sod cutter will remove strips of sod, which you can then flip over and leave in place. Turn it over to dry out and kill the roots. After the sod turns completely brown, mix it back into the soil.听

     3. For more information, refer to published by the University of Maryland Extension.听

5. Selecting Plants:

   • Choose a mix of grasses and perennials.听 A native meadow will typically have 50 percent to 70 percent grasses.

   • Select native plant species that fit the sunlight and soil moisture conditions of the site.听 For more information about the importance of using native plants, explore website.

   • If you have shaded spots in your meadow,听 Mt. Cuba offers a 鈥溾�� brochure that lists perennials and shrubs that perform well in shade. .

   • Consider including , especially late season blooming plants which bees and butterflies depend on for nutrition.听

   • Using a seed mix? Refer to Establishing Meadows from Seed

   • For step by step instructions on how to establish a meadow using plant plugs, refer to 鈥溾�澨�

Maintaining the Meadow:

• Watering: 听

Determining how much and how often to water meadow plantings involves many variables: whether planting from seed or plugs, whether soil conditions are wet or dry, whether soil is sandy or loamy, how sunny or shady the area is, and the area鈥檚 hardiness zone. It is best to consult resources that provide specific guidance based on the conditions of the meadow area.听

Another key consideration is timing. Planting the meadow between late fall and early spring should reduce the need for manual watering. Planting during this time frame may give plants a chance to establish before heat and drought periods.

• Maintenance:

  • Mow the meadow periodically in the first year to a height of 6-12 inches to control weeds and encourage strong root development.听

  • Mow once or twice a year in subsequent years. Mow in late fall, or early spring before new growth emerges. An early Spring mowing will chop up old leaves and allow new stems to emerge more quickly and not disturb wildlife nesting.听

  • Add 鈥渃ues of care鈥�, such as a mowed path around or through the meadow for access,听 or added border materials around the meadow. These 鈥渃ues of care鈥� are important to show ongoing maintenance of the area.听

  • Consider selective pruning to manage the size of plants and encourage additional blooming. See Mt Cuba Center鈥檚 article on for more information.听听

  • Manage invasives such as Canada thistle, Japanese honeysuckle, privet, bradford/callary pear trees, etc. by cutting and removing them and/or using herbicides occasionally.听 As the meadow fills the space and covers the soil, removal efforts will decrease.听听

  • Prevent woody species from taking over with periodic mowing. If trees and woody shrubs increase, selective removal will be required unless the plan is for an area to re-forest over time.听听

  • Reduce weeds and turf grasses from invading by setting lawn mowers to side-cast clippings away from the meadow.

  • Keep a close eye on your meadow during the first year. Learn to distinguish the native plants from the weed species that will try to invade the meadow.

  • Reseed as needed periodically if the meadow is planted with 鈥渁nnual鈥� plants or, in other cases, for additional color and interest.

Reference and Resource Links:

1. :听 this article from Mt. Cuba describes a pruning technique that increases flowers and reduces 鈥渇lop鈥� of large plants.

2. Delaware Soil Testing Program: 听describes how to obtain a soil sample kit, how to take the sample and where to send it.听 听听

3. :听 a link to chapter 12, subchapter II, Regulation of sale and use of Pesticides and Devices.

4. - property maintenance regulations by County.

5. Establishing a meadow from seed:听 a 91原创 publication.听

6. includes plant recommendations.

7. : a publication from the Xerces Society with step by step instruction for creating and maintaining a flower meadow from seed..

8. find information and resources to help with creating native habitat.

9. : a step-by-step description of planting a meadow with plugs.

10. : a listing of keystone native plants of the Eastern Temperate Forest region.

11. : a fact sheet from UMD describing various methods of turf removal.

12. Livable Plants Landscape: includes a listing of plants for the Delaware region by site conditions.

13. 听 a guide for establishing听 meadows to support native bees.

14. : discusses basic methods of meadow creation with plant suggestions, published by PennState Extension.

15. : an overview of the benefits of native meadows and how to establish them from seed. Take note of the maintenance cost estimates and diagrams. The guide focuses on creating a plant community made up of native grasses, sedges, and forbs, grown from seed.

16. 听 explains how a 10-acre meadow was created.

17. 听 offers several publications, including converting lawns to meadows and designer ditches.

18. :听 examples of native plant root systems.

19. 听 a plant list for wet to moist soils, shade to part shade published by PennState Extension.

20. : a plant list for shade areas.

21. 听 a comprehensive guide for establishing and maintaining large meadows published by Xerces Society.

23. : a guide for creating small meadow areas.

24. : discusses meadow benefits and provides a brief summary of steps to create a meadow garden.听

25. : 听provides guidance on solarization for garden bed preparation.

26. :听 provides guidance on solarization methods for garden bed preparation.

28. :听 plants for shady areas, published by Mt. Cuba Center.

Meadows to visit and Local Initiatives:

• 听听

• Tower Hill home development located on New Road in Lewes听

• native plantings in small meadows.

• 听听

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Possible Seed Sources:

• Ernst Seeds: 听 a regional native seed source with species that perform well in our state.

• search seed mixes by region to obtain native seeds that perform well in our state.

• : a regional native seed source.听

• Inquire about seed purchases through your storm water pond contractor.听听

Reference to retail establishments are given as examples only and are not the only places to purchase seeds and plants, nor is this an endorsement of the product or services offered.