Landscape mulches are an important component to improving the sustainability of landscape systems. Mulches, particularly organic mulches, can enhance sustainability by reducing chemical inputs and the use of fossil fuels to maintain healthy and
The nursery and landscape industry is facing the loss of some of its most important landscape shrub crops, such as japanese barberry and winged euonymus, because of their invasive tendencies. Consumer awareness of invasiveness has reduced sales of
Landscape design and installation is a fast-growing and profitable segment of the horticulture industry ( Landscape Management, 2003 ). As the landscape profession grows and becomes more sophisticated, the demand for employees who can integrate
, New York, and other states in the region have recently enacted strict fertilizer laws that restrict the type, amount, and timing of fertilizer applications to turf ( NJDEP, 2010 ). Finally, landscaping is a competitive industry and offering
The landscape maintenance sector of the U.S. green industry generated over $58 billion in sales and employed over 1.1 million people in 2007 ( Hodges et al., 2011a ). In Florida alone, the landscape industry employed over 100,000 people and
Authors would like to thank Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association for their generous financial support and Ohio State University Extension administration for their vision and support. The cost of publishing this paper was defrayed in part
its increased use as fuel and landscape mulch ( Lu et al., 2006 ). The cost of peat substrates continues to rise due to transportation costs and growing environmental concerns over the mining of peat bogs in Canada and Europe. Therefore, alternative
brushing teeth), outdoor indirect water use (e.g., watering gardens, lawns, and landscapes) is discretionary. Whereas water for irrigation meets a physical need for plants, the water indirectly meets a psychological need by elevating homeowners’ perceived
Concern among water management officials, researchers, and the public regarding landscape water consumption has escalated as demands on potable water supplies increase in Florida and other populated regions ( Archer, 2002 ; Beeson and Gilman, 1992
the specific N requirements of growing plants ( Line et al., 2002 ). Both homeowners and landscape professionals can contribute to the improvement of water quality by fertilizing landscapes at the minimum required levels for healthy, attractive plants