Residential Resources

This guide provides information on lawn care such as erosion control, irrigation, fertilization and weed control.

Multiflora rose is an invasive plant found in Virginia. This factsheet provides information on how to identify, where to look for, and how to control multiflora rose.

Chinese privet is an invasive plant found in Virginia. This factsheet provides information on how to identify, where to look for, and how to control Chinese privet.

This document discusses the benefits of composting as well as how and what to compost.

This report provides general information on environmentally-friendly landscaping throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The text covers everything you need to know from soil erosion to environmentally-friendly fertilizers.

This guide and video provides a step by step how to build a rain barrel.

This guide walks you through how to build a rain barrel including materials and tools needed for the project.

This guide provides information to identify common shrubs and vines in Virginia.

This article explains the purpose of conservation landscaping.

This publication discusses the eight essential elements of conservation landscaping.

This document discusses the use of herbicides for controlling invasive plants and the various ways to apply these herbicides.

This publication examines the habitat requirements for birds, hummingbirds and butterflies, and then gives an overview of planning your garden space to accommodate them.

Mile-a-minute vine is an invasive plant found in Virginia. This factsheet provides information on how to identify, where to look for, and how to control mile-a-minute vine.

Autumn olive is an invasive plant found in Virginia. This factsheet provides information on how to identify, where to look for, and how to control autumn olive.

Kudzu is an invasive plant found in Virginia. This factsheet provides information on how to identify, where to look for, and how to control Kudzu.

Tree of heaven is an invasive plant found in Virginia. This factsheet provides information on how to identify, where to look for, and how to control tree of heaven.

This document provides a step by step approach for homeowners to decide whether to install a rain garden or other conservation practice on their property. The text covers how to design and install several practices from rain gardens to permeable hardscapes for homeowners to install on their own.

Demonstration video of performing a soil infiltration test. This test helps determine whether a practice that encourages rainwater infiltration is suitable for your property.

This article discusses the required elements for a wildlife habitat including food, water, cover and space. These elements are important when landscaping for wildlife.

Demonstration video of assembling a rain barrel kit.

This book discusses the benefits of conservation landscaping and provides information for a list of plants native to the Chesapeake bay watershed.

This factsheet provides information on what permeable pavement is, how it works, and how to properly maintain it.

This guide recommends native plants that will add aesthetic beauty to your gardens and landscapes.

Native plants are historic to the region, help give us a sense of place, and are an important part of our local ecosystem. A panel of local experts chose these plants based on their current or potential availability, their overall aesthetic interest, and their likelihood to grow well without major care.

This fact sheet features regionally native plants that are highly attractive to pollinators and are well-suited for small-scale plantings in gardens, urban greenspaces, and farm field borders, and on business and school campuses.

This fact sheet provides information on what rain barrels are and how they work.

This is a step by step guide for installing a rain garden at home. This guide provides technical and practical information to help
you set reasonable goals and build the rain garden that functions best at your site.

This webpage provides information on what rain gardens are, how they work, and considerations for constructing a rain garden.

This guide provides information to create a  landscape feature that will: solve drainage problems, address erosion problems, improve water quality, create wildlife habitat and/or create a garden focal point.

This brochure discusses ways homeowners can reduce pollution in runoff.

This publication discusses different grass tolerance to drought, and efficient strategies to irrigating your lawn.

This brochure discusses how to build a rain garden and the benefits of rain gardens.

This guide provides instructions to create a rain garden including plant selection, installation, and maintenance.

This brochure discusses how to reduce pollution during vehicle maintenance.

This manual provides information on how to design, install, and maintain conservation practices including conservation landscaping, rain gardens, permeable hardscapes, infiltration practices, and green roofs,

This online tool is designed to help property owners in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed develop a plan to install a Rain Garden or Conservation Landscape in their yards.