An interview with experts: Are backyard mosquito sprays safe and effective?
August 2, 2023 9:29 am 49 CommentsWe get a lot of questions and concerns about backyard mosquito sprays. We interviewed two experts to learn more about
Author Archives for Mary Travaglini
No Mow May? How about Mow Better May!
May 4, 2023 2:38 pm Leave your thoughtsNo Mow May? How about Mow Better May! You’ve heard the catchy phrase about “No Mow May” and think, does
Do’s and Don’t’s for Outdoor Fires in Montgomery County
April 13, 2023 8:51 am 1 CommentHaving a fire in your backyard or patio?–stay safe, protect your neighbors, and protect the environment! *Be weather aware! Outdoor
10,000 Trees Planted! Celebrating 8 years of TreeMontgomery
March 31, 2023 5:00 pm 1 CommentTree Montgomery has planted more than 10,000 shade trees! Montgomery County DEP staff celebrated a tremendously successful 8 years of
5 Common Lawn Pests and How to Manage Them
March 1, 2023 10:10 pm 1 CommentIs your lawn being harmed by a pest? Find out how to identify the culprit and the best way to
Flame weeding–a great replacement for herbicides!
February 10, 2023 9:42 am 2 CommentsHave pesky weeds in your patio or sidewalk cracks? Want to control weeds in mulched beds without herbicides? Try flame
Going Green in the Afterlife?
January 10, 2023 12:01 pm 12 CommentsGreen Funerals: Eco-Friendly Options For Your Remains While we might not all know where we go in the afterlife, one
The future is here! All about Robot Mowing.
October 24, 2022 4:28 am 3 CommentsThe Next Big Home Automation: Robot Mowing Are you looking for efficient, state of the art equipment to take care
Is it time for a new lawn mower? Go Electric!
October 1, 2022 11:02 am 8 CommentsIs it time for a new lawn mower? If you are in the market for a new lawn mower, take
Do you like fireflies? Leave the leaves to save them!
October 1, 2022 10:10 am 1 CommentDo you like fireflies? Leave the leaves to save them! Written by Kay Taub Are you seeing fewer fireflies in
Yard care tips for the fall
September 9, 2022 10:00 am 65 CommentsFall is one of the best times to improve your lawn, trees, shrubs, and garden. The basic maintenance you do
Which way to spray for ticks and mosquitoes?
August 8, 2022 9:58 am 2 CommentsThe environment is so in fashion. But a healthy runway doesn’t include bug bites or Lyme disease, so when many
Control Mosquitos without Toxic Pesticides!
April 15, 2022 10:50 am 9 CommentsDid you know you can virtually eliminate the mosquito population in your yard and neighborhood with a few simple, non-toxic
Bring some vegan and cruelty-free actions into your home in 2022!
December 14, 2021 11:00 am Leave your thoughtsLiving a vegan and cruelty-free lifestyle requires dedication and commitment, but it can have a significant positive impact on our
Give the Gift of a Greener Yard!
December 1, 2021 1:31 am Leave your thoughtsStuck on what to get your loved ones for holiday gifts? How about gifts to “green up” their yard care?
Unclog the Bay: Keep your neighborhood storm drains clean!
November 12, 2021 2:21 pm 1 CommentHave you noticed a storm drain in front of your home or business, school, or house of worship? Take these
Five Great Ways to Use Fall Leaves
November 5, 2021 2:50 pm 16 CommentsIt’s almost fall in North America, and many folks soon might find themselves laboring for hours raking leaves to the
Electric Lawn Equipment–Consider “Corded” options!
October 26, 2021 1:47 pm Leave your thoughtsGoing electric with your yard care? Consider corded equipment! Why Should I Transition to Electric Lawn Equipment? Gas powered lawn
How to Green your summer BBQ
August 12, 2021 3:44 pm Leave your thoughtsMake your BBQ a little lighter on the planet! Check out some of these easy ways to “green” your event.
Outdoor Activities That Are Fun for the Whole Family
August 7, 2021 11:32 am Leave your thoughtsWritten by Jenny Miller at Stop NDD (nature deficit disorder) Are you looking for some wholesome entertainment for you and the kids?
6 Steps to Host a Fun and Safe Summer Shindig
July 2, 2021 12:08 pm 1 Comment6 Steps to Host a Fun and Safe Summer Shindig Written by Jenny Miller at Stop NDD (nature deficit disorder) Summer is
5 Tips to Have a Sustainable Garden
May 1, 2021 1:18 pm Leave your thoughts5 Tips to Have a Sustainable Garden If you own a garden, you must be knowing how lovely it feels
Protect Pollinators from Pesticides
April 4, 2021 12:21 pm 2 CommentsWhat is Pollination? Pollination is a reproductive process in where pollen is transferred from the male part of plant to
How to Make Your Garden More Eco-friendly
March 26, 2021 2:56 pm Leave your thoughtsHow to Make Your Garden More Eco-friendly Photo by Kat Jayne from Pexels Protecting the environment should be our main focus, and improving
Lawn “Weeds” a Problem?
March 21, 2021 10:40 am 4 CommentsLawn “Weeds” a Problem? You’re looking at your lawn, and thinking there’s a few too many weeds in there. Before
Experts Share 21 Ways to Incorporate Eco-Conscious Swaps for a Greener Home
March 14, 2021 1:07 pm Leave your thoughtsOriginally published by Redfin Experts Share 21 Ways to Incorporate Eco-Conscious Swaps for a Greener Home Practicing greener habits at
Going Green: 8 Excellent Environment-Friendly Home Office Solutions
March 3, 2021 1:53 pm 1 CommentGoing Green: 8 Excellent Environment-Friendly Home Office Solutions The world is undeniably changing. However, it is not always changing for
Rectifying A Rotten Air Problem in Your Home
March 1, 2021 2:08 pm 1 CommentRectifying A Rotten Air Problem Poor air quality may appear to be a problem associated with pollution and the outdoors,
Black Voices in Landscaping–an interview with a landscaping business owner.
February 26, 2021 1:49 pm 17 CommentsDEP recently had the pleasure of interviewing Al M Britt, II, founder and president of Britt Landscaping, a black owned,
10 Fun Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids
February 14, 2021 9:00 am Leave your thoughtsFeeling stuck inside this winter? Here’s some fun activities to get you outside! 1. Go on a scavenger hunt. We
Interested in replacing your lawn with a meadow?
February 7, 2021 12:48 pm 3 CommentsInterested in replacing your lawn with a meadow? Our friends at the University of Maryland have advice on establishing a
World Cancer Day: Protecting Against Environmental Cancers
February 4, 2021 12:23 am Leave your thoughtsContributed by a guest blogger for DEP The American Cancer Society estimates that 45% of cancer deaths and 42% of
Healthy Home: 7 Smart Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality
January 11, 2021 10:00 am 11 CommentsWritten by Jacky Xu at Maid Sailors Maid Service, NYC When we hear the word “pollution,” the first thing that
Backyard birds
November 9, 2020 3:00 pm 1 CommentBirds are frequent, welcome visitors to backyards year-round. Birds can eat common pests like mosquitoes, mosquito larvae, and grubs. Many
Make your own 50-cent, pesticide-free Mosquito Trap!
June 5, 2020 12:20 pm 13 CommentsHold the pesticide sprays! Did you know that most of those sprays being done by mosquito companies not only can
Meet the insects that benefit your lawn and garden
May 29, 2020 2:00 pm Leave your thoughtsWhile some insects found in lawns and gardens are consider pests, many insects, and other bugs are beneficial. Three major
Get to know the reptiles and amphibians in your backyard
May 23, 2020 7:00 am Leave your thoughtsYards and lawns can be home to many different types of animals. Birds, squirrels and rabbits are familiar visitors to
Using iron-based herbicides for alternative weed control.
May 3, 2020 7:00 pm 8 CommentsAbout the author: Eric Maurer is the National Accounts Manager for Neudorff USA A webinar presented by Eric about this
Lawn Haiku–2020 winners and free coloring book!
April 22, 2020 11:16 am 1 CommentThank you to the 25 poets who entered our lawn haiku competition! Please enjoy our downloadable coloring book, featuring the
Understanding Montgomery County Soil
March 22, 2020 12:00 pm 4 CommentsGuest Blog by Cynthia Stern: Earth lovers know how pleasing it is to go green and natural by digging to
Encouraging Clover in Your Lawn
March 20, 2020 3:00 pm 14 CommentsBenefits of Clover Despite being thought of as a weed, clover is very beneficial to lawns, and eliminates the need
Can taking your shoes off reduce pesticide exposure?
January 29, 2020 10:40 am 3 CommentsDo you take your shoes off? Reduce pesticide exposure with a door mat. Lush, green lawns are often a place
Should you adjust soil pH?
March 21, 2019 9:00 am Leave your thoughtsShould you worry about your lawn’s soil pH? For years many people have been told raise the pH of their
Raised Bed Gardens for Flowers and Vegetables
February 26, 2019 1:44 pm 5 CommentsAre you exploring the idea of getting rid of your lawn, and growing perennials or vegetables? Imagine this: you can
DEP Travel Diaries: Winter Lawns in Ireland
January 25, 2019 3:07 pm Leave your thoughtsIn January, DEP’s Sustainable Landscapes Manager traveled to Ireland, and it got us thinking about lawns. Courtyards in 900 year
