Over last winter AgroLawn participated with the 2011 Fertilizer Act which was recently passed by the Maryland General Assembly. We are pleased by the best practices promoted by this legislation and the positive impact it will have on urban horticulture.

Properly maintained turf offers many key environmental benefits. Thick, healthy lawns absorb rainwater runoff and help keep soil and other pollutants from reaching stormdrains, local streams and other pathways to the Chesapeake Bay.

Sustainability in lawn care means encouraging dense turfgrass growth by applying essential nutrients at recommended rates to minimize material inputs while maximizing environmentally beneficial results. You can be part of the solution of cleaning up the bay by following these important sustainable lawn care practices:

• Use phosphorus free fertilizers.
• Monitor nutrient levels with periodic soil testing.
• Control erosion, thicken turf through aeration with seeding.
• Mow at 3" or higher with sharp blade.
• Cut no more than 1/3 of grass blade with each mowing.
• Recycle grass clippings.
• Water deeply and irregularly, morning watering is best.

A weed is a plant out of place. Beautifying and bringing harmony to our lawn and landscapes is what we do everyday. While thistles, briars, and other weeds have their purpose, we do not want them where our children play, our pets run, or the family gathers. As an environmentalist, I appreciate the positive impact lawns and grasses have. They improve our lives and our environment, provide a soft landing for our kids, invite us out, and has a myriad of other environmental benefits. These benefits range from cooling the air, producing oxygen, removing pollutants from the atmosphere, reducing dust, and minimizing soil run-off into the bay. From soccer to catch, to weddings on the grass, our lawns may be the best carpets of our lives.

AgroLawn Inc. was founded in 1995 by Steven and Pat Bailey, after Steve received his B.S. degree in Agronomy/Turf Science from Brigham Young University. Together their commitment to doing things right has allowed the company to expand and become Howard County's premier lawn care company.

AgroLawn was voted Howard County's best lawn care company 3 consecutive years by the readers of Columbia Magazine.