New: Plant More Plants Program - Garden Center and Landscaper Support Needed

Garden Centers and Landscapers in the Hampton Roads, Richmond, Metro DC, and Baltimore markets are encouraged to support a new program called "Plant More Plants", being promoted this spring by a coalition of industry organizations to promote homeowners to plant more trees, shrubs and perennials. 

Plant More Plants, a personal stewardship campaign by the Chesapeake Bay Program, aims to encourage residential homeowners to take on behaviors that improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay by reducing the harmful effects of storm water runoff – the fastest growing source of pollution – from urban and suburban land. Homeowners in the Hampton Roads and Richmond areas of Virginia, Washington D.C. metropolitan area and Baltimore are encouraged to adopt conservation gardening and lawn care practices that ultimately mitigate harmful pollutants and improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

The message to homeowners is simple and encourages a behavior they are already predisposed to do – Grow some good. Plant more plants. Not only do plants make yards more beautiful, but because they also filter storm water runoff, the Chesapeake Bay becomes healthier and more beautiful too.
Plant More Plants encourages consumers to plant native plants to help conserve the Bay’s natural resources. Plants native to the Bay area are adapted to the region’s soil, climate and pests, therefore requiring less water, fertilizer, pesticides and overall maintenance. Native plants are also the best source of food and shelter for wildlife.

Natural landscapes reduce the quantity and improve the quality of storm water runoff. Native plants absorb storm water and act as filters that reduce the harmful effects of fertilizers, pesticides, pet waste and spilled fuels from power equipment. Plant roots grip soil and reduce erosion from storm water runoff. Native species planted on slopes along water bodies and drainage ditches help to prevent erosion and pollution by stabilizing the soil and slowing the flow of rainwater runoff.

Garden Centers and Landscapers are needed to refer homeowners when they are ready to take action on this initiative.  To learn about conservation landscaping and how to help improve the Chesapeake Bay starting in your own backyard, visit www.PlantMorePlants.com.

To become a supporting garden center or landscaper, contact  -  Gary Waugh, Plant More Plants Program Coordinator and Public Relations Manager, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.