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BACKYARD CONSERVATION

Make a Clear Choice for Clean Water.
Take The Indiana Clear Choices Clean Water  Action Pledge!

Whether you have rural acreage, a suburban yard, or a city lot, you can help protect the environment and add beauty and interest to your surroundings.

Septic System
Native Garden
Pollinators
Composting

Septic Systems

A well-maintained and constructed septic system will better withstand the stresses of heavy rains or flooding. Regular inspection is necessary to ensure proper functioning. 

 

During heavy rains and floods, the ground can become saturated, preventing proper operation of the system. 

 

Signs that a septic system is not working properly include the following:

  • Sinks drain slowly

  • Toilets drain slowly

  • Floor drains overflow

  • Sewage becomes visible outside the home 

Rain Gardens

Rain gardens capture runoff from impervious areas such as roofs and driveways (and lawns) and allow it to seep slowly into the ground.  This replenishes the groundwater and helps control flooding.

 

They provide valuable natural habitats for birds,  butterflies, and many  beneficial insects.

Rain Garden Manual for Homeowners

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Marshall County Rain Gardens Map

Building rain gardens is something we can all do in our yards to help our watershed.

Blue is the New Green

A 10 minute video reviewing the Do's and Don’ts of basic stormwater pollution prevention practices that should be implemented by everyone in their home, in their yard, and when they are out and about.

 

Learn to do the right things to help protect our environment; especially focusing on ways to help keep our waterways clean.

Protect Pollinators

An expanse of green grass is a food desert to pollinators like bees and butterflies.  Be good to the environment and provide a food source to our important pollinators!  You can follow plans for a Certified Monarch Way Station or just plant native flowers. 

Here are some resources to explore for planning a pollinator garden: 

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Avoid Neonicotinoids​

They are a widely used group of insecticides that are deemed "safe" since harm to humans and other mammals is minimal but they are toxic to bees!

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Solving Your Pest Problem without Harming Pollinators

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Protecting Bees from Neonicotinoid Insecticides in Your Yard​​​

Be careful with the products you use in your garden to get rid of unwanted pests.

Native Garden Certification

Do you grow native Indiana plants in your garden?

If so, you can apply to be a Grow Indiana Natives certified garden! This is a free
program, and those who meet the criteria will receive a Grow Indiana Natives window cling and be eligible to purchase a 9×12″ metal sign for their garden. To join, you can fill out an application at www.growindiananatives.org/native-garden and submit a list of your native plants and a few garden photos.

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Why Landscape with Native Plants?

By adding even a few native plants to the landscape you can:

  • add to the resources that support wildlife

  • build landscape corridors in our communities to counter habitat fragmentation

  • help stormwater percolate safely into the soil rather than running superheated into rivers and streams

  • garden more sustainably, with less watering and fertilizing

  • create gardens that honor Indiana’s rich natural heritage

  • make gardening easier, because native plants are not finicky 

Rain Barrels

Rain Barrels collect and store

rainwater from roofs that would

otherwise be lost to runoff and

diverted to storm drains,

streams, or rivers. 

 

By purchasing a rain barrel you

are helping the environment by

keeping the rain barrels out of

landfills and conserving water. 

 

Our partner, Marshall County Solid Waste Management has rain barrels and kits available for sale at EXTREMELY low prices.

 

Rain Barrel - $15.00

 

Kit - $30.00 includes:

  • FlexiFit Diverter

  • Winter Hole Cover

  • 31" Fill Hose

  • Spigot

  • Drain & cover

  • Hole saw set

  • Water seals & screws

  • Instructions 

 

Contact MC Solid Waste at (574) 935-8618

Composting

Food scraps and yard waste currently make up 20 to 30 percent of what we throw away, and should be composted instead. Making compost keeps these materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.  Adding compost to your garden or flower beds is a great way to incorporate organic matter into the soil.  It's easy and it's good for the environment!

You can purchase commercial compost bins or make your own.

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Composting Basics

All composting requires three basic ingredients:
 

  • Browns - This includes materials such as dead leaves, branches, and twigs.

  • Greens - This includes materials such as grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds.

  • Water - Having the right amount of water, greens, and browns is important for compost development.​

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Your compost pile should have an equal amount of browns to greens. You should also alternate layers of organic materials of different-sized particles. The brown materials provide carbon for your compost, the green materials provide nitrogen, and the water provides moisture to help break down the organic matter.

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Benefits of Composting

  • Enriches soil, helping retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests.

  • Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.

  • Encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-filled material.

  • Reduces methane emissions from landfills and lowers your carbon footprint.

Rain Gardens
Rain Barrels
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