Instead of giving mom cut flowers for mother's day, why not give her a plant that she can plant in the ground. This excellent advice was suggested by the people at "Plant more Plants", the organization to plant plants to help the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Yes, planting perennial plants, shrubs and trees helps the soil absorb more water lessening runoff which ends up in the bay after picking up chemicals and unwanted waste products along the way. Ironically lawns DO NOT absorb as much water and filter it through the root system as other types of plants. In fact if one plants turf (a fancy name for grass) made of the typical types of grass (bluegrass, fescues and ryegrass for cool humid areas, and zoysia for warm weather. We live in an area where neither type does well), the density of the grass can slow down the absorption. Even worse are the massive amounts of fertilizer that people use on these lawns. Because lawn grasses do not grow well in this climate, we have to use much more water and fertilizer to keep them green. On top of the heavy use factor is that many people use too much fertilizer, so much so that it is not used by the grasses and is washed out into the bay instead. When it gets there it contributes to algae growth and other issues. So do both of your mother's a favor! Plant a plant! If your mother lives in an apartment (like mine does) plant something she loves in your garden that she can come and visit!
Check out "Plant more Plants" and also the Maryland General Assembly Bill SB487 "Fertilizer Use Act"
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