Just BLUE® It!
Property Owner Resources
Becoming BLUE® is easier than you might think. The practices of BLUE® are simple, but the rewards are immense!
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General Practices
Chittenden County, VT Stormwater
Water Runoff Control Methods
Rain Gardens
Vermont Rain Garden Manual, Plant List & Other Info
Rain Barrels
Dripline Trenches
Dripline Trench Guide (Dimensions and Materials)
Dry Wells
Vermont Manual (PDF, page 91)
Septic Systems
EPA Homeowner's Guide (PDF)
Lakeshore Septic System Basics (PDF)
Self-evaluate Your Current Septic System (PDF)
Pharmaceuticals, Personal Care Products, and Toxic Substances
BLUE® Brochure (PDF)
Make Your Own Non-Toxic All-Purpose Cleaner! (video)
Lawn Grass
Height, Mulching, and Composting Clippings
Organic Lawn Care Methods (Videos)
Soil Test for Minimal Fertilizer Applications
Limited number: Free soil test! (through UVM)
Alternatives to Pesticides (including Herbicides & Fungicides)
BLUE® Brochure (PDF)
Insects/Pests & Diseases
Integrated Pest Management: Diseases, Insects, and Weeds
Resource Guide for Organic Insect and Disease Management
Lawn Grubs (ignore the chemical treatments; see "non-chemical controls")
Weeds
Fruit Trees
A Grower's Guide to Organic Apples (PDF)
Low-flow Fixtures & Water Efficiency
Energy Star
Environmentally Friendly Driveway Sealers (No Coal-tar or petroleum)
Take a look at the following links to explore what other experts say about the same practices that the BLUE® program is comprised of:
General Stormwater Runoff Information (EPA)
A Shoreland Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater Management (NH DEC)
A Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater Managment (Office of Watersheds, City of Philadelphia)
Stormwater Best Management Practices for Homeowners (WERF)
Practices for Residential Homeowners (WERF)
Stormwater Problems and Solutions (Chittenden County, VT)
Stormwater: Reducing Polluted Runoff (Lake Champlain Basin Program)
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