Characterization of Suburban Nitrogen Fertilizer and Water Use on Residential Turf in Cary, North Carolina

A door-to-door survey was conducted in Cary, N.C., to determine suburban fertilizer and water use characteristics. The random survey of 300 households represented 1% of Cary households. Results from the survey demonstrated that few individuals used fertilizer on their driveways and sidewalks to melt ice and snow. Almost 90% of all residents applied fertilizer or used lawn care companies. Most residents or lawn care companies failed to sweep impervious surfaces after fertilizing. Most homeowners applied nitrogen fertilizer at a rate within North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service recommendations. Water use for landscaping related directly to summer drought conditions. Households with installed sprinkler systems used about twice as much water on their lawns as did residences with moveable sprinkler systems.