Designing for Rain Barrel Success
Rain barrels are a form of small-scale rainwater harvesting for collecting and storing rainwater that runs off roof surfaces. The stored water is useful for irrigation in landscaped beds and...
Category: Water
Do It Yourself: Visual Indicators, Stick Test, and Jar Test for Cyanobacteria
If your pond experiences a suspected cyanobacteria bloom (figure 1), limiting contact with the water is safest until it is confirmed as safe. The most accurate way to determine if a bloom is...
Chemical Control of Aquatic Weeds
Aquatic weeds in ponds or lakes can be controlled by physical removal, biological control, or herbicides. The method or combination of methods used will depend on factors such as target weeds,...
Water Conservation at Home
Earlier this summer, the lack of rain, sweltering summer sun, and our thirsty gardens were a reminder to all of us that water is a vital part of our day-to-day life. Hot, dry conditions can stress...
Herbicides in the Heat
So, I am just enjoying my time in my yard, throwing a ball for my dogs, Penny and Ruby, who may or may not bring it back when I spot a small clump of weedy plants in my lawn. Instead of heading...
Be Septic Safe: Unique Situations
Many homeowners rely on septic systems to treat their household wastewater. Unfortunately, these systems are often not thought of until issues arise and treatment or maintenance is required. To help...
Be Septic Safe: Septic Failures
All septic systems have a life span. Knowing signs of failure can save you money and prevent harmful pollutants that negatively impact the environment. When a septic system fails, it allows...
Be Septic Safe: Best Practices for Septic System Maintenance
A residential septic system uses natural and technological processes to treat household wastewater from toilets, showers, sinks, and other water-using appliances. When a septic system fails, it can...
Be Septic Safe: Considerations for New Septic System Users, Locating the System, & Basic Maintenance
Septic systems, also referred to as onsite wastewater treatment systems, cluster systems, or private sewage systems, are designed to collect, treat, and discharge wastewater from residential,...
Blue Carbon
If your summer vacation plans include a trip to the beach, you’ll have the chance to see our coastal blue carbon resources up close and personal. What is blue carbon, you may wonder? It’s the carbon...
Salt Tolerant Plants for the South Carolina Coast
Salt exposure is just one of the many environmental factors that makes coastal landscaping challenging. Selecting plants that are tolerant to salt exposure will increase the rate of success....
Benefits of Riparian Buffers Along Waterways
Approximately 6% of South Carolina is covered by water, with 30,000 miles of rivers and streams carving through the state’s rolling hillside, pastoral farmland, historic cities, and saltmarsh-laced...