"T" is for Teach Yourself

"T" Teach Yourself - "A" Alternatives Available? - "K" Know How To Store - "E" Explore Disposal Options

Teach yourself to find the correct quantity needed for your project (i.e., measure your lawn’s square footage and purchase only what is needed for fertilizer or seed).
Paint and Stain

How much paint do I need?
This website provides several online calculators, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to measure walls, and around doors and windows.

How much stain do I need for my deck?
This easy-to-use online calculator prompts you to input various measurements (including steps and railings) to determine how much stain you'll need to protect or restore your outdoor deck.
Fertilizer

How much fertilizer do I need?
Test your lawn and/or garden soil. Determining nutrient needs and pH can help you accurately match the fertilizer to the plant's or lawn's needs. The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District offers soil testing kits for just $5.00 each for Hamilton County residents and $12 each for non-residents.

The University of Maryland has a helpful guide to measure your lawn and determine how much fertilizer you need.

Once you have determined a fertilizer is necessary through a soil test, you can make very intentional choices for a healthy soil and environment. This might be a fertilizer specifically designed to provide nutrients to your soil over time (slow-release) or one that is formulated without an element such as phosphorus. For more information click here. 
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Lawn and Garden Care
Smart Gardening is a program created by Michigan State University to help novice and experienced gardeners adopt and implement real-life techniques in their yards and gardens to save time, money and the environment.

Yard debris, including leaves and other organic plant material like shrubbery trimmings and grass clippings, are a significant source of stormwater pollution. This debris can also clog culverts, storm drains, and pipes, causing flooding. It's easy to do your part to protect our streams and the drainage systems leading to our waterways.