Like to lie in the hammock? That – and other variables -- will trigger how you fertilize, irrigate

Urban residents value their lawns through their own prisms, and those values lead to a range of efficiency in how they irrigate and fertilize, a new University of Florida study shows.

For instance, homeowners who believe their landscapes offer habitat benefits are most likely to use water efficiently. Those who believe their landscapes offer monetary benefits are least likely to conserve water.

This means UF/IFAS Extension professionals can connect with residents' personal values to improve water stewardship, said Laura Warner, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of agricultural education and communication and lead author of the study. The research also suggests homeowners should talk to each other more often about what they value in their landscapes. Those conversations may persuade them to use best practices in irrigation and fertilizing, Warner said.

"Behavior change is incredibly complex," Warner said. "By viewing the home landscape as a complex system composed of the values residents associate with this space, and the way they care for it, we can encourage proper irrigation and fertilizer practices."

Warner and her colleagues found their results through a national online survey of 540 homeowners. Researchers asked respondents questions about:

• Aesthetics: Is the lawn enjoyable to look at?
• Environment: Does the lawn decrease erosion? Does it absorb pollutants?
• Food: Is the lawn a source of food?
• Habitat: Does the lawn attract desirable wildlife?
• Health and comfort: Does the lawn reduce noise, or increase privacy?
• Monetary: Does the lawn increase the property value or the home's resale value?
• Social: Does my lawn show my neighbors that I care?
• Well-being: Is my lawn a place to relax?

Researchers also asked respondents to answer questions about how they irrigate and or fertilize. For instance, do they irrigate only when needed? Do they ensure any fertilizer spills are cleaned up?

Results showed those who believe their landscape offers environmental benefits are most likely to engage in good fertilization behaviors, while those who believe their landscape provides monetary benefits are least likely to engage in good fertilization behaviors.