1. Planting shrubs, vines and groundcover around your foundation can make your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Is the area around your home landscaped?
a) The only green around our house is patchy grass.
b) Our foundation is completely hidden.
2. Having just three trees shade your home can save $100-$250 in energy costs each year. How much of your house is shaded by trees?
a) We live in darkness 24/7.
b) A quarter to half is shaded.
c) My house bakes in the sun all day, every day.
3. Tuning your mower's engine takes 30 minutes or less and cuts emissions by up to 50 percent, and fuel consumption up to 30 percent. Do you regularly maintain your equipment?
a) Like clockwork.
b) On occasion.
c) I'd rather just buy new equipment every few years.
4. Thick, dense turf on playing fields is proven to be the safest, least expensive and most resilient surface for outdoor recreation. Would you describe your neighborhood playing fields as being dense?
a) We don't use area playing fields.
b) Our turf is always thick and green.
c) We have more dirt patches than grass.
5. Mature landscaping (lawn, shrubs and trees) can add up to 20 percent to the value of your home. How established is your landscape?
a) Trees: tower over my house; Lawn: lush; Shrubs/plants: thick
b) Trees: shorter than my house; Lawn: vibrant green…patches; Shrubs/plants: itty-bitty
c) Trees: more like seedlings; Lawn: mostly dirt; Shrubs/plants: non-existent
6. Lawns are 30 degrees cooler than asphalt and 14 degrees cooler than bare soil in the heat of summer. How much of your property is covered by grass?
a) Every inch is green.
b) About half.
c) What grass?
7. A dense cover of plants and mulch holds soil in place and prevents washouts. Do you see washed out areas on your property after a storm?
a) They're like tiny mudslides all over my landscape.
b) Nope, I'm a firm believer in mulch.
8. A windbreak reduces wind speed and prevents cold winter winds from penetrating your house, ultimately reducing the amount of fuel needed to heat your home. Do you have a windbreak planted on the north and northwest sides of your house?
a) We have little to no protection.
b) Our home is surrounded by several large trees.
9. Designing your landscape around your pets can reduce wear and tear, optimizing the benefits of your green space. Do you see areas of wear on your lawn or landscape?
a) Our pet is always top of mind - no wear here.
b) Does a dirt path from our back door to the backyard fence count?
c) No pets.
10. Flowerbeds and gardens can play an important role in reducing hotspots in heavily concreted, urban areas. Does your neighborhood have gardens or flowerbeds in otherwise non-green areas?
a) We've made a conscious effort to create green spaces in our urban community.
b) Our block is like a big heater in the summer and a freezer in the winter.
11. Leaving grass clippings on your yard after you mow puts valuable nutrients into the soil to feed the grass, reducing the need for nitrogen by 25-50 percent. Do you leave clippings?
a) Yes... I threw out my bagger.
b) I consider lugging grass clippings my weekly workout.
12. Cutting your grass extremely short every time you mow can use more water and seem unhealthy. When you mow, do you trim the grass a little or cut it significantly?
a) We just shave a little off the top.
b) It resembles a manicured green at a golf course.
13. Earthworms are a sign of a healthy soil system. Do you ever find earthworms in your yard?
a) What's an earthworm?
b) Sometimes when my kids are digging around.
14. Watering your lawn between 5 and 10 a.m. reduces evaporation and maximizes absorption. What time of day do you water?
a) While I eat supper.
b) Before the crack of dawn.
c) Whenever I get around to it.
15. A single tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, which equals 11,000 miles of car emissions. How many trees are on your property?
a) 0-2
b) 3-6
c) We live in a forest.
16. Turf grasses trap about 12 million tons of dust and dirt from the atmosphere each year. What is the ratio of green space to pavement or dirt on your property?
a) 30/70: My thumb is anything but green.
b) About 60/40: It's a little patchy.
c) 80/20: We have more lawn than house.
17. Green spaces are proven to foster a sense of community and lower crime. Does your neighborhood have a green space or home to hang out on a regular basis?
a) We rarely see our neighbors and have never spent time with them.
b) We take turns hosting block parties.
18. Trees, shrubs and turf remove smoke, dust and other pollutants from the air. Does your neighborhood seem dusty on windy days?
a) What's dust?
b) Only when it's gusting.
c) I can go weeks without seeing my neighbor's house.
19. Plants lower blood pressure, reduce muscle tension related to stress, improve attention and reduce feelings of fear and anger or aggression. Is your yard a tranquil place?
a) It wouldn't be surprising if you saw someone meditating.
b) I wouldn't know since we're never out there.
20. Studies show that communities with green medians and storefronts can lower road rage. Has your community created green spaces in otherwise heavily concreted areas?
a) Our business district is more like an arboretum.
b) We live in a concrete jungle.
c) There might be a tree or two on every block.
21. A 50' by 50' grassy area absorbs enough carbon dioxide, ozone and other pollutants while releasing enough oxygen for a family of four to breath. Do you have at least this much grass on your property or around your neighborhood?
a) Our lawn is huge and there's a park close by.
b) We have to walk at least two blocks to touch grass.
c) No lawn but there's a little community green space.
22. Water features like ponds and fountains attract birds, butterflies and other forms of wildlife. Do you have any water features on your property?
a) We have a birdbath, which seems to bring in some birds.
b) We're nature-free.
c) Our backyard sometimes reminds me of a wildlife refuge
23. Tall hedges, shrubs and trees block out noisy streets and glaring headlights. How protected is your backyard?
a) We see and hear all the neighborhood drama.
b) There's a little extra glow at night.
c) It's like a quiet country haven.
24. Children are more attentive, less stressed and feel better overall when they have access to green spaces. If you have kids, how often/where are they exposed to green spaces?
a) I pretty much lock my kids outside when they're home.
b) We head to the park whenever we get the chance.
c) Isn't that what recess is for?