Lusk, Mary G.

0000-0003-2954-6181

Landscaping on or near Septic Drain Fields

Whitney C. Elmore, William Lester, James Moll, Andrea Albertin, and Mary Lusk

A Brief Summary of the Water Bill, SB 552

Lisa Krimsky, Andrea Albertin, Charles Barrett, James Fletcher, and Mary Lusk

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Phosphorus

Mary Lusk, Gurpal S. Toor, and Tom Obreza

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Bacteria and Protozoa

Mary Lusk, Gurpal S. Toor, and Tom Obreza

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Viruses

Mary Lusk, Gurpal S. Toor, and Thomas Obreza

Private Wells 101: Bacterial Contamination and Shock Chlorination

Yilin Zhuang and Mary Lusk

Reclaimed Water Use in the Landscape: Frequently Asked Questions about Reclaimed Water

Gurpal S. Toor and Mary Lusk

Sources and Transformations of Nitrogen in Urban Landscapes

Alexander J. Reisinger, Mary G. Lusk, and Ashley R. Smyth

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Nitrogen

Gurpal S. Toor, Mary Lusk, and Tom Obreza

Reclaimed Water Use in the Landscape: Constituents of Concern in Reclaimed Water

Gurpal S. Toor and Mary Lusk

This fact sheet is one of a series titled Reclaimed Water Use in the Landscape addressing various issues related to use and management of reclaimed water in urban landscapes.

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: An Overview

Gurpal S. Toor, Mary Lusk, and Tom Obreza

Wastewater and Septic System Management for the COVID-19 Virus: Frequently Asked Questions

Mary G. Lusk

Reclaimed water use in the landscape: What's in reclaimed water and where does it go?

Gurpal S. Toor and Mary Lusk

Reclaimed Water Use in the Landscape: Understanding Landscape Irrigation Water Quality Tests

Gurpal S. Toor and Mary Lusk

Reclaimed Water Use in the Landscape: Managing Salinity, Sodicity, and Specific Ions in Sites Irrigated with Reclaimed Water

Gurpal S. Toor and Mary Lusk

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Trace Organic Chemicals

Gurpal S. Toor, Mary Lusk, and Tom Obreza

Septic Systems and Springs Water Quality: An Overview for Florida

Mary Lusk, Andrea Albertin, Whitney Elmore, William Lester, and James Moll

The Importance of Soil Health for Residential Landscapes

Sally Scalera, Alexander J. Reisinger, and Mary Lusk

Composting Horse Manure on Small Farms: Managing Your Compost

Erika Sakers, Mary G. Lusk, Carissa Wickens, and Caitlin Bainum

This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences is the second in a two-part series on composting horse manure on small farms. The purpose of this article is to share some how-to tips on building and managing manure compost bins. This article is intended for noncommercial horse owners. Written by Erika Sakers, Mary G. Lusk, Carissa Wickens, and Caitlin Bainum.

Soils and Fertilizers for Master Gardeners: Soil Physical Characteristics

Amy L. Shober, Alexander J. Reisinger, Mary G. Lusk, and Sally Ann Scalera

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Agriculture Water

How to Manage Yard Wastes to Protect Surface Water Resources

Mary G. Lusk

Several of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping(TM) (FFL) principles provide guidance on how to reduce the amount of nutrients applied to and mobilized from urban landscapes to water resources. Principle # 7: Recycle Yard Waste and Principle # 9: Protect the Waterfront are two examples from this program that can be important steps towards protecting Florida’s water. The purpose of this publication is to provide guidance on specific actions that you can take to help reduce nutrient inputs to our water, with a focus on the FFL Principles  # 7 and # 9. This publication is intended primarily for urban residents who manage their own landscapes and may also be used by landscaping professionals, homeowner’s associations, and municipal decision makers.

What to Do When Septic Systems Are Impacted by Flooding from Storms or Groundwater Rise

Mary G. Lusk

The purpose of this publication is to explain how septic systems may be affected by floods from hurricanes and other storms and/or by climate change (sea-level rise) that raises the level of the groundwater under septic system soils. Written by Mary G. Lusk, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, November 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions about Stormwater Wet Ponds

Ange Asanzi, Miranda Carver Martin, Michelle Atkinson, Chamoda P. D. Dissanayake Mudiyanselage, Basil V. Iannone III, Eban Bean, Alexander J. Reisinger, Mary Lusk, Dail Laughinghouse, and Paul Monaghan

This publication addresses some of the most frequent questions that residents ask regarding the function and maintenance of their stormwater ponds. Written by Ange Asanzi, Miranda Carver Martin, Michelle Atkinson, Chamoda P. D. Dissanayake Mudiyanselage, Basil V. Iannone III, Eban Bean, Alexander J. Reisinger, Mary Lusk, Dail Laughinghouse, and Paul Monaghan, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, August 2024.

Best Management Practices for Irrigating Lawns and Urban Green Spaces with Reclaimed Water

Mary G. Lusk and Don Rainey

The purpose of this article is to present some sound recommendations, known as best management practices (BMPs), for irrigating lawns and other green spaces with reclaimed water (RW). These BMPs are for homeowners and landscaping professionals who use RW to irrigate home lawns or other irrigated green spaces in urban landscapes. Written by Mary G. Lusk and Don Rainey and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences; 4 pages.

How to Check and Maintain Your Septic System Before and Immediately After Hurricanes

Mary G. Lusk

The purpose of this guide is to provide tips for how to check, maintain, and use your septic system in the days leading up to a hurricane and immediately after any associated flooding. This guide is intended for residents who have a residential septic system connected to their home. Written by Mary G. Lusk, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, October 2024.

Common Pollutants in Stormwater Runoff and Actions that Homeowners can Take to Reduce Stormwater Pollution

Anthony Halcyon, Mary G. Lusk, and Ann C. Wilkie

This publication explains what happens when stormwater runoff enters constructed environments, its impacts on water bodies, and how individuals can take steps to lower their own stormwater runoff footprint. This guide can increase awareness of ways to reduce each person's role in water quality impairment by stormwater pollution. This publication is intended primarily for urban residential readers and does not focus on agricultural runoff. 

Urban Fertilizer Ordinances in the Context of Environmental Horticulture and Water Quality Extension Programs: Frequently Asked Questions

Michael D. Dukes, Lisa Krimsky, Mary Lusk, Laurie Trenholm, Bryan Unruh, Michelle Atkinson, Rao Mylavarapu, and Bernard Cardenas

The purpose of this document is to provide background information to all stakeholders—including scientists, legislators, local governments, landscape managers, Extension agents, Master Gardener Volunteers, homeowners, and the general public—on the underlying issues of fertilizer use, with an emphasis on an urban setting, and to outline the current state of the science on urban fertilizers and water quality in Florida. This information is presented in response to 12 frequently asked questions (FAQs) that also include discussion of several technological and regulatory solutions that have been adopted around the state. Written by Michael D. Dukes, Lisa Krimsky, Mary Lusk, Laurie Trenholm, Bryan Unruh, Michelle Atkinson, Rao Mylavarapu, and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

Pozos privados 101: contaminación bacteriana y la cloración de choque

Yilin Zhuang y Mary Lusk. Traducido por Andrea Albertin.

Este documento está dirigido a los residentes de Florida que dependen de pozos privados para su suministro de agua potable. El propósito educar a los propietarios de pozos sobre los riesgos de contaminación bacteriana, particularmente después de eventos de inundación, y proporcionar una guía detallada para realizar una cloración de choque efectiva. La cloración de choque es un método crucial para desinfectar pozos contaminados y asegurar la potabilidad del agua. Además, se ofrecen recomendaciones sobre el uso correcto de cloro, la importancia de pruebas de laboratorio post-desinfección, y consideraciones sobre la posible necesidad de sistemas de desinfección continuos en casos de contaminación persistente. 

Manure Composting for Small Horse Farms

Erika Sakers, Mary G. Lusk, Carissa Wickens, and Caitlin Bainum

The purpose of this new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences is to present the benefits of composting horse manure on small farms and to provide guidance on how to implement manure composting. This article, the first in a two-part series, is intended for recreational horse enthusiasts managing equine on small (<20 acre) farms. Written by Erika Sakers, Mary G. Lusk, Carissa Wickens, and Caitlin Bainum.

Soils and Fertilizers for Master Gardeners: Phosphorus in the Home Landscape

Amy L. Shober

Rules and Scorecard Grading Policies for the Annual Florida 4-H/FFA Land Judging Contest

Amy L. Shober, L. Rex Ellis, Christine Wiese, Edward A. Hanlon, Randy B. Brown, and J. H. Herbert, Jr.

Engaging Youth in the Environment through the Florida Land Judging Program

Amy L. Shober, L. Rex Ellis, Edward A. Hanlon, and Christine Wiese