Mary G. Lusk

0000-0003-2954-6181

Landscaping on or near Septic Drain Fields

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

The purpose of this publication is to provide landscape management guidance for septic system drain fields. Information presented here will be useful for homeowners, landscape management professionals, and Extension agents who work in horticulture, natural resources, agriculture, and family services.

Private Wells 101: Bacterial Contamination and Shock Chlorination

Yilin Zhuang and Mary Lusk

Sources and Transformations of Nitrogen in Urban Landscapes

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

This document describes the urban N cycle for state and county regulatory personnel tasked with developing and implementing nutrient management strategies for water quality protection. Readers of this document would benefit from already having a general understanding of nutrient pollution. Although the material covered here can be fairly complex, this document is intended to provide a more in-depth understanding of the N cycle for a reader with a basic understanding but who is looking for more specific details.

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Nitrogen

Gurpal S. Toor, Mary Lusk, and Tom Obreza

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

Mary G. Lusk

Septic Systems and Springs Water Quality: An Overview for Florida

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

The proper treatment of wastewater is crucial. While septic systems can be one means of effective wastewater treatment, there are some special considerations for their use in Florida because of unique geography and sandy soils.

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.

Improving Turfgrass Health: Proper Irrigation Techniques

Anthony Halcyon, Mary G. Lusk, and Marco Schiavon

This guide is meant to inform homeowners and landscape personnel about common mistakes to avoid and the importance of using appropriate watering procedures when irrigating turfgrass to further promote the vitality of lawns. Written by Anthony Halcyon, Mary G. Lusk, and Marco Schiavon, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, September 2025.

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.

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.

Up in the Air and Down in the Water: Connections Between Air and Water Quality in Florida’s Tampa Bay

Mary G. Lusk and Tanya Charan

The Up in the Air, Down in the Water program is a combined research and education effort of the Urban Water Cycle Lab at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Hillsborough County, Florida. The purpose of this fact sheet is to explain where the nitrogen (N) in atmospheric deposition comes from, how it moves to Earth’s surface, how it can affect water quality, and how we can better manage atmospherically derived N in our watersheds. Written by Mary G. Lusk and Tanya Charan, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, October 2025.

How to Use the Web Soil Survey to Find Information about Your Land

Mary G. Lusk

The purpose of this publication is to provide step-by-step guidance on how to find soil data about a given parcel of land in the Web Soil Survey. This publication can be used by residents, growers, gardeners, construction personnel, landscape managers, septic system installers and inspectors, and many others. Written by Mary G. Lusk, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, February 2025.

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.

A Brief Summary of the Water Bill, SB 552

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

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by ==Water==