Category: Uncategorized

April 21, 2026: Orchard Street is closed between Hazelwood and our office due to a sanitary main break. Please enter Orchard Street from Montgomery Street to visit the district office.

Governor Mikie Sherrill declared that New Jersey will enter a State of Emergency effective at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026 in anticipation of a severe winter storm expected to cause hazardous weather conditions across the state.

All State offices will be closed Monday, February 23, 2026, due to inclement weather conditions.

The February 23 public meeting is cancelled. If it is rescheduled, it will be announced on this website’s legal notice page. 

NJ State offices are operating on a 2-hour delay Tuesday 1/27/26. This office will open at 10am. 

Due to the winter storm and the resulting State of Emergency declared by Governor Sherrill, the HEPSCD office will be closed Monday January 26th. The 7pm public meeting is cancelled.

As of 3/1/2026, public notices by the Hudson Essex Passaic Soil Conservation District will appear on our Legal Notice page. Agendas, minutes and other district business will continue to be published on our Agenda and Minutes page.

The 2026 conservation poster contest theme is “Soil. Where It All Begins”. Please visit our Conservation Education Page for the entry form. Deadline to submit to the district office for judging is March 13, 2026. 

New Jersey is in the fall growing season (mid Sept through October). Cooler days and nights are ideal for establishing new lawns from seed or sod, and for planting trees and shrubs. Water all new plantings adequately. 

The following information is quoted directly from Rutgers Fact Sheet FS 584: Seeding Your Lawn

Rapid Lawn Establishment: At certain times, such as in new home construction where dust or muddy conditions cause concern or on sloping terrain where soil erosion is a serious problem, a rapid cover of turfgrass is most critical. A first choice may be sodding the critical areas (see Rutgers Cooperative Extension fact sheet FS104, “Steps to an Instant Lawn”). Another choice can be the use of seed mixtures containing primarily perennial ryegrass or tall fescue. These varieties in combination with the use of straw mulch (see next point) and timely rainfall or irrigation can provide an “established” lawn in 4 weeks if growing conditions are favorable.

Straw Mulching and Irrigation: It is desirable to keep newly seeded lawns moist in the top 2 inches through irrigation or rainfall. If the top layer of soil dries out prior to good root establishment, poor stands of turfgrass may result. Some temporary surface drying is acceptable but should be kept to a minimum until germination is complete. Once seedlings have an established root system, watering can be less frequent and deeper (3 to 5 inches). Irrigation should not be overdone (do not create constant “muddy” conditions). Observe the drier areas of the lawn (sunny, high areas) for early signs of wilting. Irrigate, if feasible, to increase chances of successful establishment.

Straw mulch such as unrotted, weed seed free wheat, oat, rye, or salt hay can be applied at 50 to 90 lbs., (1 to 2 bales) per 1000 square feet. This offers a significant advantage for turfgrass establishment. Light mulching, where approximately 25% of the soil is visible through mulch, is all that is needed in most situations.

Mulching increases soil moisture retention. Morning dew is retained longer on the soil surface. Benefits include reduced watering needs and quicker seed germination.

In sloping areas and waterways where erosion is a consideration, heavier mulching is needed. To avoid smothering seedlings, partially remove mulch after germination occurs and 2–3 inch roots develop. In steep areas, erosion control matting with nylon netting or jute can also be applied over seeded areas and left in place after germination. These materials disintegrate over time and control soil erosion.

The HEPSCD has been advised by Comcast that, due to line  work in our area, there may be service interruptions  on 7/16/25 which will affect our phone and email communication. We apologize for any inconvenience you experience in trying to reach the office. 

View the NJ Conservation Partnership Congressional Report here

Early spring is the time to stabilize sites which expect to be complete and occupied by this summer, prior to the fall growing season (mid Sept through October). 

The following information is quoted directly from Rutgers Fact Sheet FS 584: Seeding Your Lawn

Rapid Lawn Establishment: At certain times, such as in new home construction where dust or muddy conditions cause concern or on sloping terrain where soil erosion is a serious problem, a rapid cover of turfgrass is most critical. A first choice may be sodding the critical areas (see Rutgers Cooperative Extension fact sheet FS104, “Steps to an Instant Lawn”). Another choice can be the use of seed mixtures containing primarily perennial ryegrass or tall fescue. These varieties in combination with the use of straw mulch (see next point) and timely rainfall or irrigation can provide an “established” lawn in 4 weeks if growing conditions are favorable.

Straw Mulching and Irrigation: It is desirable to keep newly seeded lawns moist in the top 2 inches through irrigation or rainfall. If the top layer of soil dries out prior to good root establishment, poor stands of turfgrass may result. Some temporary surface drying is acceptable but should be kept to a minimum until germination is complete. Once seedlings have an established root system, watering can be less frequent and deeper (3 to 5 inches). Irrigation should not be overdone (do not create constant “muddy” conditions). Observe the drier areas of the lawn (sunny, high areas) for early signs of wilting. Irrigate, if feasible, to increase chances of successful establishment.

Straw mulch such as unrotted, weed seed free wheat, oat, rye, or salt hay can be applied at 50 to 90 lbs., (1 to 2 bales) per 1000 square feet. This offers a significant advantage for turfgrass establishment. Light mulching, where approximately 25% of the soil is visible through mulch, is all that is needed in most situations.

Mulching increases soil moisture retention. Morning dew is retained longer on the soil surface. Benefits include reduced watering needs and quicker seed germination.

In sloping areas and waterways where erosion is a consideration, heavier mulching is needed. To avoid smothering seedlings, partially remove mulch after germination occurs and 2–3 inch roots develop. In steep areas, erosion control matting with nylon netting or jute can also be applied over seeded areas and left in place after germination. These materials disintegrate over time and control soil erosion.