Lawn fertilizer, especially when applied incorrectly, fertilizes a lot
more than just your lawn. Excess nutrients are carried by runoff into
streams and lakes. The same nutrients that help grass grow also help
algae and pond weeds grow, leading to algal blooms and excessive aquatic
plants that are not only unpleasant to look at and to swim in, but also
affect food quality and habitat for fish and other organisms. They also
can lead to very slippery rocks.
Does this mean environmentally aware citizens are doomed to have
unattractive lawns? No. By following a few simple recommendations, you
can make sure that you're not contributing excess nutrients to your
streams and lakes.
Shoreland homeowners and businesses should also consider the water
quality and wildlife benefits of a more natural setting for stream and
lakefront property.
Responsible Fertilizing Practices
1. Start with a soil test. Make sure your lawn needs fertilizer, and
find out how much you should be applying. The Soil Testing Laboratory of
the University of Minnesota website provides information on how to
collect a soil sample.
2. Choose the correct product. If you had a soil test, be careful to
read the labels and buy the correct fertilizer. If not, consider using
phosphate-free fertilizer (and therefore phosphorus-free). WHY?
Lakes and streams may be phosphorus limited. When excess phosphorus
from lawn fertilizer and other sources enters streams and lakes, algae
and other plants have all they need.
Some cities, like Minneapolis MN, have enacted ordinances limiting the
use of phosphorus fertilizer in efforts to protect water quality.
3. Apply the product correctly. The following tips are taken from "Mugaas,
R.J., 1995. Responsible Fertilizer Practices for Lawns University of
Minnesota Extension, Publication #FO-06551-GO.
Fill granular fertilizer spreaders on a hard surface where any spills
can be easily cleaned up. NEVER wash off fertilizer spills into the
street or other hard-surface areas where they can easily enter storm
sewers and ultimately surface water areas. Wash off granular fertilizer
spreaders over turfed areas to prevent runoff of fertilizer from hard
surfaces. Fill and clean liquid fertilizer applicators over turfed areas
for similar reasons.
Close the gate on the fertilizer spreader when crossing hard-surface
areas or go back and sweep up the material. Reuse it another time or put
it back into the spreader.
Try to use a drop spreader, which is slower but more precise than a
rotary type spreader near surface water. Next to shoreline areas, apply
fertilizer around the perimeter of the property with a drop spreader to
create a safety zone. The rest of the area farther away from the
shoreline can be fertilized with a rotary spreader. Since the perimeter
has already been done with the drop spreader, it is not necessary to hug
the shore because fertilizer may get into the water. The same kinds of
precautions should be taken when using liquid fertilizer.
Avoid getting fertilizer into natural drainage areas or pathways on a
property. These areas may not necessarily be hard-surface areas, but
they can carry fertilizer directly into the surface water before having
the chance to infiltrate into the surrounding turf/soil area.
Leave grass clippings on the lawn area to decompose and recycle
nutrients back to the turf area. They should not be blown or raked into
street gutters or onto sidewalks and driveways where they may be carried
with runoff water to surface water. Nutrients released in water through
decomposition may cause undesirable algae and vegetative growth.
NEVER apply nitrogen fertilizers to water resources directly or to
frozen ground. |
