FERTILIZER
What does fertilizer do to our freshwater systems?
Lawn fertilizers are made up of nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus and ammonia. After spraying, whatever the plant and soil cannot absorb will runoff with stormwater during the next rainfall. These nutrients will enter water bodies and feed weeds and algae. Once algae blooms, it dies and depletes oxygen from aquatic ecosystems, creating dead zones where fish and other species cannot survive.
What can you do?
Save $ and test soil first to determine if and what nutrients are needed. You can download soil testing instructions and an information sheet below.
Don’t let it drop on the driveway or sidewalk. If it does, sweep up the extra and place it back in the bag. Otherwise, the next rain shower will carry it into our rivers, streams and lakes.
Fall is the best time to fertilize! It provides extra nutrients and develops root growth.
Use lawn clippings instead! Made of Phosphorus and Nitrogen, grass clippings are a free alternative that also prevents them from becoming stormwater pollution. Mow lawn at a high blade setting so the longer blades will capture clippings and the shorter clippings will hold moisture, protecting your grass from losing moisture and drying in the sun.