You may be fertilizing more than your grass. The storm drain in your street is a direct link to the Wabash River and its tributaries, and the choices you make when caring for your lawn can directly affect its water quality. Whatever washes off your yard and street and into your storm drain are carried into our local lakes and rivers.
Keep Your Runoff Clean!
Everyone wants a beautiful green lawn and the good news is you can still have one while caring for the environment.
First of all…nitrogen, not phosphorus, greens up grass. Many fertilizers on the market contain phosphorus, and although phosphorus is important for grass growth, most lawns have adequate amounts and do not need further phosphorus fertilization. In response to this, many manufacturers now offer phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer.
Second, phosphorus can turn lakes and rivers green. Phosphorus stimulates the growth of algae in lakes and rivers. This crowds out other water plants and reduces oxygen available to fish. The result is unattractive, foul-smelling water that is bad for fish, wildlife, and humans.
Finally, we need to manage phosphorus carefully. So, here are some ways you can reduce phosphorus runoff from entering into our storm drains!
If you utilize a lawn care service or plan to fertilize your own lawn, be sure soils tests are performed before using a phosphorus lawn fertilizer.
If your lawn has adequate soil phosphorus, choose a zero-phosphorus fertilizer. Phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer still contains nitrogen which is the plant nutrient that greens up grass.
Remember that compost and manure contain phosphorus too.
And don’t forget to sweep spilled fertilizer off of paved surfaces.
For more information on how you can help the environment, please feel free to contact the SWCD at 765-474-9992 or visit our website at www.tippecanoecountyswcd.org.
