Spring is here and with it often comes the task of greening up our lawns. Applying the wrong kind or too much fertilizer can result in a green sheen appearing around the edges of Beaver Lake, or even a full blown algal bloom. Improper and excessive fertilization is a major source of phosphorous and nitrogen run off into our lake. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus runoff can cause algal blooms that reduce water clarity and decrease dissolved oxygen levels when the algae decomposes. Decreased levels of oxygen can stress and kill aquatic life. Algal blooms tend to coincide with the most common times of lawn fertilization in spring and early fall. So what can you do to make sure your lawn care does not harm our lake? Follow these basic guidelines to green up your lawn, not our lake, and consider replacing some of your lawn with native plants and flowers.
Fertilize
- Only with phosphorus-free fertilizers.
- Apply fertilizer once per year
- Sweep up fertilizer from sidewalks and driveways. Don’t fertilize before heavy rain.
Look for the middle number
- On fertilizer bags to see the N-P-K nutrient analysis. The middle number is the phosphate (phosphorus) content. A “zero” in the middle means it is phosphorus-free. Lawns rarely need extra potassium (K), but adding some does not affect water quality.
Take a soil test
- If you are seeding a new lawn, or want to learn more about your lawn’s nutrient content, pH level and organic content.
Water
- If desired, in early morning, when there is less than 1 inch/week of rain. Grass will survive droughts without watering by going dormant.
Plant grass seed
- On existing lawns in the fall and spring to out compete weeds.
- Use a grass mixture that does well in the setting (soil, light, activity).
- Leave legumes, such as common white clover, among the grass to add nitrogen, which will naturally fertilize your lawn.
Aerate
- By removing small cores of soil from your lawn to prevent compaction. This will increase water, nutrient and oxygen movement into the soil; improve grass rooting; and prevent fertilizer and pesticide run-off.
Weeds
- Will be discouraged by following these healthy lawn tips! Just pull any that are left by hand.
