Fall is the best time of year to fertilize your lawn and control weeds — and it’s not just good for your grass. A healthy lawn benefits our local environment too. Thick, well-maintained grass helps prevent soil erosion and naturally absorbs rainwater. By soaking up rainfall, lawns reduce stormwater runoff — a major source of pollutants entering our lakes and streams.
Be careful when fertilizing though — you could be feeding more than just your lawn.
The storm drains on your street connect directly to local lakes and rivers. When fertilizers containing phosphorus wash off lawns and into these drains, they contribute to water pollution. Phosphorus promotes excessive algae growth in lakes and rivers, which chokes out native aquatic plants and reduces oxygen levels in the water — harming fish and other wildlife. The result? Murky, foul-smelling water that’s unhealthy for ecosystems and unappealing for people. The good news: Phosphorus-free fertilizers are widely available and still contain nitrogen — the key nutrient that keeps your grass green and healthy.
A little lawn care this fall goes a long way — for your yard and for the lakes and rivers we all share.
