Before you fertilize, think about how what you put on the lawn affects your household, your pets, the grass itself and the environment around you.
Don't Overdo the Fertilizer
Read the product label and apply only the amount it calls for. Chemical fertilizers carry risks for people and pets, and using too much does real damage: it weakens roots, makes the lawn thirstier, builds up thatch, drives too-rapid growth and sends pollution into creeks and lakes. Doubling the dose will not double the results.
Watch the Forecast
If a storm arrives soon after you fertilize, much of the product rinses off the lawn before it can do its job. That wastes your money, and the runoff travels through storm drains straight into local waterways. There, the extra nutrients feed heavy growth of algae and aquatic plants, which can lead to fish kills.
An easy substitute for synthetic fertilizer is grasscycling: leave your clippings on the lawn after mowing so they break down and feed the soil. Many homeowners find that grasscycling cuts back on, or even ends, their need for synthetic lawn products, which is good for the budget, the yard and the environment alike.
More Tips
- Use chemical pesticides only after other options have failed. Along with the pests you are targeting, they can kill helpful insects and other beneficial species.
- Pesticides can poison kids and pets. Choose non-toxic products, or hire a lawn care company that offers them.
- Choose slow-release fertilizers.
- Keep leftover lawn chemicals stored safely and dispose of them properly; they do not belong in the trash.
- Never pour or dump anything into a storm drain.
Interested in cutting back on fertilizers and pesticides? Consider training to become a certified master composter, or explore the regional native-landscaping program for ideas on low-maintenance, water-wise yards. You can also read about the city's stormwater management program.
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