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You Can Curb Water Pollution by Starting in Your Own Back Yard

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You Can Curb Water Pollution by Starting in Your Own Back Yard A NEWSLETTER BROUGHT TO YOU BY YOUR TOWNSHIP First Quarter 2017 You Can Curb Water Pollution by Starting in Your Own Back Yard Stormwater, rain that runs off hard surfaces and eventually into local waterways, is a major and fast growing source of pollution that affects every watershed. This runoff may carry sediment, nutrients from lawns, waste from farms and pets, oil and litter from streets, and other contaminants into streams or storm drains. To cover the costs of managing stormwater’s impact on the environment, some local governments have recently established programs that impose fees on property owners, who play a crucial role in limit- ing water pollution right in their own yards. “When you add up the combined efforts of thou- sands of individual homeowners, the cumulative im- provement on stormwater runoff and water quality can By simply adjusting the length of your grass when mow- be quite substantial,” says Al Todd, Executive Director ing, you can help to reduce stormwater runoff and wa- of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, “but it can be ter pollution. Taller grass slows the rate of runoff and hard to find the right information to get started.” produces a deeper, denser root system, which absorbs The following lawn and garden tips will help more water, prevents erosion, and suppresses weeds. property owners partner with their community to manage stormwater and battle water pollution. Getting a start in mizes or eliminates the use of chemicals. your own back yard Reducing chemical applications and encourag- A “stormwater-friendly” lawn is one that can ing infiltration will help stabilize local water flows absorb rainwater and does not harm local streams and also maintain natural nutrient levels in streams. due to the over-application of chemicals. Likewise, Stormwater-friendly lawns and gardens will help you a “stormwater-friendly” garden is one that uses save money on fertilizers and time on upkeep once organic compost as fertilizer to amend soil and mini- they become established. • First Quarter 2017 ➤ A stormwater-friendly lawn and growth with reduced amounts of fertilizer, Home gardens Following the steps below will not only help pro- saving time and money. tect local streams and rivers but can result in direct 4) Apply only during the growing season and can contribute and substantial cost savings to you, the homeowner. check the weather. Wait until the grass begins a considerable • Set mower height to 3 inches or higher. growing in March to fertilize and avoid fertilizing Taller grass slows the rate of runoff and produces after October. Fertilizing during a lawn’s dormant amount of nutrients a deeper, denser root system, which will absorb season increases the risk of the chemicals running and other pollution more water, prevent erosion, and suppress weeds. off into streams or leaching into your water table Deeper roots also have access to more water because root systems are less active. Additionally, to streams and stored in the ground and can reduce the need for do not fertilize before it rains since most of it will irrigation during droughts. wash off your lawn. other water bodies • Retain grass clippings and chopped leaves 5) Do not fertilize or use pesticides within if not cared for in onsite. A mulch-mower is ideal for retaining and 15 to 20 feet of a stream and use riparian- spreading clippings on your lawn. The clippings specific herbicides, if necessary. Maintaining a responsible way. decompose quickly, provide important nutrients for this distance will help keep chemicals out of the your lawn, and settle to create an organic layer on stream. Also, consider establishing a natural ripar- the soil that encourages stormwater infiltration. This ian buffer, instead. technique can significantly reduce or eliminate the 6) Sweep any granulated chemicals off hard need for nitrogen fertilizers. surfaces and back onto your lawn immediately: • Also, by spreading grass clippings on your Your walkway, driveway, patio, or road is often lawn, you can reduce the amount of fertilizer needed. a quick route to drainage • Keep clippings and chopped leaves out of pipes that discharge into local Turn your grass streams, off the street, and out of storm drains. If streams so make sure they’re clippings into mulching is not possible, bag the clippings and store kept clean of chemicals. compost, an them in a compost area where the organic material ➤ A stormwater-friendly garden environmentally can be used as a fertilizer later. Blowing them onto Home gardens can contrib- friendly way to a street or into storm drains deposits the clippings ute a considerable amount of fertilize your directly into local streams, where they decompose nutrients and other pollution to garden and lawn. and become major pollutants by increasing nitrogen streams and other water bodies to unsafe levels for fish and other aquatic life. if not cared for in a responsible • Fertilizers for your lawn…do you need way. This mainly applies to them? If so, what, where, when, and how much? fertilizers and pesticides so here Many lawns do not need fertilizer because they are are some options: already fertile or you have carried out the previously • Garden fertilizers: discussed practices. Using no fertilizer is ideal for the Organic alternatives to bay’s health, but if your lawn is thin or has bare spots, chemicals include compost you should consider fertilizing it. or manure. Compost can be • A dense vegetated cover is the most “stormwater- created in your own back yard, friendly” lawn so take the following steps to determine is free, and contains the many if fertilizer is necessary for your property: nutrients needed for your 1) Test your soil or consult a local profes- vegetables. Also, be sure to sional or certified applicator. There is no “one apply organic fertilizers before size fits all” when it comes to fertilizer. Needs vary planting to prevent runoff. drastically based on soil texture, pH levels, and nu- • Pesticides: When it trient levels. In fact, soil tests can reveal that lawns comes to pesticides, identify the pest and research may be suffering from micronutrient deficiency, your options. Many insects are harmless to people and standard chemical fertilizers may not alleviate and play an important role in maintaining a healthy the problem. Identifying these needs will reduce lawn or garden ecosystem. unnecessary applications, create a healthier lawn If there is a problem, however, identify the exact faster, and reduce your long-term costs. pest you have. Consult an expert because there are 2) Maximize the slow-release nitrogen in many nonchemical alternatives to controlling pests. your fertilizer. Typically called “water insoluble Pesticides can infiltrate the ground water, nitrogen,” or WIN, on fertilizer bags, slow-release contaminate drinking supplies, and severely harm nitrogen limits nutrient runoff and exportation. downstream ecosystems if applied incorrectly or This should be applied in the spring, not autumn, unnecessarily. to provide a steady source of nutrients throughout In the long run, little actions, such as taking a the growing season. stormwater-friendly approach to your garden and 3) Start with low amounts or fewer applica- lawn, will have a big impact as all of us work to- tions: Your lawn may achieve its ideal coverage gether to protect our water’s quality..
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