When is Maintaining Our Lawns Bad for the Environment?

We all want to have a beautiful lush lawn. However, have you ever thought how going green on your lawn might be not going green for our environment? It is coming to a point in time; we all must be conscientious of what we are doing to our environment, especially our lawns. With each rain, excess fertilizers and pesticides that you apply on your lawn will run into your driveways, sidewalks, and street and it will continue into the storm drains. This runoff from your lawn pollutes the stormwater system which in turns filters into our waterways. The polluted waterways will end up destroying aquatic habitats with algal blooms and a loss of beneficial vegetation that ends up killing fish. It reminds me of the "House that Jack Built" only in reverse.

People in my own neighborhood have a tendency to blow their grass clippings and other plant materials into the street. What do you think happens there? This time it clogs your storm drains and if you are especially in an area of flooding can increase the odds of flooding. In addition, carelessness in allowing these grass clippings and tree trimmings to run into the stormwater system also stifles the oxygen in those same waterways for our fish and other aquatic life to survive.

So, let's go over some common sense tips to help managed our lawn care maintenance:

1. Reduce the amount of fertilizers used by finding out what is needed first. Too many people just place fertilizers on their lawns without realizing what the soil content is in their yard. Also, some parts of your lawn might require a totally different plant versus the other side of the lawn. In my city we have a horticulture extension center we can call for advice. So check out your horticulture extension center because these are the people that know your area. You might even be able to give them a soil sample for a free testing.

2. Stop blowing lawn clippings into the street. Blow them into the yard or compost them.

3. Here in Florida where our summers are very hot, we use mulch to reduce moisture evaporation of our trees and plants. This conserves water. Across the nation and the world it is getting hotter, we all will need to think of conserving our watering for plants and trees. Many parts of the nation already have restrictions on when to water lawns too.

4. Before heavy rains, do not apply fertilizers and pesticides. All it will do is run into the stormwater and not get absorbed into your lawn. Costing you money and hurting the environment.

5. Take your used lawn mower oil to a public collection facility. Most auto parts retailers are required to take your oil for free..
Responsible lawn care makes us good stewards of the environment and saves money. By working together we can all promote the best management practice of lawn care maintenance. The little things we do now, can ensure a better quality of life for generations to come.

Source: Orange County Environmental Protection Division