Celebrate Earth Day With Your Lawn Care

Did you know that more than 100 bodies of water in New York are unsuitable for swimming, fishing, or drinking due to phosphorous overuse? To protect water quality, State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos urges New Yorkers to practice sustainable lawn care.

The DEC launched the "Look for the Zero" campaign Thursday to encourage homeowners to go phosphorus-free when using lawn fertilizer.

"The actions New Yorkers take in their backyards can have a big impact on the environment. By choosing sustainable lawn care homeowners are helping to protect water quality and public health," said Seggos. "Excess phosphorous is causing problems in many New York waterbodies, making them unusable for swimming, fishing, or as a source of drinking water. I urge residents to 'Look for the Zero' and buy phosphorous-free fertilizer this spring. By choosing to use sustainable practices, eliminating phosphorus, and reducing pesticide use on lawns, New Yorkers can play an important role in addressing water quality impairments across the state."

DEC first introduced “Look for the Zero” in 2017, and released a public service announcement that shows the effects of fertilizer runoff on New York’s waterbodies.

Phosphorus has been the focus of recent Harmful Algal Bloom summits recently held in four locations throughout New York, as part of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s State of the State initiative to address harmful blue-green algae blooms in New York lakes. The summits brought together community leaders, national and local experts, and state agency officials to develop strategies to address HABs in New York.

The Hudson Valley summit was to guide the development of four action plans to reduce harmful algal blooms in the following waterbodies: Lake Carmel, and Palmer and Putnam lakes in Putnam County, as well as the Monhagen Brook watershed, including the five reservoirs serving the Middletown area in Orange County.

Regardless of the location, excess phosphorus from lawns can wash off and pollute lakes and streams, harming fish, pets, or people that use these waters for recreating and a source of revenue for towns that must close beaches or boating areas.

New York's nutrient runoff law prohibits the use of phosphorus lawn fertilizers unless a new lawn is being established or a soil test shows that the lawn does not have enough phosphorus. Generally, only newly established lawns or those with poor soil need phosphorus. Phosphorus applied to already existing lawns should not be used and can cause water pollution.

New York State law requires retailers to post signs notifying customers of the terms of the law and to display phosphorus fertilizer separately from phosphorus-free fertilizer. DEC is encouraging consumers to review bag labels for phosphorus content when shopping for fertilizer. Fertilizer labels have three numbers. The number in the middle is the percentage of phosphorus in the product, such as: 22-0-15.

Homeowners are encouraged to practice more sustainable lawn care and to choose native plants and grasses, which are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions. These plant species provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, insects, birds, and other animals.

Organic lawn care can easily be implemented on any lawn. Safe and effective alternatives exist for most chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Organic lawn care treatments promote deep root systems, natural photosynthesis, and longer grass growth. Visit DEC's Sustainable Landscaping web page to learn more.

Additional recommendations for sustainable lawn care include spreading a quarter inch of compost on the lawn to improve moisture retention and soil texture and add beneficial microorganisms and nutrients. Another suggestion is to allow grass to grow to three inches and then cut no more than one inch off the top. This is the "one-third" rule and helps to develop a deeper root system, which is a natural defense against weeds, disease and drought. Visit DEC's Lawn Care web page for more information.

DEC also encourages homeowners to leave lawn clippings after mowing to improve the health of the lawn. Grass clippings are 80 percent water and contain two to four percent nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients. Leaving clippings also saves homeowners time after mowing and reduces the amount of garbage thrown out. Grass clippings can account for as much as 10 percent of garbage.

New York’s nutrient runoff law does not affect agricultural fertilizer or fertilizer for gardens.

SEE: State Addressing Toxic Algae In Local Lakes

PHOTO/ Lanning Taliaferro