Working on the Lawn? Grow Grass Not Algae: VIDEO

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Sunday at least is forecast to be a great day for projects around the yard. If you're planning to fertilize your lawn this spring, New York conservation officials have a request: Look for the Zero.

More than 100 water bodies in New York State cannot be used or enjoyed as a result of too much phosphorus.

Generally, only newly established lawns or those with poor soil need the chemical anyway. Phosphorus applied to lawns that don’t need it will not be used by the grass, so it's a waste of your money.

So it won't help the grass grow, but it can cause water pollution. Excess phosphorus from lawns anywhere in the state can wash off and pollute lakes and streams, harming fish and ruining boating and swimming.

So the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is urging New Yorkers to practice sustainable lawn care by going phosphorus free, using native plants and grasses, and reducing fertilizer use. The DEC has launched the “Look for the Zero” campaign to encourage New Yorkers to purchase phosphorus-free 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 protect water quality and public health,”said DEC Commissioner Basil 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 eliminating phosphorus and reducing pesticide use on lawns, New Yorkers can play an important role in addressing water quality impairments across the state."

Consumers should review bag labels for phosphorus content when shopping for fertilizer. Fertilizer labels have three bold numbers. The number in the middle is the percentage of phosphorus in the product, such as: 22-0-15.

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. The law also requires retailers to display phosphorus fertilizer separately from phosphorus-free fertilizer and post signs notifying customers of the terms of the law. The law does not affect agricultural fertilizer or fertilizer for gardens.

Homeowners have several options to practice more sustainable lawn care.

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.

Some tips:

• Spread a quarter inch of compost on the lawn to improve moisture retention and soil texture and add beneficial microorganisms and nutrients.
• Allow grass to grow to three inches and then cut no more than one inch off the top. This is the "one-third" rule which helps to develop a deeper root system, a natural defense against weeds, disease and drought.
• Leave lawn clippings on the lawn to improve its health. Grass clippings are 80 percent water and contain 2-4 percent nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients. (Leaving clippings also saves homeowners time while mowing and reduces the amount of garbage thrown out. Grass clippings can account for as much as 10 percent of garbage.)
• Visit the DEC sustainable landscaping page to learn more.

Think about alternatives to big lawns. The DEC encourages homeowners 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.

DEC has posted this new video to its YouTube channel that shows how phosphorus and other chemicals can run off lawns and enter our waterways.

More about Lawn Fertilizer (NYS Nutrient Runoff Law):

• Text of Nutrient Runoff Law - Environmental Conservation Law, article 17, title 21 and Agriculture and Markets Law § 146-g, effective January 2012
• FAQ for Lawn Fertilizer - Additional information about the specifics of the Nutrient Runoff Law.
• For more information, visit DEC’s Lawn Fertilizer webpage.

Image/DEC