Lawn Care for the Environment:

1. Maintain soil pH levels between 6.0 and 6.5 Soil pH can be determined by a soil test. For more information go to: http://extension.unh.edu/Agric/AGPDTS/SoilTest.htm

2. If only blended fertilizers are available, choose the one with the lowest amount of phosphorus. Excess phosphorus can lead to Algae blooms in local water systems.

3. Apply fertilizers in the spring after the lawn greens up and apply for the last time no later than beginning of October.

4. When you fertilize, leave a buffer strip of unfertilized grasses or other vegetation around water bodies (streams, rivers, estuaries, bays, coastal areas, vernal pools, wetlands, drainage areas etc..)

5. Mow as high as you can (leaf blades should be at least 3 inches long when you finish mowing) Return clippings to the lawn. Clippings supply a slow-release source of nitrogen to the lawn and allow for reduced fertilizer applications.

6. If you water your lawn, apply a total amount of 1 inch of water a week. This includes rain water and irrigation water. Over watering can lead to leaching of nitrogen into groundwater. Use a rain gauge or tin can to measure precipitation. Also, watering early in the day allows the leaf blades to completely dry, helping to prevent disease problems.

7. Topdress your lawn surface with compost or other organic matter to raise the organic matter content of your soil to at least 3%-5%. The mount of organic matter in your soil can be determined with a soil test. Apply only ¼ inch of OM per application and a total of only ½ inch per year.

8. Choose grasses such as fescues that require less nutrient and water inputs.

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