When the seasons change, yard work chores ramp up: weeding and mowing in the spring, dealing with the deluge of leaves in the autumn. As you tackle your outdoor tasks, remember that the runoff from your yard is carried directly to our lakes, streams, and wetlands via storm sewers. Unlike the sanitary sewer systems serving our homes, storm sewers return water to the watershed untreated and unfiltered. Keep your runoff as clean as possible by following these simple tips:
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Never dump or blow grass clippings, leaves or any other other yard waste into lakes, streams or storm sewers. Even “organic” debris can damage water quality! Grass clippings and leaves contain nitrogen and phosphorus (nutrients that can that stimulate algae growth), and consume oxygen from the water as they decompose. Grass clippings can be left on the lawn for a natural mulching effect; leaves and other yard waste should be composted or bagged for removal.
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Never apply lawn fertilizer in natural drainage areas, on hard surfaces, or down to the water’s edge. At minimum, leave a 10-foot unfertilized “buffer.”
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Read and carefully follow label directions for all lawn care products, including directions for proper disposal of containers.
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Re-seed any bare spots on your lawn; mulch with straw and keep moist for several weeks.
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If you live on a lake, leave a buffer zone of natural vegetation or unmanaged grass along the shoreline. If you plant your own buffer zone, it’s important to use only native plants — many non-natives, while attractive, can be invasive, and control of non-native species is one of the most serious problems facing lakes and streams.
