Fertilizers, herbicides, and other chemicals can be carried into rivers and streams during heavy rain when your lawn is flooded. Chemicals could harm the delicate ecosystem of plants and wildlife, so it’s advisable to manage the runoff using good practices. A lawn fertilizer service may help with nutrient management, aeration, bio-herbicides, cover crops, and other control techniques. Here are some ways to reduce chemical runoff from fertilizer:
Manage Soil Nutrients
One of the effective ways to reduce chemical runoff from your lawn is nutrient management. A lawn fertilizer service usually includes soil testing to determine your grass’ nutrient needs. Once you know what your lawn requires, customize fertilizer applications and techniques to minimize chemical use. You can also use slow-release fertilizer to reduce the number of applications per year. Controlled-release fertilizers also protect your grass and soil from the effects of excess fertilizer, such as burning or a patchy appearance. Use organic fertilizers, compost, and manure to reduce the reliance on chemical fertilizers.
Aerate Your Lawn
Compact lawns often increase fertilizer runoff because the ground is impermeable. If your lawn has been compacted by foot traffic or because of clay soil underneath, schedule aeration services to help loosen the soil. Lawn care companies use various techniques to cut small holes into the ground and make room for the compacted soil to breathe. Aeration increases the flow of water, air, and nutrients into the ground and plant roots. Loose soil absorbs more water, which reduces pooling and runoff. The lawns also absorb more nutrients, such as oxygen and nitrogen, which promotes the growth of healthy, resilient grass that needs less water and fertilizer.
Control Lawn Weeds
Weed control eliminates unwanted species that compete with your grass for nutrients. Reduced nutrient competition results in less need for fertilizer and irrigation. You might use bio-herbicides, which don’t feature harmful chemicals found in synthetic weed control products. Bio-herbicides contain iron and other less-harmful elements that discourage the growth of weeds without increasing chemical levels in your lawn. You can also work with a lawn care company for appropriate weed control practices like cover crops, pre-seeding tilling, and manual weed removal.
Plant Buffer Strips
Another way to reduce chemical runoff is by planting vegetation along your property perimeter to create a buffer strip. You could plant grass, shrubs, and trees to absorb and eliminate chemicals and other pollutants from water. Choose native species or other plants known to absorb more nutrients and fertilizer chemicals like phosphorus. Buffer strips can also trap sediments and filter the water running off from your lawn. The strips also reduce soil erosion, which could lead to loss of nutrients for your grass or vegetation. Buffer strips also reduce your lawn’s fertilizer requirement while simultaneously providing a barrier that keeps chemicals away from runoff water. Use tall and dense vegetation for more effective barrier control.
Integrated Pest Management
Lawn pests eat or damage your grass and cover crops, resulting in a more frequent need for seeding, reseeding, and fertilizing. By controlling pests, you can maintain a healthier lawn and reduce the number of fertilizer applications. Integrated pest management focuses on chemical-free cultural and biological techniques that minimize the use of pesticides. Implementing integrated pest control reduces the risk of fertilizer and pesticide runoff because small bugs and other pests won’t damage your greenery as often. Pest control also promotes the establishment of healthy resilient lawns that require less fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, and water. Healthy grass and trees have deep roots that extract more nutrients from the ground and require as well.
Find a Lawn Fertilizer Service Today
Fertilizer increases nutrient uptake and promotes root development, resulting in lush, healthy lawns. Before applying fertilizer, test the soil, determine the nutrients to add, and establish an optimal application schedule. Contact a lawn fertilizer service today to learn more about the proper practices for reducing chemical runoff from fertilizer.
