Fertilizer, pesticides, and yard waste should all be kept away from the storm drain system. Don’t fertilize before heavy rains and, if absolutely necessary, use other chemicals in moderation. Fertilizer in storm drains adds extra nutrients to our waterways, eventually reducing the amount of oxygen available to plants and animals.

Remove Storm Drain Debris
Clean out nearby storm drains as part of your yard work routine. Clogged drains cause street flooding, and any debris that enters the storm drain ends up in our local waterways. If only yard waste is blocking the storm drain, put it in your compost. If you find trash and debris, just put it in the trash. Make sure only water goes down the drains!

Outdoor Spills
Don’t use a hose to spray away debris on your driveway or sidewalk. Instead, sweep up and throw the waste away. For an outdoor chemical spill, use a mop, rag or absorbent material (such as kitty litter), to clean up. Don’t wash spills off of paved surfaces or they will enter the storm drain system.

Watering Lawn
Do not water your lawn heavily after fertilizing or the fertilizer will simply wash off your lawn and into nearby storm drains. Fertilizer in storm drains adds extra nutrients to local water bodies, causing a reduction in the amount of oxygen available to plants and animals. Your lawn probably needs a lot less water than you think. Monitor the amount of water used when watering your lawn so you do not over water. Try the “walk test”- walk across the lawn and then look for your footprints. If you can clearly see your footprints in the lawn, the grass is thirsty. If the grass pops up after you walk on it, then it doesn’t need water. Less evaporation occurs when watering in the morning (4AM to 8AM is best) and watering during these hours is better for your lawn.

Fertilizing Lawns
Many of us unknowingly waste time and money by putting too much of the wrong kind of fertilizer on our landscapes, often at the wrong time. Generally speaking, lawns need much less fertilizer than is advertised. Excess nutrients either leach through the soil to the groundwater, or are washed by rain into storm drains that lead to the nearest waterbody. These nutrients can contaminate our drinking water and cause rapid algae growth in the bays. Algae blooms choke out waterbodies and not only makes swimming and boating unpleasant, but also can block out sunlight and deplete the water of oxygen, killing fish and other animals.

Here are just three ways to help you save time and money:
» Leave grass clipping on the lawn: Mulching mowers create fine grass clipping that will break down and add nitrogen and organic matter to the soil. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn over the season provides the equivalent of one regular fertilizer application.
» Use compost: A thin layer of compost (1/4” or less) will provide most of what your soil needs. Compost also adds organic materials that help the soil retain moisture. High-quality compost is available in nurseries by the bag or in bulk, or you can make your own.
» If necessary, use organic fertilizers carefully: If you still need to add nutrients to your soil, choose an organic fertilizer as this will supplement your soil and “feed” your plants. Be sure to a) Use an organic, slow-release, water-insoluble fertilizer at the recommended dose; b) don’t spread the fertilizer if heavy rain is predicted; c) evenly distribute the fertilizer using a mechanical spreader at the lowest setting; d) sweep up fertilizer that accidentally lands on paved surfaces.

Check out the Greenscapes program webpage for more much more information on how to let nature provide your landscape’s water and nutrient needs!

Herbicides/Pesticide Use
Use herbicides and pesticides only as a last resort. Seek alternatives to pesticide and herbicide use.

Integrated Pest Management:
Integrated pest management uses natural methods to reduce damage from pests and weeds. An integrated pest management program promotes natural control of pest species and reduces chemical use. For instance, you can experiment using red pepper spray to get rid of insects.

Resources:
» How to Take Care of Your Lawn while Protecting Water Quality (Cornell Extension)

Clipping/Mowing/Raking
If you need to discard of yard waste, do so during weekly collections. Alternatively, you can use leaves and grass clippings as mulch using a mulching mower or use them for your compost pile. Don’t sweep clippings onto street where they can enter or block the storm drains.

Low Impact Lawn
You can create a lawn which is more environmentally friendly, requires less maintenance, and will still look good by emulating nature. Some tips include: reducing total turf area, retaining existing and native vegetation, mowing higher, increasing biodiversity in the lawn, and leaving lawn clipping as mulch.

Reduce Erosion and Loss of Topsoil
Seed bare spots in your yard so dirt from your lawn stays in your lawn instead of flowing to storm drains.

Compost Grass Clippings
Compost can be used instead of fertilizer. It is also a good soil improver and helps with water retention.

Resources:
» http://www.mass.gov/dep/consumer/compost.htm
» http://www.compostguide.com/

Paved Surfaces
Paved surfaces prevent water from soaking into the ground. The water, with pollutants, flows off of the pavement and into storm drains. Using permeable paving materials such as gravel allows water to soak in, rather than run off, the land. Consider directing downspouts away from paved surfaces onto lawns to increase natural infiltration.

Rainwater
Instead of letting rainwater flow off your roof, into your driveway and to the storm drains, you can collect it in rain barrels and use it for your household chores, such as watering your lawn. For more information on rain barrels: http://rainbarrelguide.com/ .