Excess fertilizer, pesticides (herbicides/insecticides/fungicides) and sediments are a major source of pollution in our waterways.

A properly managed lawn will reduce erosion and sedimentation and ultimately requires less fertilizer and pesticide than a poorly cared for lawn. To properly manage your lawn, consider: where you grow turf, select the right turf species, mow at the correct height, calibrate spreaders and make prudent decisions on irrigation, fertilizer and pesticide applications.

Follow these simple guidelines:

REDUCE YOUR LAWN AREA
Minimize the use of turf in your landscape design by converting part of your lawn to planted beds and riparian buffers. Select plants that do not require significant fertilizers and pesticides.

USE THE CORRECT TURFGRASS SPECIES
In full sun, use Bermuda grass for your lawn; in light shade, tall fescue, St. Augustine grass or zoysia grass. Adjust your care to the turfgrass species you are growing.

MOW AT THE CORRECT HEIGHT
Mowing turf too low makes it susceptible to weed, insect and disease invasion. Bermuda grass will perform best at a height of 2″ to 2½”; tall fescue, St. Augustine grass and zoysia grass at 3″ to 4″.

IRRIGATE ONLY AS NEEDED
Unneeded irrigation promotes disease, weed infestations, wastes power and depletes valuable ground water. Install a rain sensor on your automatic sprinkler system. Check the soil moisture level; not all brown turf is drought stricken. Early morning irrigation minimizes water loss and diseases. Water deeply and infrequently.

IF YOU FERTILIZE, HAVE YOUR SOIL TESTED FOR NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY BEFORE APPLYING FERTILIZERS. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.