Green Up Your Lawn, Not Your Lakes and Rivers

City of Rochester, Public Works Department

507/328-2440, aplute@rochestermn.gov

Fall is right around the corner, and, for many home and business owners, this means a final blast of fertilizer on the lawn to ensure thick green grass in the springtime. However, your fertilizer may end up somewhere else besides your lawn – our waterways. In Rochester, we all have waterfront property because ditches and storm sewers transport storm water and pollution.

Responsible Fertilizing Practices How Do I Select and Use the Right Products?

Commercial fertilizing companies typically do not use phosphorous (unless your soil test determines that you need it). If you are a do-it-yourselfer, Look for the middle number when you buy fertilizer! A string of three numbers on a fertilizer bag shows its chemical content analysis – the middle number shows the phosphate (phosphorous) content. A zero in the middle means phosphorous-free fertilizer. Apply fertilizers at the recommended rate, and never  before a storm. Avoid getting fertilizers on natural drainage areas and hard surfaces. NEVER wash off fertilizer spills into the street. Instead, sweep up spills and excess granules.

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