July 31, 2002

by Dr. Jeffrey A. Thornton, Principal Planner (Environment)

Everything that humans do on the land surface has consequences for the water environment. Whether we live adjacent to a lake or miles away, potential pollutants exposed on the land surface are carried by rainfall and runoff into stormwater conveyance systems, stream systems, and, ultimately, lakes and ponds and groundwater aquifers. Not every contaminant carried off the land surface into water bodies is a pollutant, but many of these contaminants can become pollutants if they are present in sufficient quantities to create conditions that form a nuisance to humans. Fortunately, because many of the contaminants and pollutants are a consequence of human actions, individuals can help become part of "the solution to pollution."

One of the easiest ways that we can become a friend to our lakes and waterways is to manage our lawns, gardens, and flower beds in a lake-friendly manner. A simple rule to remember is that "what turns our lawns green, also turns our lakes green." This happens when the fertilizers that we apply in excess are washed out of our yards and into our streams. Yes, it is possible to have too much of a good thing!

All living things require nutrients to grow. As humans, we often look at the nutritional panels on food products, and occasionally speculate on what percentage of our recommended daily dose of vitamins and minerals we actually receive. When we ignore these guidelines, we may suffer from those few extra inches or pounds that many of us spend considerable sums of money to control.

Rarely do we make the same connection between the label on our yard care products and the environmental health of our lakes and streams. Yet, our waterways can suffer when we exceed that "recommended daily dose" of fertilizers and other garden chemicals. Instead of putting on a few pounds, our lakes become eutrophic, or, literally, "well-fed."

Eutrophication is a natural process of lake aging that occurs over geologic time. Ultimately, our lakes will be transformed into wetlands and, then, into terrestrial landscapes. Human, though, can accelerate this process by increasing the rate at which nutrients and other contaminants enter the aquatic environment. In days gone by, we often looked at farmers as a "cause" since farmers traditionally apply artificial fertilizers to their fields to increase yields of crops. Many of these nonpoint sources of nutrients, or sources which cannot be identified by an outfall or end of a factory pipe—often referred to as point sources, have been controlled through a process of education, voluntary participation in priority watershed projects designed to reduce nonpoint source pollutant loads entering our waterways, or escalating "input costs." At the same time, however, we have increasingly applied these same nutrients in ever increasing quantities to our back yards. Lawn care has become affordable, and even a necessary luxury, for those of us, ever pressed for time, who find that our love for our yard is not matched by our available time in which to enjoy it.

The result is that, today, homeowners are applying fertilizers and yard care products to their lawns and gardens at rates of up to 10 or more times that of the old time farmers. Suddenly, the balance has shifted, and, as the cartoon character Pogo once remarked, "we have met the enemy...."

There is good news! We can all become good neighbors to our lakes and streams...and, most likely, save some money at the same time by following a few simple "good housekeeping" rules.

Rule #1. Use compost and mulch.

In Southeastern Wisconsin, we have benefited from all those rich soils and minerals delivered to our doorstep by the glaciers during the last Ice Age. Our soils are generally quite fertile and require few additional nutrients. Many of these nutrients can be supplied from within your own households. Blending "brown" and "green" wastes in a 50-50 mixture can produce a free, rich, odor-free, and natural fertilizer for your garden—brown wastes include dried leaves, twigs and wood chips; green wastes include grass clippings and food scraps (do not, however, add meat scraps, fats, or grease to your compost). In addition, mulching lawn mowers not only reduce raking time but also return important nutrients to the lawn. Placing mulch around planting beds helps retain soil moisture and reduces watering time—be sure to water in the evenings when evaporation is lowest, and, if possible, avoid watering your lawn...dormancy is natural for grasses when rainfall is low.

Rule #2. Apply the right fertilizer.

If you need to fertlize, choosing the ‘right’ fertilizer is important. At times, this might seem a bit like playing roulette, with all the different brands and mixtures to choose from. Nevertheless, whether you use a service or apply it yourself, applying the correct fertilizer for the result that you want to achieve is important. The first step in making this choice is to have a soil test done. Spending about $20 to have the University of Wisconsin-Extension analyze your soils will provide you with an exact break down of the nutrients already present in your soil, as well as the soil nutrient requirements for lawns, flower beds, and vegetable gardens. The appropriate blend of fertilizer can be prepared for you by most agricultural cooperatives.

Rule #3. Use native plants...Maintain a shoreline buffer strip.

Why fight nature? While our yards and gardens provide areas for play and relaxation, rarely are entire lawns used in these pursuits. Large grassed areas simply demand more care and maintenance. Reduce your yard work by working with nature. Prairie flowers and grasses are well adapted to life in Southeastern Wisconsin. Converting part of your yard into a natural landscape will save water, require fewer agro-chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc.), and reduce overall maintenance requirements. Natural landscapes will also attract more birds and butterflies—after all, people responding to questionnaire surveys report that aesthetic appreciation and wildlife viewing are major recreational uses of the landscape!

Residents in shoreland areas can further help nature by leaving a portion of their shoreline in a natural state. The increasing varieties of natural plants and grasses available to homeowners and householders mean that this natural shoreline does not have to be a "weed patch," but rather can contribute to your shoreland landscaping, while providing protection for our waterways and lakes. Maintaining a 10- to 30-feet wide buffer will help to absorb nutrients and other potential pollutants running off the land surface, limit shoreline erosion, and enhance the natural shoreline aspect that many of us enjoy. Not the least of the benefits will be the enhanced privacy that these buffers can provide for riparian residences, as well as the reduced maintenance requirements, once the natural buffers are established.

HINT: Using natural landscaping methods on areas with steep slopes not only promotes less soil erosion but also means fewer lawn care accidents!

Rule #4. Practice good housekeeping.

What do you think of when you hear the term "good housekeeping?" Cleaning? Painting? Beautification projects? All of these activities require work that generally involves cleaning materials, paints, and other chemical products, as well as machinery that also requires cleaning and maintenance. How and where are these products disposed? Dumping them down the sink of neighborhood storm drain can put our community’s waterways and lakes at risk. Toxic chemicals are no less toxic in the environment. A few simple "DOs" will help protect not only our environment but also our families and pets:

• DO read the label directions.
• DO use the products as directed...a little bit more does not always result in added benefit!
• DO clean up with the recommended products.
• DO dispose of unused products according to the directions.

Have left over paints, chemicals, and other potentially toxic materials in your basement or garage, watch you local news media for "Clean Sweep" opportunities offered by the County. These events will help you dispose of unwanted materials properly and without risk to the environment.

Rule #5. Reduce, reuse, recycle!

This "rule" is really the complement of the previous four. In everything we do, our impact on our lakes, waterways, communities, and neighbors will be lessened if we all work together! Reducing our use of water—both in the house and in the garden, artificial chemicals, packaging materials, energy—including gasoline and electricity, and other products will minimize our "footprint" in the environment. Working with nature can help us to better enjoy our surroundings by providing us with more time for relaxation and play. Reusing packaging, yard waste—as compost and mulch, and other items generally discarded in the trash will save space in our landfills and reduce our disposal costs...as well as enhancing our shared environment. Recycling aluminum and steel cans, plastics, paper, and cardboard saves energy, our landfills, and the environment. Buying products with recycled materials has a positive environmental benefit, and encourages greater use of recycling in society and industry. It is all part of the "circle of life."

We all will benefit from following these "rules." And, we will all better enjoy our environment, its woodlands, waters, and prairies as a result.