As we move from summer to fall, many West Milwaukee residents will start preparing their lawns and gardens for winter. Consider how these preparations affect Lake Michigan. Phosphorus and other nutrients that come from lawn care practices can lead to algae blooms that are detrimental to this local amenity!
If you’re planning to fertilize your lawn, take a soil test first to find the amount and type that you need. Extra fertilizer can run off or erode away with bare soil, so make sure to apply during dry periods and only when and where needed.
Consider leaving grass clippings on the lawn as an alternative to chemical fertilizer. Mowing your lawn high and often makes it easier for the grass to capture the clippings and for the soil to absorb the nutrients. This also keeps the clippings from becoming a source of nutrient pollution!
You can help West Milwaukee keep our lawns green- not our lakes! Learn more at https://bit.ly/yard-care.
