Complete a soil test to determine if your lawn requires additional fertilizers. Cornell University Extension offers testing
Use mulch; it is good for plants and reduces the need to apply fertilizer.
If your soil requires additional nutrients, use compost instead of store-bought inorganic fertilizers, or make your own compost at home, using leaves, grass clippings and other organic debris.
If you must use fertilizer, use “slow-release” organic fertilizers which are broken down gradually by microbes in the soil so plants are able to use the nutrients over a longer period of time; less fertilizer is wasted by seeping into ground water or washing off into streams.
Don’t use herbicides or pesticides as they also contain phosphorus. Consider pulling weeds manually or leaving some weeds in the ground for a more natural looking garden. Although phosphorus free pesticides exist, they cause other problems in water bodies in addition to excess phosphorus.
Reduce areas of exposed soil on your property as soil runoff carries phosphorus to the bay and Lake Ontario. This is especially important during renovations – make sure to speak to your contractor about sediment control measures.
Collect stormwater runoff from your roof and store it in rain barrels or anunderground rainwater recovery system. With additional plumbing, this stored water can be tapped into garden hoses, toilets or other household uses.
Visit a car wash, where water is treated and recycled, instead of washing your car in your driveway.
Conduct regular maintenance on your septic system to prevent backups and a potential release of phosphorus.
When constructing driveways, patios or sidewalks, use permable pavers to infiltrate stormwater into the ground.
Plant a rain garden to collect and filter stormwater runoff from rooftops and driveways.
Do not mow right up to the water, and do not deposit grass clippings in the bay or on the banks, as they contain phosphorus.
Keep them in a compost bin and use them later as a mulch.
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