- Home
- Storm Water
- Lawn Care
Lawn Care
Traditional lawn care can produce significant amounts of nutrient-rich stormwater runoff, which can have detrimental impacts on streams, lakes and rivers, adding to issues such as algal blooms, loss of fish and wildlife habitat, increased weed growth, and even beach closings!
So, how can you maintain a lush, green lawn while lessening your contribution to stormwater pollution? The following simple practices are the keys to a healthy lawn... and a healthier community by allowing you to reduce your overall chemical usage while maintaining the same, or even better, quality lawn.
Mulching Tree Leaves Into Lawns:
The state regulation that prohibits sending yard wastes to landfills has created a problem for grounds managers and homeowners who need to dispose of tree leaves each fall. One alternative is to compost the leaves, either on the premises or at a local composting center. The latter requires collection, bagging and a means of transport to a compost center. The former requires part of the landscape devoted to the composting. When there are many trees on the grounds, leaf clean-up and composting can be a time-consuming chore. Another means of disposal is simply mowing the turf/tree leaves with a rotary mower often enough to pulverize the leaves so they fall into the turf. A legitimate question is: What effect does this have on the turf, both short-term and long-term?
Studies:
With these questions in mind, a study supported by the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation was initiated at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center in October 1990 to evaluate the effects of mulching tree leaves into a Kentucky bluegrass turf. Leaves from a mixed stand of trees, but predominantly maple, were collected. Three leaf rates in a one-time application each year were applied: none, light (about 3 inches of dry leaves) and heavy (about 6 inches of leaves). The leaves were mulched into the turf with a mulching rotary mower using two passes. With the heavy rate, much of the grass was covered with the mulched leaves. Two nitrogen rates were used as well: 2 or 4 pounds N per 1,000 square feet annually with one-quarter of the total applied at the time of leaf mulching. The leaf treatments have been applied each October.
A second study was initiated in October 1991 in which oak or maple leaves were applied to a Kentucky bluegrass turf. A single rate of leaves was applied. There were 4 replications of each treatment in each study. Both studies were conducted on turfs in the open sun. As we have evaluated the turf throughout the growing seasons, there have been no meaningful differences observed in turf quality ratings, turf density, thickness of the "thatch" layer, amount of organic matter in the "thatch" layer or the number of dandelions in the plots.
The nitrogen applications provided some improvement in turf quality ratings, but there was no apparent effect on the rate at which the leaves decompose.
Data Collection:
From the data collected to date it appears that returning the leaves to the turf is not harmful to the grass if the mulching/mowing is done at appropriate times. To date, there is no apparent short-term or long-term negative or positive effect. When oak leaves are predominant, it will be necessary to mulch them into the turf later into the fall because they are held on the trees longer than most other trees.
For best results, leave the mower set at the same height as you have been mowing the turf. It is important to use a rotary mower that pulverizes the leaves well and that the leaves are dry when mowed. Sharpening the mower blades and a slow movement with the mower will help to grind the leaves finer. It may be necessary to make as many as 3 or 4 passes over the area to grind the leaves fine enough. The finer the leaf particles, the more easily they fall into the turf, leaving grass leaves exposed to the sunlight.
Study Observations:
Our observation is that the pulverized leaves will settle into the turf within a day or two, particularly if followed by rain. Take care that the pulverized leaves do not cover the grass blades entirely. It is best if the tree leaves are "mowed" regularly, not allowing them to lie on the turf more than 3 or 4 days.
Fall is a very important time for the turf to photosynthesize and store carbohydrates, particularly under trees where the turf receives limited sunlight during the summer. Although additional nitrogen has not shown any major benefit we still suggest 1/2 pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in addition to the normal fall nitrogen fertilization to enhance decomposition of the tree leaves.
Mulching the leaves into the turf is a reasonable means of disposing of the leaves. These studies prove that what many turf managers have been practicing is practical and does not harm the grass if done timely.
Get the Most Out of Your Lawn Care Service:
You want a healthy, green lawn, but you just don’t have the time to take care of it yourself. So you hire a lawn care service. But now you’re worried about how much fertilizer they apply. And was that pesticide application really necessary? You know that chemical lawn care applications are a huge contributor to water pollution and you wonder if it’s safe for your kids to run around barefoot in the backyard.
There is good news. You can hire a lawn care service and protect your home environment, too.
Setting Goals:
First of all, you need to know what your goals for your lawn are. Do you want a pristine green like a golf course? Or are you okay with hand-digging a weed here and there? Are you concerned about contamination from excess chemical applications? Communicate your goals with the lawn care service and ask them to tailor a lawn care program to meet your needs. You are the customer; you can choose the services you wish for your lawn.
Ask Questions:
Secondly, ask questions about specific practices of the service. As lawn care professionals they should adhere to certain best management practices widely known to produce the best results in home lawns while reducing environmental risks. For example:
Do they test the soil before deciding how often to fertilize and which nutrients to apply?
Do they use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer when appropriate to reduce the amount lost to leaching?
Are they careful to use no-phosphorous fertilizers when working on property near lakes and streams?
Do they fertilize only when the grass is actively growing (not before May or during late summer when grass is dormant)?
Do they sweep up fertilizer granules from the sidewalk and driveways?
Do they spot-treat for weeds rather than widely broadcasting an herbicide where it may not be needed?
Will they mow the grass high (2.5 to 3 inches) to naturally shade out weeds and allow for stronger root growth of the grass?
Will they return grass clippings to the lawn to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers by up to 25%?
Before Signing:
Finally, when you decide on a lawn care service, carefully read the service agreement before signing. Make sure you understand the schedule and frequency of services, all fees, and disclosures about which products will be used on your lawn. If you have questions about the health effects of specific chemicals, call the National Pesticide Information Center at 800-858-7378.
Source:
Erin Charles, Muskegon Conservation District
Contact Information:
For more information, or a free consultation about the environmental effects of your current lawn care practices, contact the Muskegon Conservation District at 231-773-0008.
Source:
Michigan State University (MSU) Oakland County Extension Bulletin; March 1998