“SAVING” OUR ENVIRONMENT

TIPS FOR FERTILIZER & LAWN CARE

USE OF FERTILIZERS & CHEMICALS OUTSIDE

Rules of Thumb for Proper Fertilizer Use

Fertilizers provide nutrients necessary for plant health and growth, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These are what N, P, and K stand for on bags of fertilizer. Nitrogen (N) is needed for healthy green growth and regulation of other nutrients. Phosphorus (P) helps proper roots and seeds develop and resist disease. Potassium (K) is also important in root development and disease resistance. When properly applied, the nutrients in fertilizers are absorbed by plants and little of these nutrients enters ground or surface water resources.

Use the Right Fertilizer

Test your soil to find out what nutrients are needed. Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service or Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service office to get information on obtaining a soil test. Local fertilizer dealers can also be helpful.
A soil test will help you understand what your plants require.
Follow label directions.
Choose a fertilizer that has at least one-fourth of the nitrogen in a slow-release form, such as sulpher-coated urea.

Mow Your Lawn Frequently

Leave the grass clippings to decompose on the lawn. Annually, this will provide nutrients equivalent to one or two fertilizer applications. Set mower at 2 inches to reduce water use during hot weather.

Apply Fertilizer Properly

It is best to apply fertilizer when the soil is moist and then water lightly. This will help the fertilizer move into the root zone where it is available to the plants, rather than stay on top of the soil where it can be blown or washed away.
Watch the weather. Avoid applying it immediately before a heavy rain system is predicted to arrive. Too much rain (or sprinkler water) will take the nutrients away from the lawn's root zone.
Use the minimal amount of fertilizer necessary and apply it in small, frequent applications. An application of 2 pounds of fertilizer five times per year is better than 5 pounds of fertilizer twice a year.
Calibrate your fertilizer spreader to be sure you know exactly how much material is being discharged in a given space. Follow instructions accompanying your spreader.
When spreading fertilizer, cover ends of the lawn first, ten go back and forth across the rest of the lawn, using half of the recommended amount. Shut the spreader off before reaching the ends to avoik over-application. Apply the other half of the fertilizer going back and forth perpendicular to the first pattern.
Dispose of fertilizer bags or containers in a safe and state-approved manner.

Alternatives to Pesticides and Chemicals

When used incorrectly, pesticides can pollute water. They also kill beneficial as well as harmful insects. Natural alternatives prevent both of these events from occurring and save you money. Consider using natural alternatives for chemical pesticides: Non-detergent insecticidal soaps, garlic, hot pepper sprays, 1 teaspoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water, used dishwater, or forceful stream of water to dislodge insects.

Also consider using plants that naturally repel insects. These plants have their own chemical defense systems, and when planted among flowers and vegetables, they help keep unwanted insects away. The table below contains a partial list of nature's alternatives.

"Environmentally-friendly" Household Products You Can Use

You can reduce your use of hazardous household products by choosing safer, less-toxic products. Avoid household products with hazardous ingredients, or handle them with extreme care. Many toxic ingredients in paint thinners and drain cleaners, for example, can contaminate water sources.

Use only enough of the product to get the job done.

Never dump hazardous products down drains, the toilet, or near flowing water, ponds, or lakes.

Do not dump them on the ground.

Use natural and less-toxic household products whenever possible. See the table below.

Instead of:	Use
Air freshener	A small dish of vinegar or lemon juice set out in a warm area
All-purpose cleaner	One quart warm water, 1 teaspoon liquid soap, 1 teaspoon borax, and 1/4 cup vinegar
Bleach	Borax
Carpet cleaner	To neutralize odors, sprinkle the carpet with a mixture of one cup borax and 2 cups cornmeal or use baking soda. Let stand 1 hour before vacuuming.
Chlorine scouring powder	Baking soda
Detergent	Simple soap or phosphate-free detergent
Disinfectant	Ammonia
Drain cleaner	Plunger, followed by a handful of baking soda and a half cup of vinegar. Cover and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Pour in 2 quarts of boiling water, and the clod should disappear.
Floor cleaner	Mop floors with a mild soap solution or 1 cup vinegar mixed with 2 gallons of water. Linoleum floors can be polished by mopping with skim milk. (No, it doesn't smell.)
Furniture polish	On unfinished surfaces, use natural oil such as almond or olive oil. On finished surfaces, dust with a damp cloth and wipe dry.
Glass cleaner	Two tablespoons of vinegar to 1 quart of water.
Grease remover	Baking soda paste
Mildew stain remover	Vinegar solution
Mothballs	Cedar chips
Oven cleaner	Pour salt on fresh oven spills, and scrape the residue off when the oven cools. Ammonia can be applied t tough stains. A pumice stick, available at many hardware stores, will also work.
Pest control	Make chili powder packets to keep ants out of your kitchen.
Stain remover	Cornstarch paste
Surface cleaner	Use a vinegar and salt mixture
Tile cleaner	Scrub areas with baking soda and a toothbrush
Toilet bowl cleaner	Baking soda or borax
Window cleaner	Mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar or 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a quart of warm water.
NRCS Homepage http://www.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/hazmat.html August 8 1997

(For more information, go to the United States Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service webpage at www.nrcs.usda.gov