YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Best Management Practices for Healthy Lawns that Protect Long Island Sound FERTILIZER HEALTHY SOIL SOUND GARDENING Don't use it all if you don't need it. Consider adding white clover; ir's Healthy soil buffers grass from heat and drought stress. Feed the soil to sustain the plants: Add compost (organic material - between 3%-5% is ideal). The only way to know if you need fertilizer is to get a soil test: a good source of nitrogen for lawns. "Grass-Cycle"- leave your clippings on the lawn, 46% to 59% of applied nitrogen ends up in soiltest.uconn.edulsampli ng pho Apply only if needed, only what dippings, reducing the need for is needed, to where more added nitrogen by 25%-40%. it is needed, at reduced rates, never on hard surfaces or before a big rain Maintain pH levels between 6.0-6.5. Apply no more than twice a year. after spring green-up and no later than October 15th. The best one time application is mid-September through mid October. Source: New England Regional Nitrogen & Phosphorus Fertilizer and Associated Management Practice Recommendations for Lawns Based on Wator Quality Considerations. University of Connecticut 2017 Slow release fertilizers are best Apply one half to one third less fertilizer than reccommended: maximum 2ibs per 1000 for a (they feed the soil). Organic is preferable to too much fertilizer is too much fertilizer, whether it's organic or inorganic lawn that is 10 years or older; up to Ppetroleum-based 3lb/1000 t <10 yrs. old. inorganics. Gardening for a Cause - Long Island Sound Excessive nutrients and chemicals that result, in part, from residential landscaping practices, contribute runoff that is harmful to the nation's estuaries, including Long Island Sound. Adopting even a few of these suggestions can help protect our coastal waters. You CAN make a DIFFERENCE! Sea Grant longislandsoundstudy.net/ www.seagrant.uconn.edu/ PROBLEM PREVENTION Mow high (3") to keep grass roots strong. When starting or reseeding a lawn, introduce hearty varieties (such as fescues) that have lower nitrogen and water demands. Too much nitrogen increases desease problems, lowers tolerance to temperature variations, increases the need for moisure, and can contribute to thatch. WATER SMART To prevent leaching, don't overwater :1- 1.5" of water a week; early moning hours are best. Water deeply and infrequently, and water the lawn separately from other landscaping. Be certain that a pesticide is needed. Don't use weed and feed products - one size does not fit all. Area treatment vs. broadcast application is best. Use cultural practioes (puling. squishing) or altemative treatments (such as vinegar, or flame). Plant native plants that are adapted to local condtions. Pesticides kil the beneficial sol organisms that keep thatch in check. PESTICIDES How much lawn do you need? Reduce your active lawn area in favor of native plant borders and beds that attract wildife, help diminish polution and provide habitat for important insect polinators. Accept a lite damage: only 5% -25% of bugs are pests in the yard. ALTERNATIVES FOR MORE INFORMATION: Judy Preston. Long Island Sound Study Connecticut Outreach Coordinator. judy preston@uconn.edu, or visit Sound Gardening at LongislandSoundStudy.net or healthylawnshealthyriver.net Ad funded by Waterford-East Lyme Shelfish Commission, Niartic River Watershed Committee, Waterford Shelfish Commission, East Lyme Harbor Management/Shelfish Commission and Waterford Harbor Management Commission FERTILIZER HEALTHY SOIL YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Best Management Practices for Healthy Lawns that Protect Long Island Sound FERTILIZER HEALTHY SOIL SOUND GARDENING Don't use it all if you don't need it. Consider adding white clover; ir's Healthy soil buffers grass from heat and drought stress. Feed the soil to sustain the plants: Add compost (organic material - between 3%-5% is ideal). The only way to know if you need fertilizer is to get a soil test: a good source of nitrogen for lawns. "Grass-Cycle"- leave your clippings on the lawn, 46% to 59% of applied nitrogen ends up in soiltest.uconn.edulsampli ng pho Apply only if needed, only what dippings, reducing the need for is needed, to where more added nitrogen by 25%-40%. it is needed, at reduced rates, never on hard surfaces or before a big rain Maintain pH levels between 6.0-6.5. Apply no more than twice a year. after spring green-up and no later than October 15th. The best one time application is mid-September through mid October. Source: New England Regional Nitrogen & Phosphorus Fertilizer and Associated Management Practice Recommendations for Lawns Based on Wator Quality Considerations. University of Connecticut 2017 Slow release fertilizers are best Apply one half to one third less fertilizer than reccommended: maximum 2ibs per 1000 for a (they feed the soil). Organic is preferable to too much fertilizer is too much fertilizer, whether it's organic or inorganic lawn that is 10 years or older; up to Ppetroleum-based 3lb/1000 t <10 yrs. old. inorganics. Gardening for a Cause - Long Island Sound Excessive nutrients and chemicals that result, in part, from residential landscaping practices, contribute runoff that is harmful to the nation's estuaries, including Long Island Sound. Adopting even a few of these suggestions can help protect our coastal waters. You CAN make a DIFFERENCE! Sea Grant longislandsoundstudy.net/ www.seagrant.uconn.edu/ PROBLEM PREVENTION Mow high (3") to keep grass roots strong. When starting or reseeding a lawn, introduce hearty varieties (such as fescues) that have lower nitrogen and water demands. Too much nitrogen increases desease problems, lowers tolerance to temperature variations, increases the need for moisure, and can contribute to thatch. WATER SMART To prevent leaching, don't overwater :1- 1.5" of water a week; early moning hours are best. Water deeply and infrequently, and water the lawn separately from other landscaping. Be certain that a pesticide is needed. Don't use weed and feed products - one size does not fit all. Area treatment vs. broadcast application is best. Use cultural practioes (puling. squishing) or altemative treatments (such as vinegar, or flame). Plant native plants that are adapted to local condtions. Pesticides kil the beneficial sol organisms that keep thatch in check. PESTICIDES How much lawn do you need? Reduce your active lawn area in favor of native plant borders and beds that attract wildife, help diminish polution and provide habitat for important insect polinators. Accept a lite damage: only 5% -25% of bugs are pests in the yard. ALTERNATIVES FOR MORE INFORMATION: Judy Preston. Long Island Sound Study Connecticut Outreach Coordinator. judy preston@uconn.edu, or visit Sound Gardening at LongislandSoundStudy.net or healthylawnshealthyriver.net Ad funded by Waterford-East Lyme Shelfish Commission, Niartic River Watershed Committee, Waterford Shelfish Commission, East Lyme Harbor Management/Shelfish Commission and Waterford Harbor Management Commission FERTILIZER HEALTHY SOIL