Fertilizer-free Lawn Care

The way you care for your lawn can impact local waterways. Learn simple steps to maintain your lawn and reduce pollution.

• Without a soil test, you might not know the right amount of fertilizer to use, leading to overuse and extra costs.
• Improperly applied fertilizer can easily wash into local waterways through storm drain systems and cause problems in local streams and ponds.
• Fertilizers cause algae to grow, which can deplete oxygen, hurt aquatic wildlife, and make boating, fishing, and swimming unpleasant.

Watch the video to learn how to test your soil.

Mulch as You Mow

Switching your mower to the mulch setting allows grass clippings to be cut into tiny pieces and returned to your lawn, where they naturally break down and release nutrients like nitrogen back into the soil. This acts as a free, natural fertilizer that helps grow thicker, healthier grass — without the need for excess chemical fertilizers. 

 How to set your lawn mower to mulch: 

1. Lift the rear discharge flap and remove the grass catcher bag. 
2. Insert the mulch plug in the rear of the lawn mower and lock it in. 
3. Start your lawn mower and start mulching. 

Mow it Long

Keeping your grass between 3 and 3.5 inches tall helps the plant to grow deeper roots, making it better able to find water and nutrients during hot, dry weather.

Additionally, taller grass shades the soil, which helps the ground stay cooler and retain moisture for longer periods of time. 

How to: 

1. Lift up the deck of the mower. 
2. Release the lever and slide it down. 
3. Lock the lever back in place. Repeat the steps for all corners of the mower, ensuring that they are all at the same level. 

Top Dress Your Lawn with Compost

Compost top dressing is an easy, natural way to improve the health of your lawn. 

Compost top dressing is when a thin layer of compost is spread over your lawn. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, compost feeds the soil with organic matter, beneficial microbes, and slow-release nutrients that help grass grow strong and healthy. 

Compost top dressing can help soil retain moisture during dry weather, support healthier, more resilient grass, and add beneficial microbes and organic matter into the soil. 

How to Top Dress Your Lawn 

1. Mow your lawn and remove excess thatch if needed. 
2. Spread compost evenly in a thin layer, about ¼ to ½ inches. 
3. Rake lightly so the compost settles into the grass. 
4. Water lightly to help the compost work into the soil. 

By replacing or reducing fertilizer use with compost, you can build healthier soil, grow a stronger lawn, and help keep excess nutrients out of local waterways. 

Add Clover to Your Lawn

If you want a greener lawn without all the extra work (and chemicals), plant clover.

Clover is a low-maintenance plant that stays green with less water than traditional turf and naturally adds nutrients to your soil by pulling nitrogen from the air. 

How to plant clover: 

1. Scatter clover seeds evenly across your lawn and gently press them into the soil 
2. Water daily until clover begins to bloom