Fall Yard Tips

 

·        If leaves are less than 2 inches thick, mulch them by making several passes with a lawn mower. The shredded leaves will provide nutrients for your lawn. Another option is to compost leaves and grass clippings.

·        Rake or sweep tree leaves and grass clippings from streets, driveways, and sidewalks.

·        Never dispose leaves or grass clippings in wetlands, lakes, rivers, or streams.

·        Keep street clean of other materials containing phosphorus, like grass clippings and eroded soil.

·        If fertilizing is necessary, use a phosphorus free fertilizer. Minnesota’s Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Law requires phosphorus free fertilizer on established lawns unless a soil test shows the need for phosphorus.

·        Leave your grass clippings where they lie.
Mow regularly, clippings decompose quickly and release nutrients to the lawn.
One season of grass clippings = One fertilizer application

 

During the fall season there has been a noted increase in phosphorus runoff. Tree leaves are a source of phosphorus, the nutrient that accelerates algae growth in our lakes. Excessive algae growth looks bad, smells worse, and inhibits boating and swimming activities.