You might ask how what we do on our property and to our lawns and gardens, could have a cause for concern. You must realize that the effects of those activities very clearly impact our water quality. Those materials that are carried off our property may include certain kinds of fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, petroleum-based products, atmospheric deposition, the residue of fossil fuel emissions, just to name a few of the contaminates. We are now seeing the effects of those activities showing up in tests of water samples across the country!
Most homeowners use numerous conveniently packaged fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. We all, in some form use these products because we like having an attractive lawn, vigorously growing shrubs, trees, flowers, and a productive garden, which are the pride and joy of any homeowner. Excessive or improper use of these products could lead to them ending up in our lakes, rivers, streams, and ground water because they are carried off with ground sediments. A good share of these products are water-soluble and will leach directly into sandier soils and move into ground and surface water.
Strategies for reducing or preventing water contamination from those various lawn and garden care products are based on common sense. We need to first determine whether these activities cause those lawn and garden care products we are using to move and concentrate in an environmentally unacceptable manner.
Also, by creating land-disturbing activities, having uncovered soil surfaces, and the absence of water-retention structures may contribute to excessive amounts of those lawn and garden care products to eventually migrate into ground and surface water.
To reduce the risk of surface and ground water contamination when using these lawn and garden care products, follow exact instructions using only very minimal amounts, or perhaps consider using an organic lawn and garden care plan which uses only natural products and no synthetic chemicals.
Understanding the many possible organic lawn and garden care plans and finding a workable one is unfortunately made difficult by a number of obstacles. There is the lack of standards for organic use products in non-food crop applications which include lawns, shrubs, trees, annual and perennial flowering plant material. Also, the relative scarcity, high pricing, and conflicting evidence as to how effective those products are, can prevent homeowners from using them.
Making the choice to have a lawn and garden that does not depend on synthetic chemicals may be more environmentally friendly, but not necessarily fit everyone’s lifestyle and budget. You need to do your homework and start with well suited, healthy plant material, plant it in healthy soil, maintain its health by proper applications of the correct organic products, and make sure the site is watered properly. An effort must always be made not to overwater, because that will then move those products into our ground and surface water.
These suggestions, when properly used, whether organic or chemical lawn and garden care products, are key steps to success in a creating better practices toward a healthier lawn and garden, and ultimately healthy ground and surface water quality.
Celebrate Earth Day this year by striving towards making your lawns and gardens and have a minimal negative impact on our precious water quality!
Perry, his wife Connie and their husky/lab Jasmine have a rural home in the Town of Stettin, in Marathon County.
He retired after 36 years as a Civil Engineering Technician, and semi-retired after 6 years as owner of his landscaping business, Yard Shine, LLC.
His time is occupied by family, friends, gardening, fishing, hunting, volunteering, hiking, biking, reading, vacationing, and loves to be outdoors enjoying nature!
Perry, his wife Connie and their husky/lab Jasmine have a rural home in the Town of Stettin, in Marathon County.
He retired after 36 years as a Civil Engineering Technician, and semi-retired after 6 years as owner of his landscaping business, Yard Shine, LLC.
His time is occupied by family, friends, gardening, fishing, hunting, volunteering, hiking, biking, reading, vacationing, and loves to be outdoors enjoying nature!
Perry, his wife Connie and their husky/lab Jasmine have a rural home in the Town of Stettin, in Marathon County.
He retired after 36 years as a Civil Engineering Technician, and semi-retired after 6 years as owner of his landscaping business, Yard Shine, LLC.
His time is occupied by family, friends, gardening, fishing, hunting, volunteering, hiking, biking, reading, vacationing, and loves to be outdoors enjoying nature!
Most homeowners use numerous conveniently packaged fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. We all, in some form use these products because we like having an attractive lawn, vigorously growing shrubs, trees, flowers, and a productive garden, which are the pride and joy of any homeowner. Excessive or improper use of these products could lead to them ending up in our lakes, rivers, streams, and ground water because they are carried off with ground sediments. A good share of these products are water-soluble and will leach directly into sandier soils and move into ground and surface water.
Strategies for reducing or preventing water contamination from those various lawn and garden care products are based on common sense. We need to first determine whether these activities cause those lawn and garden care products we are using to move and concentrate in an environmentally unacceptable manner.
Also, by creating land-disturbing activities, having uncovered soil surfaces, and the absence of water-retention structures may contribute to excessive amounts of those lawn and garden care products to eventually migrate into ground and surface water.
To reduce the risk of surface and ground water contamination when using these lawn and garden care products, follow exact instructions using only very minimal amounts, or perhaps consider using an organic lawn and garden care plan which uses only natural products and no synthetic chemicals.
Understanding the many possible organic lawn and garden care plans and finding a workable one is unfortunately made difficult by a number of obstacles. There is the lack of standards for organic use products in non-food crop applications which include lawns, shrubs, trees, annual and perennial flowering plant material. Also, the relative scarcity, high pricing, and conflicting evidence as to how effective those products are, can prevent homeowners from using them.
Making the choice to have a lawn and garden that does not depend on synthetic chemicals may be more environmentally friendly, but not necessarily fit everyone’s lifestyle and budget. You need to do your homework and start with well suited, healthy plant material, plant it in healthy soil, maintain its health by proper applications of the correct organic products, and make sure the site is watered properly. An effort must always be made not to overwater, because that will then move those products into our ground and surface water.
These suggestions, when properly used, whether organic or chemical lawn and garden care products, are key steps to success in a creating better practices toward a healthier lawn and garden, and ultimately healthy ground and surface water quality.
Celebrate Earth Day this year by striving towards making your lawns and gardens and have a minimal negative impact on our precious water quality!
Perry, his wife Connie and their husky/lab Jasmine have a rural home in the Town of Stettin, in Marathon County.
He retired after 36 years as a Civil Engineering Technician, and semi-retired after 6 years as owner of his landscaping business, Yard Shine, LLC.
His time is occupied by family, friends, gardening, fishing, hunting, volunteering, hiking, biking, reading, vacationing, and loves to be outdoors enjoying nature!
Perry, his wife Connie and their husky/lab Jasmine have a rural home in the Town of Stettin, in Marathon County.
He retired after 36 years as a Civil Engineering Technician, and semi-retired after 6 years as owner of his landscaping business, Yard Shine, LLC.
His time is occupied by family, friends, gardening, fishing, hunting, volunteering, hiking, biking, reading, vacationing, and loves to be outdoors enjoying nature!
Perry, his wife Connie and their husky/lab Jasmine have a rural home in the Town of Stettin, in Marathon County.
He retired after 36 years as a Civil Engineering Technician, and semi-retired after 6 years as owner of his landscaping business, Yard Shine, LLC.
His time is occupied by family, friends, gardening, fishing, hunting, volunteering, hiking, biking, reading, vacationing, and loves to be outdoors enjoying nature!
