Planning to fertilize your yard? Excessive fertilizers on yards can directly enter our freshwater systems during high rainfall. This can harm our rivers and lakes, causing algae blooms and oxygen depletion for fish. Opt for a greener solution like mulching your leaves instead. To learn more about fertilizers and yard care visit www.respectourwaters.org/yard-mgmt

As the weather warms up and we start working on our yards, it's important to think about how we use fertilizer. Using too much fertilizer can harm lakes and rivers nearby, especially during a heavy rainfall. All those extra nutrients from the fertilizer can wash into the water and make it hard for plants and animals to survive.

To help keep our water safe, try using things like mulched leaves in your garden. Mulch naturally enriches soil and minimizes the need for chemical inputs, like fertilizers. If you need fertilizer make sure you apply it responsibility by testing your soil to see what it needs, making sure rain is not on the forecast, and by following the instructions of how much to apply. If you want to learn more about taking care of your yard, check out Yard Management Page — Respect Our Waters to learn more!