Please keep fertilizer off sidewalks, driveways and all other hard surfaces to prevent runoff from entering nearby water bodies — runoff causes increased algae blooms. Minnesota law prohibits the release of fertilizer on hard surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways or the street.
Visit the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District website to learn more about what you can do to keep fertilizer from reaching ponds and lakes.
Guidelines to follow
Don't fertilize unnecessarily
Have your soil tested once every five years to determine whether you need to fertilize. The University of Minnesota sells soil sample test kits for $15. For more information, call 612.374.8400. The Minnesota Extension Service recommends fertilizing lawns no more than three times a year: mid-May, early September and mid-October.
Use weed killers and pesticides sparingly
Apply them only to the trouble spot, not the entire lawn.
Choose a lawn fertilizer without phosphorous
To protect water quality, state law prohibits the use of phosphorus fertilizers on lawns and turf in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Most soil in St. Louis Park has ample amounts of phosphorus and does not need additional amounts. However, there are exceptions to the law. Phosphorus-containing fertilizer can be applied to residential lawns if:
- A soil test indicates insufficient phosphorus.
- This is the first growing season for new seed or sod.
Make sure the middle number on the fertilizer package (which indicates the amount of phosphorus) is zero. Commercial lawn care services will also provide fertilizers without phosphorus upon request.
Aerate your lawn
Through aeration, you reduce the amount of fertilizer and pesticide you need to use. Aeration removes plugs of grass, loosens the soil and promotes healthy root development. Aerated lawns absorb water more quickly and minimize runoff.