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Bay grasses on the Eastern shore of Maryland.
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Many Baltimoreans have seen the Chesapeake Club television ads where a smiling man implores us not to use chemical fertilizer on our lawns during the spring. It harms life in the Chesapeake Bay and besides; blue crabs are better off perishing in a tub of melted butter. Most of us don’t live right on the water, so how does what we do affect life in the bay? Well, many of the chemical fertilizers and pesticides that people use on their lawns wash off into storm drains and then end up in the bay. This promotes excessive algae growth, among other problems.
Heavy rains like what we’ve had this season will wash the fertilizer off the lawn and into the storm drains (the ones marked “Chesapeake Bay Drainage”). These fertilizers promote the growth of algae that will harm the blue crab population, as well as fish. The algae grows until all sunlight is blocked off for underwater grasses that fish eat. This also leads to oxygen being cut off so none can penetrate the water below. Some algae prevents shellfish from feeding properly because the creatures will have trouble filtering their food. The Chesapeake Bay Program advises gardeners to “grasscycle”, which is to leave the grass clippings on your lawn after cutting them. Set your mower blades at the 3” height for the best effect. Many lawn experts recommend this as a way to keep the lawn from drying out, and it also does not cost as much as an expensive bag of fertilizer. Plus, you won’t have to rake or do the work of disposing the clippings. Too much fertilizer is also just wasting money, so have the lawn soil tested to see how much you really need. Many common types of grass only need a little bit of fertilizer in the fall. Don’t let fertilizer fall on hard surfaces like brick or sidewalk because it will wash away with the first rain.
Trees and other landscaping elements can help prevent soil erosion and reduce run off. Plus, these do not require the frequent mowing that a lawn does. If expenses are a problem and you can’t cover bare areas with landscaping plants, at least cover the area with mulch. Not only does it look better, but it will help prevent runoff.
Chemical pesticides also harm creatures in the bay. Making your own pesticides will not only help the bay but also they will also save you money. They are safe around children and pets because they contain organic ingredients like cooking oil, dish soap and garlic. If you feel you must buy commercial products, there are some that have been approved for organic gardening because they break down easier. Laura Pickett Pottorff, a horticulturist with the Colorado State Cooperative Extension, wrote a useful guide to these pesticides. With little efforts like these, you can help keep harmful substances out of the bay.
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