How To: Fertilize Your Lawn Without Phosphorus

Lowes and Home Depot are going to pay up for violating New York state law about improperly selling lawn fertilizer with phosphorus in it.

Home Depot will pay $78,000 and Lowe’s will pay $52,000 in penalties for alleged violations of the state's law to stop excess phosphorus from running off New York's lawns into the water we drink, play and work on or in.

Since 2010, stores have been required to separate lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus from those that don't -- and to post signs notifying customers about the restrictions on phosphorus-based fertilizers.

What about that phosphorus? What's wrong with it and what can you do to get lush green grass without it?

Here's what's wrong with it: most lawns have plenty, naturally, and all the excess runs off into ponds, streams, lakes, the Hudson River, Long Island Sound....and what it does when it gets there is bad.

"As little as one pound of this pollutant has the capacity to grow 500 to 700 pounds of algae; algae impacts drinking water significantly, and depletes the oxygen supply in water, harming fish and other organisms," explains Riverkeeper.

And the thing is that lawns don't need extra phosphorus.

There's a lot of other ways you can get and keep a green lawn, according to Popular Mechanics.

• Check the weather, and fertilize only before the forecast calls for a steady light rain to prevent burning the grass.
• Avoid fertilizing if the forecast calls for a strong thunderstorm, since your fertilizer will just run off into a local lake, river or bay, polluting them and wasting your money.
• Leave the grass clippings on the lawn. Phosphorus is replenished naturally if clippings are left to decompose.
• Make a compost tea: Unlike commercial fertilizers (including organic fertilizers) compost tea can be applied at any time, and it really works.

More Tips and Resources for a Chemical Free Yard

Download this poster. (PDF, 957 KB)

Whether you maintain your yard yourself, use a landscaping and lawn care service, or are in the landscape and lawn care business, the links below will help you choose products and practices that are effective alternatives to toxic chemicals, say New York state environmental officials.

For Homeowners and Residents:

• Tips and additional information on pesticide alternatives
• Find more resources on natural land care or a lawn or landscape contractor that practices non-toxic lawn and land care
• Be Green Organic Yards NY (organic yard care)
• The Nutrient Runoff Law restricts and in some cases prohibits the use of phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizers.

For Lawn Care and Landscape Professionals:

• Information on becoming trained in non-toxic land care
• Non-toxic alternatives and practices for pest control
• Participate in Be Green Organic Yards NY
• The new Nutrient Runoff Law restricts and in some cases prohibits the use of phosphorus-contining lawn fertilizers.

Read more.