Guide to Lake Friendly Lawn Care and Grounds Maintenance

8/9/2019 Guide to Lake Friendly Lawn Care and Grounds Maintenance

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EnglesbyBrook

Watershed

Guide to lake-friendly lawn care and

grounds keeping





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What is a Watershed?A watershed is thesurrounding land area that drainsinto a lake, stream, brook or river. Everyone lives in awatershed even if the land is not located next to astream or body of water.

WatershedProtection

The Englesby BrookWatershed

The Englesby BrookWatershed encompassesapproximately one squaremile of land in Burlingtonand South Burlington,

Vermont. The brook drains 600 acres, including thecommercial areas of Pine Street, Flynn Avenue andShelburne Road. Englesby Brook travels from SouthProspect Street to Oakledge Park and has an outlet at

Blanchard Beach on Lake Champlain. Englesby Brook isan impaired stream affected by urban stormwater.

The SignificanceLake Champlain is the mainsource of drinking waterfor the Burlington area aswell as an importantrecreational, commercial,

and tourism resource. Atthe brook’s outlet, Blanchard Beach has beenpermanently closed since 1991 due to pollutantsentering Lake Champlain from Englesby Brook.



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Common sources of non-point pollution include:• improper storage and disposal of household

cleaners, solvents, and materials• improper cleanup and disposal of leaks, spills,

and automotive fluids

• erosion of topsoil, and runoff of fertilizers,pesticides, plant debris, and animal waste

Non-PointPollution

EutrophicationEutrophication occurs when excess nutrients andpollutants build up in lakes and streams. Runoff offertilizers, top soil, lawn clippings, leaves and trimmingsfrom lawns and landscaped areas can result in excessnutrients entering Lake Champlain.

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus can cause increasedalgal and aquatic plant growth. Algal blooms that coverthe surface of the lake block sunlight from reachingbottom plants and decrease amounts of oxygen in thewater. This can lead to the death of many aquatic lifeforms.More than 80% of the phosphorus in Lake Champlaincomes from non-point sources.Excess nutrientsaffect the biology,aesthetics, andrecreational qualities of Lake Champlain.

Non-point source pollution

comes from land use in theEnglesby Brook Watershed.



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Lawns and Gardens

Lawns and gardens are a significant source of non-pointpollution in Lake Champlain. Lawn care practices thatcause pollution include over-fertilization, unnecessarypesticide applications, over-watering, and direct disposalof lawn clippings, leaves, and trimmings into streams orthe street. Erosion and runoff of fertilizer, pesticides,and top soil from landscaped areas and gardens affectsthe water quality in Englesby Brook and Lake Champlain.

By adopting low input lawn care techniques andmaintenance practices, businesses and propertymanagers can reduce nutrient inputs into LakeChamplain, save money and labor, and create cleanerwater and a healthier environment for everyone.

The Solution



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Grass Types and Selection

Choosing the proper grass variety is the first stepin creating and maintaining a healthy vigorous lawn.

Considerations when

choosing grass typesinclude:• available shade or sun• drainage• available nutrients• climate• desired maintenance level• proximity to a walkway

or drive that gets saltedin the winter

• amount of traffic

Cool season grass species that fit Vermont’s coolclimate include:

• Fescues•

Bluegrasses• Ryegrasses• Bent grasses

Low Input Lawn Care



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Lawn

Care Effective Mowing

Tips for proper mowing• Mow no shorter than 2½ to 3½ inches high.• Leave grass ½ inch higher in shaded areas.• Never remove more than 1/3 height of the grass

in a single mowing.• Grass may be mowed up to1 inch shorter in early springand early fall to stimulateroot growth.• Mow grass regularly.• Sharpen mower bladesevery 7-8 hours of mowing.

Proper mowing is essentialfor growing a healthy,vigorous lawn. The followingpractices allow grass to growa deeper, more extensive

root system, aid in creating greater resilience todisease, and allow the grass to shade out and outcompete low growing weeds such as crabgrass.

Problems with mowing too short include: • increased incidence of weeds, drought and sunscald• prevention of the development of deep roots

• increased development of thatch

MOWING HEIGHTS FORSPECIFIC GRASS TYPES

Grass Height

Tall fescues 2.5 - 3 in

Perennialryegrass 2-3 in

Fine fescues 2-3 in

KentuckyBluegrass 2.5 in



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• Established grass generally needs 3/4 inch to 1inch of water each week depending on the weather.• It is best to water grass by 10 a.m. to allow timefor the grass blades to dry before evening. Thispractice saves water and reduces plant disease.• Avoid watering lightly unless you are keeping anewly seeded area moist for germination. Lightwatering inhibits deep root growth and enhances thepresence of grubs.• Reduce evaporation around plantsand shrubs by applying mulch.

When watering a lawn or gardenconsider the rate, amount, and besttime of day for watering.

Watering Tips

Watering Your Lawn

Too much or too little water can cause undue stresson grass and garden plants.• Too much water can result in stressed roots and soil

organisms due to limited oxygen.• Too little water also causes stress to plant roots and

soil organisms and may cause the grass to becomedormant.

LawnCare



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Lawn Care

Soil Building

Soil can be thought of as a living organism thatmust be fed and cared for. Healthy soil containsmany beneficial microorganisms that aid inenhancing plant growth. Having healthy soil isessential for growing healthy plants.

Benefits of Soil Microorganisms• Microorganisms decompose soil organic matter,

making nutrients more plant accessible.• Microorganisms enhance nitrogen levels by “fixing”

atmospheric nitrogen into “plant friendly” forms.• Microorganisms generate carbon dioxide for

enhanced plant growth.

• Microorganisms dissolve mineral nutrients fromrocks and stones.• Microorganisms decompose thatch and produce

organic matter or humus in the soil.• Microorganisms improve soil aeration and help

control insects and diseases.

A primary benefit of organic fertilization is

that it “feeds the soil” through the use of rawmaterials that stimulate and feed the manybeneficial microorganisms in the soil.



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Controlling Weeds

Controlling weeds is a common challenge inmaintaining any landscaped area. Proper mowing,watering and a diverse mix of turf grasses are thefirst steps in controlling weed populations in lawns.

Using corn gluten to inhibit weeds• Corn gluten is a natural pre-emergent herbicide.•

Corn gluten breaks down into compounds that inhibitroot development on germinating seeds of crabgrass,dandelion and other common weeds.

• When buying grass seed beware of “fillers” thatcan be direct sources of weed seeds in the lawn.

• A healthy lawn will outcompete weeds.• Some grass speciescontain natural com-pounds that inhibit thegrowth of some weeds. Agood example is peren-nial ryegrass.

Weeding tips

LawnCare



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Lawn

Care Managing Thatch

What is thatch?Thatch is a straw-like layerbetween the grass and thesoil that is an indicator ofunhealthy growingconditions in a lawn.

What are the effects of excess thatch?• causes drought stress in lawns• harbors insects and disease• increases winter kill• allows for poor water infiltration and poor nutrient

retention•

may cause the grass to become soft and spongyWhat causes thatch?Thatch may result from over watering, overfertilization, or mowing too close.

The solutionDe-thatch lawns byraking then sprinklingwith compost.

Lawns should also beaerated, ideally in thespring or fall.

Grass Plants

Thatch

Plant Roots



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Grub Control

• Grubs are insect larvae that live inthe soil and feed on roots.

• Inspect for grubs between Augustand September when the newgenerations hatch.

• Cut and carefully lift up a 12 inch square block of sod.• Count the number of grubs present under the sod.• Repeat this test several times randomly across the

lawn to get an average count.• Consider treatment when there are 8-10 or more

grubs per square foot.• Send pest samples to UVM Master Gardeners for

identification.

1. Treat in the fall or not at all.2. Planting grub resistant grass species, such as tall

fescues, in heavily infested areas lessens grubpopulations.

3. It’s important to identify the species of grub so theproper control is applied. Consult the UVM MasterGardener program for recommended controls.

4. Beneficial nematodes, available in garden centers orby mail order, have proven to be an effective, non-toxic alternative to grub control.

Testing for Grubs

Grub Control

LawnCare



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1. Leave a thin layer of fine grass clippings eachtime the lawn is mowed. This practice canreplenish almost half of the required nutrients.

2. Apply a thin layer of compost (up to 1/2 inch) toenhance nutrient supply, increase aeration andwater holding capacity, and promote thedevelopment of beneficial soil organisms.

3. Use organic or slow release fertilizers that feedthe soil over time, which can prevent nutrientleaching and runoff and loss of fertilizer.

4. Soils in the northeastern U.S. tend to be acidic,which can restrict the availability of nutrientsto growing plants. Use a pH test to determinesoil acidity. Apply lime to lawns and landscaped

areas if needed to raise the soil pH.5. Fertilizer and

lime applicationsare mosteffective in thefall. To preventrunoff, avoidapplying fertilizeror lime on frozenground or whenheavy rains arepredicted.

Fertilizing the SoilLawn Care Enhancing Soil Nutrients



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LawnCare

One of the most common mistakes made byhomeowners and businesses is to routinely applychemical fertilizers to their lawns. Using chemicalfertilizers without considering alternatives createsunnecessary costs in terms of materials and labor.Applications of fertilizers can also result in theneed for extra mowing and irrigation of lawns.

• increases occurrence of thatch.• lowers grass tolerance to heat stress• can cause fertilizer burn• More than half of the soluble nitrogen applied to

lawns in the spring is lost to leaching. Too muchfertilizer applied too often reduces the naturalefficiency of the lawn, making the grass weak andless resistant to disease.

• Over-fertilizing can kill many beneficial organismsliving in the soil. Too much fertilizer can decreasethe soil pH, which in turn reduces the nutrientsavailable for growing plants.

• If excess fertilizer stays at the soil surface, it canlimit the growth of deep roots and weaken the plants’ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

Using Fertilizers

Problems with Over- fertilizing



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• Shade significantly reduces the amount of lightavailable to grass. This reduces the rate ofphotosynthesis and thereby reduces growth.

• Shade causes the grass tostay wet longer, and the air in

shaded areas is oftenstagnant. This can encouragethe development of diseasesespecially powdery mildew.

Shaded Lawns Lawn Care

The Shade Challenge

Diseased Leaf

• Choose disease resistant grass varieties.• Choose shade tolerant grass varieties.• Increase air flow through the area by trimming

and pruning trees, bushes and shrubs.• Reduce shade from trees by removing lower

branches and thinning upper branches.• Mow grass in shadedareas ½ inch to 1 inch higherthan grass in sunny areas.• Water shade grassbefore 2:00 p.m. to allowthe water time to evaporatebefore sundown.

The Solution



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WHAT?Integrated pestmanagement, or IPM, isa process that uses

biological, cultural andchemical practices tomanage pest problemsin a way that minimizesrisk to human health,society and the environment.

WHY?

Through IPM, the use of chemical pesticides is greatlyreduced. IPM views the use of pesticides as a lastresort, taking care to adopt cultural and biologicalcontrols first.When pesticide use on lawns, flower beds, and gardensis reduced, the number of beneficial organisms in thesoil and environment increases.Improved soil, plant, and lawn health decreases the costof pest control and reduces the amount of runoff ofpesticides and contaminated top soil into Lake Cham-plain. Clean lakes and waterways are the end result oflake friendly lawn and garden maintenance practices.

Integrated Pest Management

IPM



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IPM

CULTURAL CONTROL…. .

involves selecting resistantplant varieties, growing plantsin the proper conditions, andmaintaining plants throughproper irrigation, fertilization,and pruning practices. Ahealthy plant is more resistantto insect and disease attack inmuch the same way that ahealthy person is moreresistant to sickness.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL….

is the use of naturally occuringpredators, parasites andpathogens to manage pests. InIPM, for example, lady beetlesare used to control aphidpopulations.

HOW?IPM relies onplanning andtiming to con-trol pests withthe leastamount ofchemicals.

CHEMICAL CONTROL…

is the use ofcommercially availablepesticides to protectplant material.



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1 . Get to know your pests. • Every one to two weeks,

take a walk around yourlawn or landscape. This willhelp identify pestproblems before they get

out of control.• Early identification can eliminate the costs and

hazards of using chemical pesticides.• Proper identification will determine if the pest is a

beneficial insect or an undesirable insect, whatbiological controls (predators of pests) may beeffectively used, and at what point in the life cycleof the insect the proper control is most effective.

2. Keep plants healthy.• Stressed plants are more succeptible to pest and

disease damage. Proper watering, fertilization, soilpreparation, mowing and pruning are essential foroptimal plant health.

• Get a soil test every 2-3 years. Remove weeds andother plant debris to reduce the incidence andspread of disease.

• Use exclusion barriers such as netting, tree trunkguards, traps and fences to help eliminate largeranimal problems.

• Purchase disease resistant plant varieties.

Pest Management Tips

IPM





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Beneficial Nematodes?Recent studies have shown some species ofnematodes to be effective against turf pests,especially grubs.

A complete list ofnematodes and theirpest prey can befound in AppendixVI.

Nematodes…are microscopic worms living inthe soil. There are both good

and bad nematodes.

Beneficial organisms…are the predators, para-sites, and pathogens thatoccur naturally in the land-scape, helping control un-wanted pest populations.

Hand Picking…

is an effective method for removingharmful insects from the landscape.Collected bugs can be placed in a jar

containing soapy water or a cotton ballsoaked in nail polish remover and the

discarded.

IPM



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5. Chemical control as a last resort • Apply pesticides directly on target to

minimize drift and runoff.• Avoid applying pesticides before rain or during

windy conditions.• Don’t apply pesticides within

five feet of paved surfacesor near standing or runningwater.

• Sweep paved areas afterapplication and safelydispose of plant debris.

• Use the least number ofpesticide applications possible.

• Use insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils ratherthan chemical pesticides whenever possible.

• Use granular

formulations vs.foliar sprays.

• Treat only infestedplants, using thelowest applicationrate possible.

• When cleaningequipment, keep therinse water on thelawn, not on pavedsurfaces or downstorm drains.

Alternatives

Soft bodied pestssuch as snails and

slugs can becontrolled usingdiatomaceous

earth.

BeneficialOrganisms. . .

BatsBirds

Green LacewingsLadybugs

Praying MantisGround beetles

Trichogramma waspsSpiders

IPM



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• Know how much fertilizer to apply by having a soiltest done. UVM Master Gardeners provide freeassistance to help in understanding the results.

• Never apply fertilizers on frozen or bare ground.• Water fertilizer in if applying during a dry period.• Use organic or other slow release fertilizers.• Add compost to

flower beds andpotting mix.

• Never washfertilizer equipmentor spills into the

street or into stormdrains.

Fertilizer Tips

N:P:K

Nitrogen promotes leaf growth

Phosphorus promotes rootdevelopment and stress tolerance

Potassium enhances diseaseresistance, stem strength, and

flowering

Lake-friendly Fertilizing

• Organic fertilizers have a longer decompositionperiod allowing for a slower, steadier release ofnutrients.

• As organic fertilizers break down, roots are fed,

allowing plants to build up a reserve of nutrientsthat aid plants when under stress.

• Compost increases organic matter in the soil andencourages the growth of beneficial organisms.

Benefits of Organics





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Appendix IOrganic Fertilizers

Fertilizer N:P:K Release Rate

Alfalfa Meal 2.5 0.5 2.0 Slow

Blood Meal 12.5 1.5 0.6 Medium-Fast

Bone Meal 4.0 21.0 0.2 Slow

Crab Meal 10.0 0.3 0.1 Slow

Fish Meal 15.0 5.0 0.0 Slow

Greensand 0.0 1.5 5.0 Very Slow

Bat Guano 5.5 8.6 1.5 Medium

Kelp Meal 1.0 0.5 0.8 Medium

Dried Manure Varies with source Medium

Rock Phosphate 0.0 18.0 0.0 Very Slow

Wood Ash 0.0 1.5 5.0 Fast

Worm Castings 1.5 2.5 1.3 Medium



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Appendix IIAlternatives to Chemicals

Purpose Less- Toxic AlternativeAnts Red chili powder at point of entry

Bleach BoraxCar BatteryCorrosion Baking soda and water

Decal remover Soak in white vinegar

Grease cutters1/2 cup baking soda + usual amount of dish

detergent

Drain cleanerPlunger followed by 1/2 cup baking soda+1/2

cup vinegar+2 quarts boiling water

Fertilizer Compost and Vermicompost (worm castings)

Grease removal Borax and damp clothPaint/Greasehand cleaner Baby oil followed by soap

Linoleum floorcleaner 1 cup white vinegar + 2 gallons of water

Mildew remover Equal parts vinegar and saltMosquitorepellant Citronella candles and oil

Moth repellant Cedar chips in cloth bag

Oil stainremover

White chalk rubbed into stain beforewashing

Paint brushsoftener Hot vinegar

Roach repellant Chopped bay leaves and cucumber skins

Rust remover Lemon juice + salt+ sunlight



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Why get a soil test?

Getting a soil test is key to landscape maintenance.• A soil test will determine pH and nutrient needs and

prevent over application of fertilizers.

• A soil test will identify the nutrients already presentin your soil.

• Soil testing can save money on fertilizer costs andreduce the amount of nutrient runoff into localwaterways.

How to take a soil sample? • Take several soil samples from the top 5-6 inches of

soil in different places along the landscape. Use aclean tool to take samples.

•

Mix the samples together in a clean container. • Follow directions for sampling on the soil test

application.

Where?Soil test kits can be ordered from

UVM Master Gardeners

655 Spear StreetBurlington, Vermont 054051-800-639-2230

Getting a Soil Test Appendix III



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Annual ryegrass• bunch forming. • coarse texture when thinly seeded

• fine texture when thickly seeded

• Annual ryegrass germinates quickly but dies off inthe winter causing gaps in the spring lawn.

Orchard grass and Timothy• coarse bunch grass

• hard to eliminate once established

Annual bluegrass• unattractive•

annual that dies off in the winter• bunch grass

Grass Species to Avoid Appendix IV





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NEMATODE TARGET PEST

Steinernema carpocapsae

Annual bluegrass weevil

Bluegrass billbug

Hunting billbugBlack cutworm

Dog/cat flea larvae

European crane fly

Armyworms

Sod webworms

Steinernuma riobravae Tawny mole cricket

Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Black turf grass ataenius

European chafer

Green June beetle

Japanese beetle

May/June beetle

Northern masked chafer

Steinernuma scapterisci

Southern mole cricket

Nematode Controlfor Lawns

Appendix VI



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Appendix VII

City of Burlington ordinance: • No pesticide or herbicide or products containing

them may be applied withing 500 feet of LakeChamplain or its tributaries (e.g. Englesby Brook).

• Special permission must be obtained from theBurlington Board of Health to apply pesticides in

these areas.• No pesticides or herbicides may be applied on

grounds of public or private childcare centers, daycare homes, preschools, or K-12 schools without priorapproval.

Pesticide Ordinances

With every use of pesticidesthere is some degree of risk.Many commonly used pesticidescontain dioxin and dioxin- like

chemicals that act like hormonesin the body. These dioxins cancause disruptions in both humanand animal systems, especially in

children, even when used insmall amounts.



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Appendix VIII

• UVM Master GardenerHelp Line:1-800-639-2230

• Lake Champlain SeaGrant Programwww.uvm.edu/seagrant

• Friends of Burlington Gardenswww.burlingtongardens.org

Resources

• Lake Friendly Gardening Series. Vermont and New YorkMaster Gardeners. February 2001. www.uvm.edu/

extension.• Low P, No P and “Lake Friendly” Fertilization Programs for

Lawns. Sid Bosworth, UVM Extension. May 2004.• Urban Pesticides: From the Lawn to the Stream.

Watershed Protection Techniques. 2 (1):247-253.• Nutrient Movement from Lawn to Stream. Watershed

Protection Techniques. 2(!) 239-246.• Insect Parasitic Nematodes for Turf grass. Dr. Parwinder

Grewal, Ohio State University. 2002.• Clean Waters: Starting in Your Home and Yard Series.

Connecticut Sea Grant Extension Program. December1999– June 2000.

• Organic Lawn Care. Paul Sachs. Chelsea Press. Vermont.

References



Published September 2004 by:

Lake Champlain Sea Grant

University o f Vermont Extension

317 Aiken Center

University of Vermont

Burlington, VT 05405-0088

(802) 656-0682

Project Superv isor:

Jurij Homziak, Executive Director

Lake Champlain Sea Grant

ENGLESBY BROOK WATERSHED

Guide to lake-friendly lawn care and grounds keeping

Research, Copy, and Design:Daisy Williams, Research Coordinator

Friends of Burlington Gardens

Project Advisor and Editor:

Jim Flint, Executive Director

Friends of Burlington Gardens

This work was sponsored in part by a grant from the Cooperative State Research,Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Inte-

grated Water Quality Program under award number USDA 00-51130-9775 (CFDA10.303) and by the National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanic and Atmos-pheric Administration, US Department of Commerce, to Lake Champlain Sea Grantunder grant number NA16RG2206.

The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflectthe views of the sponsors.

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Guide to Lake Friendly Lawn Care and Grounds Maintenance