Download Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program

Responsible Lawn Care to Protect
Our Water Resources
What does the MWSP do?
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Provide information & assessment tools
that assist pesticide & fertilizer users in
identifying groundwater risks
coordinate resources to reduce those
risks
pollution prevention through education,
not regulation!
What is the focus of the
Program?
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Voluntary adoption of watershed best
management practices – stewardship
through education
– homeowners
– farmers
– turf
– students
Home*A*Syst
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site evaluation
hazardous
household products
household trash
yard & garden care
storm water
drinking water well
septic/wastewater
liquid fuels
Risks at the Home Site
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Yard & Garden
– fertilizer &/or pesticide entering a water
source
• application around a drinking water well
• direct application into surface water (lake, river,
stream, pond, etc.)
• indirect application into surface water through
runoff
– over-application
– spills on impervious surfaces
Lawns
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Reduce fertilizer
needs by:
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– sandy soils require
more water than
loamy soils
– Keeping the lawn
mower blade sharp
• have it sharpened
several times per
year to avoid stress
– Mowing no more
than 1/3 of the blade
off
• ideal length is 2 1/2 to
4 inches high to avoid
stress & disease
Water according to
soils
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Light, frequent
watering
– several applications
of 1/10 to 2/10
inches per week is
better than one
heavy application
– total should be 1 to 1
1/2 inches per week
Fertilizers
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Before applying,
GET SOIL TESTED!
Shoreline Owners??
Fertilizers should
only be used when
soil test results
indicate specific
nutrient needs
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Look for N,P,K
numbers on the
package
– tells the percent of
• nitrogen (N) - growth
of leaves & stems
• phosphorus (P) flowers, fruits, seeds,
roots
• potassium/potash (K)disease resistance
Which fertilizer is best for me?
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It depends!
– Apply according to
soil test results
– Don’t apply what
your soils don’t need!
– Apply according to
the label’s
instructions
• MORE IS NOT
BETTER!
– Apply according to
your site (shoreline?)
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Read the Label!
– How much to use
– How frequently to
apply
– What equipment to
use
– Nutrient &
micronutrient content
– Protective equipment
– Spreader settings
(sometimes)
Pesticides
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Before applying
chemical pesticides,
identify your pest!
– MSU Extension; IPM
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Applying a ‘general’
pesticide may
eliminate beneficial
insects as well as
your pest.
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Read the Label
– be sure that the label
states that it will
control your specific
pest
– if it doesn’t say it
controls your pest,
then it probably
won’t!
Alternatives to Chemical
Pesticides & Fertilizers
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Pesticides
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weed sticks
mole traps
sticky boards for flies
hand removal
caulking
tangle foot
resistant plants
predator pest
barriers
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Fertilizers
– organic
• manure
• bloodmeal
• lawn clippings
remember…
organic fertilizers
can still cause water
quality problems, so
they will not solve all
your problems!
Pesticide & Fertilizer Safety
protecting your water quality and you!
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Protecting Yourself
– minimum: long sleeve
shirt, long pants, socks,
shoes
– additional: gloves and
boots (not cloth or
leather), hat (with brim),
goggles, respirator
– caution, warning,
danger
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Protecting Your Site
– fill on an impervious
surface, then clean up
spills
– store fertilizers,
pesticides & chemicals
in secondary
containment
– have a spill kit
Your Lawn has the Ability to:
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Filter contaminants from rainwater and
the atmosphere
Absorb nutrients and prevent losses to
the groundwater
Reduce runoff and erosion
Absorb heat, light and noise
Provide an ideal surface for recreational
activities
How can we reduce home risks?
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Clean Sweep
Program
– FREE disposal of
pesticides
– by appointment only;
call 773-9631
– anyone in Michigan
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Household Hazardous
Waste Clean-Up Days
– FREE disposal of
household hazardous
waste
– by appointment only;
call local health
department for dates
– anyone in Arenac, Bay,
Midland, or Saginaw
counties
How can we reduce home risks?
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Complete a HOME*A*SYST
– FREE to anyone in Michigan
– assistance is available along with a wealth
of helpful information!
– Visit the new Michigan Water Stewardship
Program website featuring an online
interactive training program for home
owners and residents of Michigan!
– www.???.org