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HEALTHY LAWNS

HEALTHY LAKE 

 Honeoye Valley Association

Protect the water quality of Honeoye Lake and your property values by practicing healthy lawn care. A healthy lawn can improve water quality by filtering, purifying and reducing stormwater runoff.  

Misuse or overuse of fertilizers and pesticides can harm Honeoye Lake and other water resources as chemicals are carried into surface water and groundwater.  Unhealthy conditions for your family and pets and more weeds in the lake may be the result. 

Clean up after pets.  Animal feces contain nutrients and bacteria and parasites that can contaminate the lake.  Discard pet waste in your garbage collection. 

Manage your own stormwater. Encourage infiltration of runoff water from your roof and driveway.  Direct down spouts to a rain garden or infiltration point where vegetation will filter nutrients from the water. 

Drainage from your driveway or landscaping projects can carry pollutants to the lake.  Make sure there’s a buffer or erosion control practice in place to eliminate adverse impacts. 

Test Before You Treat

      A soil test can determine whether fertilizer is needed.  Cornell University surveys indicate that only 1 in 10 lawns actually needs fertilizing. 

      If fertilizer is necessary, apply in late May to early June or late August to early September. 

Use only fertilizers with slow-release nitrogen and zero phosphate if possible.  Follow label directions. 1 lb of phosphorus in the lake spurs the growth of 500 lbs of aquatic plants.  Look for this label:

Know The Pests.

·         Inspect regularly for pests to find problems early. Decide which species you can live with, and which you need to control. Not all bugs are bad. 

·         Try non-chemical alternatives to pesticides first, such as manual removal, biocontrol with other organisms or Integrated Pest Management. For more information, call Cornell Cooperative Extension  (585) 394-3977 ext. 436.  

·         If you use chemical pesticides, follow the directions printed on the label.  

Improper use of pesticides can result in contamination of lakes and streams and environmental damage.   

Manage Thatch          

      Thatch is a layer of decomposing plant tissue made up mostly of stems and roots, not grass clippings.  

      A thin layer of thatch (up to ½ in.) above the soil is beneficial. A thick layer leads to increased disease and insect problems, drought stress and winter injury.  

      Thick thatch usually occurs on lawns that have been heavily fertilized and watered for constant lush growth. 

      Compacted, poorly drained and acidic (below 5.8 pH) soil contributes to thatch problems.  

      The use of pesticides can reduce or eliminate microorganisms that break down thatch. Mechanical removal works temporarily. Core aeration and topdressing are effective means of managing thatch.

Core aeration allows more oxygen, water and nutrients to reach root systems, promoting healthy grass. Growth.

Promote Dense, Healthy Growth.

·         Plant disease-resistant seed.

·         Cut grass no less than 3 inches high.

·         Keep mower blades sharp, shredded grass blade tips invite disease.

·         Leave clippings on the lawn for natural fertilizer.

Water early in the morning, not in the evening.

Merchants stocking  Low and No Phosphorus Fertilizer include: 

Honeoye: The Greenery/Ward’s Landscaping
8969 Dugan Drive 

Bloomfield: Country Corners
State Routes 5 & 20 at Route 64 

Canandaigua: Lowe’s
Routes 5 & 20 

Victor: CountryMax
6280 State Route 96

Other contacts:

Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District
480 North Main Street
Canandaigua NY 14424
585-396-1450
ontswcd@rochester.rr.com 

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County
480 North Main Street
Canandaigua NY 14424
585-396-3977