Tips for an environmentally friendly, healthy lawn

By following a few tips, Oklahoma City residents can keep their lawn lush and green this summer without unintentionally harming the environment.

Grass clippings and overuse of chemical fertilizers can lead to pollution in the City’s lakes and creeks when it’s washed down neighborhood storm drains. That harms plant and animal life in our natural waterways.

“Grass clippings contain nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. When allowed to drift down the storm drain, they can result in algae blooms due to the excess nutrients,” said City Environmental Protection Manager Raymond Melton.

Helpful tips for proper lawn care

• Landscape with native grasses.
• Irrigate slowly and avoid overwatering, which can carry away fertilizers that would otherwise enrich lawns.
• Apply fertilizers only when necessary and at the recommended amount.
• Don't apply fertilizer before windy or rainy days.
• Apply fertilizer as close as possible to the period of maximum uptake and growth for grass and other plants.
• Avoid applying fertilizer close to waterways.
• Fill fertilizer spreaders on a hard surface so any spills can be easily cleaned up.
• Properly store and dispose of unused fertilizers or empty containers.

Any leftover chemicals, including fertilizers, may be dropped off at the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility at 1621 S Portland Ave.