Environmental Impact Of Lawn Fertilisers

We often here stories about fertilisers damaging the environment. That we need to cut back on their use and so forth. So what's the deal and what is the truth about our use of fertilisers in lawn care.

The reasons for the use of fertilisers is covered in other articles, so in this article we'll stick to the environmental impact of their use.

It's True

Yes, the rumours are true, lawn fertilisers can be damaging to the environment, the nutrient in fertilisers responsible is Phosphorous, AKA Phosphate. When phosphate enters into river systems, it promotes the massive algal blooms often seen on TV News reports.

Why Is Phosphate Used

Phosphate is an essential nutrient for lawns and many other plants, it is the nutrient most responsible for root growth and maintaining a healthy root system. As such, it remains an essential ingredient in fertilisers.

When Phosphate Becomes A Problem

The negative environmental impacts from Phosphate use occurs when the nutrient is mis-used. When fertilisers are used wrongly, such as when too much is applied at once, or applied too often, the excess fertiliser is simply washed away. Usually down storm water drains, into rivers, and into the water table.

Minimising The Environment Impact

The best solution to this problem is to learn more about fertilisers and use them correctly in our lawn care, and in their correct amounts. With proper use, fertilisers will feed and nourish our lawns with the nutrients they need, with none to very little excess run off.

Phosphate Free Fertilisers

A wonderful new entry into the fertiliser market for the homeowner, is the addition of fertilisers with 0% Phosphate. These new fertilisers give the homeowner an opportunity to make an environmental decision they can be at ease with.

There are a few quality brands available offering this environmental choice, and when used, they provide quality results for our lawns. So just because one nutrient may be missing, doesn't mean results will be lowered. These fertilisers have been carefully put together to maximise quality returns to our loved lawns.

Use With Care

Having said that, it is important to remember where we started...

Phosphate is an essential nutrient to the health of our lawns.

While Phosphate Free Fertilisers are a great new friend, they are not our only friend, and they must be used in conjunction with fertilisers containing phosphate. Because we must keep up phosphate levels in our lawns to ensure they remain healthy.

50 / 50 Lawn Care

In conclusion, a good mix between the two types of fertilisers is simply a 50/50 mix.

Use Phosphate Free for half of your annual fertilising requirements.

Use a Complete Fertiliser for the other half of of your annual fertilising regime.

And everyone can live a little happier, and a bit more relaxed, while following good lawn care practices and maintaining a beautiful lawn.