Fertilers and HABs, Weeds
Reducing the application of fertilizers in our watershed will aid our HAB problem. Fertilizers feed weeds and the algae that turn to HABs in the same way that they feed your lawn. Rain water dissolves fertilizers, and if those dissolved nutrients aren’t soaked up by roots, they will flow over or soak through our sandy soils and find their way into Black Lake. High levels of nutrients make water conditions right for HABs.
What can you do to avoid fertilizers? Look through the ideas below
What can you do to avoid fertilizers? Look through the ideas below
Working Toward a No or Low-Fertilizer Lawn
by David Sandvik, Black Lake Cabin Owner and Organic Gardener
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) occurred in Black Lake during 2020. While the causes are complex, one of the necessary elements is nitrogen runoff from fertilized crop lands, lawns, and other sources. So, decreasing fertilizer use on sites around the Lake is a valuable goal. But, How? For lawns, the first step is choosing the right grass seed.
When part of our cabin’s shoreline was washed away in 2015, our bluegrass lawn was trampled by large equipment and required reseeding. Native grasses would be best, having evolved to survive cold northern winters, warm/hot mid-summers, heavy moisture and drought. I checked with surrounding nurseries. None carried any northern native blend of grass seed. Ashley Soltysiak, at Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, referred me to Michigan State University’s Bob Bricault, who wrote an article, “Low maintenance lawns in the Midwest,” available at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/low_maintenance_lawns_in_the_midwest. He suggested planting fescue grasses, which send roots two to four feet below the soil surface. The only source in our area appeared to be Meyer Ace Hardware in Petoskey, which sold Jonathan Green grass seed.
I bought the Jonathan Green mix for sunny areas. After planting my new seeding and raking the seeds to be barely touched by soil, I spread a light sprinkle of organic fertilizer, just enough to be absorbed by the new seedlings without any left-over to wash into the lake. Alternatively, one could sprinkle a thin layer of potting soil without added fertilizer (available locally) on the seeds. I lightly watered each day it did not rain in order to keep the grass seeds moist. The seeds sprouted in a few days and came up thick and much greener than the rest of our bluegrass lawn, which always browns in mid-summer. Since then, in my experience, the newer grasses stay greener all summer with little or no need to water or apply artificial fertilizer.
Since 2015, I have overseeded our thin existing lawn with the same seed. Simply sprinkle the seed over the old lawn grass and work it down to the ground with a metal garden rake. To grow faster, water as above, but the seeds will sprout and grow regardless when conditions are right over months and years! I did check with local grass seed sources. None carried Jonathan Green, and the stores that tried could not obtain it from wholesalers, at least not for sale this year. So, Petoskey ACE Hardware is the nearest source to Black Lake. There are many other sources on the internet searching Jonathan Green grass seed. But, searching for “fescue grass seed” also brings up several other brands of seed, some of which might be sold in local stores. I suggest, if possible, buy from our local businesses. Look for fescue grasses in any mix. Then relax with a cold drink.
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) occurred in Black Lake during 2020. While the causes are complex, one of the necessary elements is nitrogen runoff from fertilized crop lands, lawns, and other sources. So, decreasing fertilizer use on sites around the Lake is a valuable goal. But, How? For lawns, the first step is choosing the right grass seed.
When part of our cabin’s shoreline was washed away in 2015, our bluegrass lawn was trampled by large equipment and required reseeding. Native grasses would be best, having evolved to survive cold northern winters, warm/hot mid-summers, heavy moisture and drought. I checked with surrounding nurseries. None carried any northern native blend of grass seed. Ashley Soltysiak, at Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, referred me to Michigan State University’s Bob Bricault, who wrote an article, “Low maintenance lawns in the Midwest,” available at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/low_maintenance_lawns_in_the_midwest. He suggested planting fescue grasses, which send roots two to four feet below the soil surface. The only source in our area appeared to be Meyer Ace Hardware in Petoskey, which sold Jonathan Green grass seed.
I bought the Jonathan Green mix for sunny areas. After planting my new seeding and raking the seeds to be barely touched by soil, I spread a light sprinkle of organic fertilizer, just enough to be absorbed by the new seedlings without any left-over to wash into the lake. Alternatively, one could sprinkle a thin layer of potting soil without added fertilizer (available locally) on the seeds. I lightly watered each day it did not rain in order to keep the grass seeds moist. The seeds sprouted in a few days and came up thick and much greener than the rest of our bluegrass lawn, which always browns in mid-summer. Since then, in my experience, the newer grasses stay greener all summer with little or no need to water or apply artificial fertilizer.
Since 2015, I have overseeded our thin existing lawn with the same seed. Simply sprinkle the seed over the old lawn grass and work it down to the ground with a metal garden rake. To grow faster, water as above, but the seeds will sprout and grow regardless when conditions are right over months and years! I did check with local grass seed sources. None carried Jonathan Green, and the stores that tried could not obtain it from wholesalers, at least not for sale this year. So, Petoskey ACE Hardware is the nearest source to Black Lake. There are many other sources on the internet searching Jonathan Green grass seed. But, searching for “fescue grass seed” also brings up several other brands of seed, some of which might be sold in local stores. I suggest, if possible, buy from our local businesses. Look for fescue grasses in any mix. Then relax with a cold drink.
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Soil Testing Prior to Amending Your Soil
If you have a lawn and are considering the use of fertilizers, you may choose to use a Soil Test Kit first to make sure you are nutrient deficient before you buy and apply. You can order a kit here:
http://shop.msu.edu/product_p/bulletin-e3154.htm
or here:
https://happydiyhome.com/soil-test-kit/
http://shop.msu.edu/product_p/bulletin-e3154.htm
or here:
https://happydiyhome.com/soil-test-kit/