Fertilizers & Pesticides
Fertilizers are essentially nutrients used by plants to live . Most fertilizers contain nitrogen , phosphorus , and potassium but can contain other elements as well . Just like humans , plants can only use so much food . Fertilizer that is not used by the plant is available to mix with rain and become stormwater pollution . Nutrients from fertilizers , like nitrogen and phosphorus , promote algae blooms and excessive plant growth in water . Algae deplete oxygen , making it unavailable to fish and other aquatic life . Algae blooms and excessive plants also limit much needed sunlight .
Texas homeowners pour approximately four million pounds of pesticides on their lawns and gardens each year . More pesticides per square inch are applied to a typical yard than to the most intensely sprayed farmland . An estimated 1 / 3 of the pesticides used at home are wasted because more is used than is needed .
Fertilizer Tips :
�TEST your soil to determine the type of fertilizer needed . �USE fertilizers sparingly and apply fertilizers exactly where you want them . �SLOW RELEASE ( ORGANIC ) FERTILIZER does not have to be applied as frequently and the risk of burning your grass is reduced . �LEAVE grass clippings on your lawn as natural fertilizers . �STORE fertilizers in areas that are covered to avoid mixing them with rain . �DO NOT apply fertilizer if rain is predicted or on frozen ground or dormant lawns . �WASH spreader equipment on a pervious ( penetrable ) vegetated area , like the lawn , to allow for the natural absorption of excess fertilizer .
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Pesticide Tips :
◄DO NOT apply any pesticides if rain is predicted . ◄SWEEP any pesticides from paved surfaces onto your lawn . ◄READ the label instructions before applying any chemical product . ◄SPOT TREAT areas of pest damage instead of treating the whole yard . If you have fire ants , they may be controlled or eliminated by ant baits . ◄INSECTICIDAL SOAP is an alternative to traditional pesticides .