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LAWN CARE

Massachusetts Law
Phosphorus runoff poses a threat to water quality. Therefore, under Massachusetts law, phosphorus-containing fertilizers should not be applied to lawns.  See detailed fact sheet, and an overview and exceptions.
​
Spring_2023_fertilizer_phosphorus_letter.pdf
File Size: 133 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture

Best Practices

Lawn Alternatives: 
​•  Plant pollinator gardens and swale gardens to replace lawns.
•  Plant a smaller lawn. Fill in with other kinds of cover, flowering plants, leafy plants, trees, rocks.
•  Let clover and other legumes grow.
•  Plant hardy fescues, not Kentucky bluegrass.
•  Learn more about watershed-friendly yards from NepRWA.

​
Lawns with less, or without fertilizer:
•  Don't use fertilizer on lakefront lawns.
•  Improve your soil with compost.

•  Have your soil tested before fertilization, and only apply the deficient nutrients.  Soil testing is
   available from the UMass Amherst Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Lab for $20. 

•  Apply only slow-release fertilizer, once (or twice) a year, only in the spring (and/or fall).
•  Test your soil and correct pH if needed. 
Read more.

Mowing
•  Set your mower to the mulch setting and leave the clippings on the lawn.

•  Mow grass to no less than 3 inches, and mow more often; this also saves on watering.

Watering
•  Turn off that automatic sprinkler!
•  If you must water, water infrequently (once a week or less) but deeply (one inch). This will encourage
   the grass to grow deep roots, increasing its chances for survival in a drought.
   Use common sense - do not water after a heavy rainfall has given your lawn a good soaking.

•  Let your lawn turn brown during a dry time - it's dormant, not dead, and should come back.

​Learn more about the Town of Sharon's water system.



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  • Home
    • E. coli & Beach Closures
    • Lake Levels
    • Lake Water Testing
    • Watershed
    • History & Geology
  • Alum Treatment
  • Love Our Lake
  • Threats
    • E. coli
    • Cyanobacteria
    • Invasive Species
    • Climate
  • Protect
    • What Can I Do?
    • Lakefront & Watershed
    • Septic
    • Lawn Care
    • Outdoor Washing
    • Stop Invasive Species
  • Recreation
    • Special Events
    • Rules
  • Contacts
  • CB Testing
  • Posters
  • Search