What is Fertilizer?​ - Fertilizer is a natural or artificial mix of specific chemical elements (nutrients) designed to supplement what is already present in soil to boost plant growth and flower or food production. 
Why are we concerned about fertilizer?
According to the National Center for Water Quality Research at Heidelberg College, in 2006 Ohio purchased 2,000,000 tons of fertilizer products. That study estimated that $250,000,000 worth of Ohio's nutrients get washed into the Ohio River!
When too much fertilizer is applied, or it is applied at the wrong time, it can easily be washed off lawns and gardens. Excess nutrients in our rivers, lakes, and streams can lead to algae growth. In turn, too much algae causes water quality problems. It can deplete oxygen in the water that fish and other wildlife need to survive, and make boating, fishing, and swimming unpleasant and sometimes even dangerous.
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This species of harmful algae (Cyanobacteria) can be identified because it looks like bright green spilled paint on top of the water.
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Algae Bloom in Sharon Lake, visible from an aerial map.
Watch our Spring 'Seasonal Stormwater Series' video to learn more!
coming soon!

Benefits of using fertilizer
  • ​​Lush green lawn
  • Beautiful flowers
  • Plentiful crops

Problems with too much fertilizer

Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs)
Fertilizers used on lawns, farms, and gardens always have the potential to get carried into our rivers and streams by stormwater runoff. Once these excess nutrients reach the water, algae devours them and grows incredibly quickly, resulting in a 'bloom'. While most algae is not harmful, some species produce toxins as a waste product, causing a plethora of issues for humans and our environment. 
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Ohio River Microcyctis bloom, 8/22/08 Photo by: Jim Crawford, Ohio EPA Emergency Response. This species of harmful algae appears as clumps floating just below the surface.
  • Humans: Algae blooms can be unsightly, and make water recreation unpleasant or impossible. Harmful algae can cause a variety of physical reactions in humans including skin or eye irritation from contact. Sometimes a HAB may cause drinking water to become dangerous, restricting a community from drinking that water for several days until the bloom passes. There are also a variety of other possible effects of harmful algae.
  • Land Animals: Pets and other terrestrial animals have many of the same risks as humans. It can be dangerous for them to be in and around water during a HAB. It is important to keep pets out of the water during an advisory, as they may ingest the algae by licking their wet coat, or have other physical reactions.
  • Aquatic Animals: Fish and other aquatic organisms have the most direct risk to algae blooms due to excess nutrients. Not only are they harmed by HABs, but even algae that is not toxic can lead to water quality problems. At the end of it's life cycle, algae begins to decompose in a process that depletes the oxygen available in the water, which is the primary cause of fish kills. 

Best Practices for Residents, Businesses, and Property Managers

1. GET YOUR SOIL TESTED - A great way to save money and help the environment at the same time. Testing your soil helps avoid unnecessary or ineffective fertilizer application. Information about soil testing in Hamilton County can be found on our website here.
  • Check nutrient content - Check the N-P-K ratio (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), and match it to your soil needs. This is often displayed as a series of three numbers in that order, and indicates the percentage of those three primary macronutrients by weight. There may also be other nutrients or heavy metals beneficial to plants in smaller amounts listed in the ingredients. 
​2. READ / FOLLOW THE LABEL - 
  • More is not always better - Apply at the recommended rate for your pot size or area, and the type of plant you are fertilizing. Lawns will have different needs than your tomatoes. Using too much fertilizer can be costly and can even harm your plants (fertilizer burn). Using a spreader for large areas (such as lawn) can help ensure even spreading.
  • Use slow-release fertilizer - As a general rule, it is best to avoid liquid fertilizers (these are immediate release) for outdoor use. While this may be a good option for potted houseplants, liquids don't last as long (requiring more frequent applications), and aren't as good for your plants. They also wash away with rain more easily. Look for 'slow-release' on the label. 
3. CHECK THE WEATHER - Don't apply fertilizer right before rain. This will increase the amount that get washed away, which is bad for your wallet and our streams. 
  • Sweep and reuse - Sweep up any fertilizer that may have gotten on your sidewalk or driveway, and use it in an appropriate place so it doesn't wash away during the next rain. 
  • Don't apply - within 75 feet of waterways.

Fertilizer Alternatives & Ways to Reduce Your Use

The best best way to reduce fertilizer use is to maintain good soil health.
Here are two great ways to get nutrients into your soil with out using fertilizer:
  • (GARDENS) ​Compost - Compost is natures way of providing plants with fresh nutrients. You can make your own compost at home for free! This is a sure way to keep your plants and your wallet happy. For more information about getting started with composting visit Hamilton County R3source.
  • (LAWNS) Let it lay - For lawns, the best option is to 'let it lay'. By mulching (getting shredded by the lawnmower) your grass clippings and leaves and not bagging them, your lawn is provided nutrients, you don't have to collect and get rid of that yard waste (unless you want to use it in your compost!), and it is much more likely to stay put and not end up in ponds, rivers, or streams. It's also free, and much healthier for your lawn. 
If you want to reduce the amount of fertilizer needed:
  • Use native plants - This may not always be an option for growing grass or veggies, but when planning your garden, choosing native plants has many benefits because they are adapted to our local climate, so don't require as much attention. They are less likely to need soil amendments like fertilizer, they won't need watered as often, and they attract a wider variety of local wildlife, from pollinators to birds and more. 
What about organic fertilizer? 
Commercially available organic fertilizers do not differ in their stormwater impact. The primary difference is that their nutrients are naturally derived rather than chemically created. For this reason, they are usually inherently slow-release because it takes longer for soil microbes to release the nutrients. Slow-release fertilizers are a better choice than immediate release. 

Resources

For Residents
  • Fertilizer Tip Card
For Businesses &
Property Managers
Selecting a Lawn Care Company​
Commercial Farming
For Municipalities
Using an appropriate amount of fertilizer can save time and money.
Follow best practices for maintaining lawn areas
How to keep turf around sidewalks from failing