Smart Lawn Care Tips to Protect Water Quality in Spring

By Blake Jackson

With the arrival of spring, many Pennsylvania homeowners head outdoors to revive their lawns. While most individual lawns are small, together they cover nearly 1.5 million acres across the state.

According to Andy Yencha, water resources educator at Penn State Extension, this extensive coverage means lawns play a major role in influencing water quality.

Poorly managed lawns can generate significant stormwater runoff, which may carry pollutants into nearby streams and groundwater. Adopting smart lawn care practices can help reduce these impacts.

Start the season by clearing debris left behind from winter. Collect litter and compost leftover leaves or plant material to prevent them from washing into waterways during heavy rains.

Next, inspect your lawn for bare patches, particularly on slopes, and reseed them in mid-spring. A dense lawn helps limit runoff by stabilizing the soil.

Testing your soil is another essential step. Knowing nutrient levels allows for precise fertilizer use, avoiding overapplication that can harm water quality and waste money. Nitrogen is especially important for healthy grass growth, but it should be applied carefully.

Slow-release fertilizers are recommended, and splitting applications throughout the growing season helps minimize pollution risks. Pennsylvania law also sets limits on how much fertilizer can be applied and restricts its use near waterways or before heavy rain.

Simple practices can further protect the environment. Leave grass clippings on the lawn to naturally return nutrients to the soil.

Mow with sharp blades and keep grass height above 2.5 inches to promote stronger, more resilient turf. Sweep excess clippings and fertilizer off hard surfaces to prevent them from entering storm drains.

Planting native trees and shrubs can also improve water absorption and filter pollutants. If soil compaction is an issue, consider aeration to improve water infiltration and root growth.

For a larger impact, homeowners may explore options like rain gardens, native plant conversions, or redirecting downspouts to reduce runoff and enhance overall landscape sustainability.

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