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• Test your soil to determine how much fertilizer, if any, your lawn and garden needs <br />(see Improving Soils, pg 4). <br />• Topdress with compost as an organic matter amendment to soil and/or lawn surface. <br />• Use fertilizers containing zero phosphorus if you must fertilize your lawn. Minnesota <br />State Law prohibits the use of phosphorus containing fertilizers on existing lawns <br />unless a soil test indicates a phosphorus deficiency. It's best to fertilize only in the fall. <br />• Instead of applying herbicides over the entire yard, spot treat weeds. <br />• Never use pesticides more than 10 years old. Bring them to a Hennepin County <br />Drop -Off Facility (see Resources, pg 43). <br />• Never apply pesticides or fertilizer if rain is forecasted within the next day or two. <br />• Use low maintenance plants and grass varieties to reduce the need for pesticides and <br />fertilizers. <br />TO DO/Properly dispose of pet waste throughout the year: <br />During spring snowmelt and during summer storms, pet waste that is left on the ground <br />travels with runoff directly to water resources and contributes to elevated bacteria and <br />nutrient levels. Keep pet waste from polluting: <br />• Flush pet waste down the toilet, so your septic system or the sewage treatment plant <br />can treat it. <br />• Seal the waste in a plastic bag and throw it into your garbage. <br />TO DO/Compost yard waste: <br />It is a Minnesota state law that property owners cannot throw yard and tree waste <br />(grass clippings, leaves, trees, stumps wood chips, garden debris, weeds) in with their <br />household garbage. It is against some cities' ordinances to rake or blow leaves and <br />grass clippings into the street, because they clog storm sewers and overload streams, <br />lakes and rivers with nutrients and sediment. Here is what you can do: <br />• Leave grass clippings on your lawn when you mow. Decomposing grass clippings <br />offer the same benefits as one application of fertilizer each year. <br />• Compost excess grass clippings and other yard waste. Yard debris will decompose <br />into a soil amendment for your yard and garden (see Home Composting, pg 23). <br />• Use curbside collection or drop-off facilities for yard waste. Contact your waste hauler <br />or city recycling coordinator. <br />WATER <br />QUALITY <br />3 <br />