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Stewardship Tip – Fertilizer on Frozen Ground
By Arshia | March 15, 2011
We were somewhat disheartened, recently, to see trucks from a national lawn service out applying fertilizer. While we are great believers in reducing inputs on our landscaping, we realize that there are times when we must apply fertilizer. However, fertilizer, or any sort of input to the landscaping, must be applied at the proper time to enhance the soil and promote growth. All of the lawns, on which this company was applying fertilizer, were still frozen.
Most fertilizers require water to infiltrate the soil. The soil, though, must be permeable. When the ground is frozen, granular or liquid fertilizers cannot permeate the soil and run the risk of being carried to the gutter and into the watershed. Even if you have buffer strips to collect runoff, they can’t do their job if the ground is frozen.
Eutrophication is a widespread problem: Eutrophication is the addition of artificial or natural substances, such as nitrates and phosphates, into a watershed. Eutrophication can lead to excessive growth of algae, an algal bloom. When algal blooms decompose, they can cause foul odors and oxygen depletion, this can lead to fish kills.
Non-point source pollution, such as runoff from domestic landscaping, can introduce phosphorus and nitrogen into the watershed and lead to eutrophication. Indeed, according to Elena Bennet, “the major source of phosphorus in freshwater in the United States is nonpoint source flux from land to water.” While non-point sources include agricultural runoff, runoff from domestic landscaping plays a role as well.
Keeping nitrogen and phosphorus out of the watershed is important. Applying fertilizers to frozen ground increases the chances that the components will run directly into the watershed rather than fertilizing your plants.
If your lawn or your landscaping is still frozen, it is a good time to be patient. Wait and apply fertilizer when the soil has completely defrosted.Your lawn will look better and the fish in your watershed will be healthier.
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