Fertilizer

• Try organic or non-toxic fertilizer as an alternative to chemicals.
• If you do use chemicals, do not use them near ditches, gutters or storm drains as the runoff goes directly into the street drains and the Maumee River.
• Store fertilizers in a safe and dry location to prevent accidental ingestion by children and animals and possible runoff to the ground and watershed.

Pesticides

• Intensive use of pesticides and herbicides increase the likelihood that garden and lawn chemicals will wash into the storm drains.
• Pesticides not only kill garden and lawn pests, they also harm insects, poison fish and contaminate ground water.

Watering

• The best time to water is in the morning.
• Lawns do better with longer, less frequent watering.
• Short bouts of watering encourage shallow root development. It is better to water for a longer period of time but not to excess.
• Conserve water by using drip irrigation, soaker hoses or micro spray systems.
• Avoid over watering lawns and gardens so excess water does not flow into the street.
• A general rule of thumb is one inch of water per week.

Mowing

• For your lawn's health, you should mow grass to a height of 2-3".
• Mowing to a storter length stresses the grass.
• Avoid mowing wet grass when possible.
• Do not blow or sweep grass clippings into the street gutter or storm drains as this can cause blockages in the storm sewers.
• It is against city ordinance 1086.02 to place anything in the street that can be washed into the city watershed.

Brush Trimmings

• City residents may bring branches, bushes, brush, leaves, logs, firewood, stumps, and storm damage from private trees to the City Compost Site.

.