Nutrients from fertilizers help our plants grow, but can also cause excessive growth of algae and aquatic weeds when washed into our waterways. These can rob the water of oxygen and harm fish. Too much nitrate in our drinking water can also cause serious health problems, particularly in newborn babies.
	If you Don't Fertilize 4
	Fertilize Wisely Credit Reduce turf areas to use less water, fewer chemicals and cut maintenance time 3 Don't Bag It! Leave grass clippings on the lawn to return nutrients and beneficial organic material to the soil naturally and reduce waste in our landfills 1 If you don't bag grass clippings, use half as much fertilizer, half as often as listed on the bag 2 Choose Dillo Dirt, other compost, or natural/organic fertilizers - they are naturally slow release 2 Sweep excess fertilizers from sidewalks and driveways back onto your lawn to prevent nutrient runoff 1 Never fertilize before a rain. Rain can wash Fertilizers from your lawn to the stormdrain, where it travels into the nearest creek 2

Copies of the Green Neighbor booklet are available at all Austin libraries.
For additional information, call 974-2550.