Fall is a spectacular season in the Finger Lakes region. With the leaves such brilliant colors and the harvest upon us, many people will be outside enjoying these last few days before winter.
Fall is also a time that many people work to finish last minute outdoor projects. And with all those beautiful trees, one of those projects includes many back-breaking hours of raking and bagging leaves, but is there a better way?
Traditionally, many homeowners rake and bag their leaves to be taken to the local landfill. It is estimated that 20 percent of the waste taken to landfills is yard waste and leaves. In rural areas that lack garbage pick-up, it is common to find people dumping leaves into ravines and streams. Although well intentioned because leaves are “natural” and leaves do “naturally” fall into streams, large piles can prove to be a huge water quality concern. These large piles decompose, directly releasing nutrients, like phosphorus into waterbodies.
Tree leaves contain very high amounts of phosphorus. The leaves actually contain 50 to 80 percent of the nutrients taken up by the tree during its growing season. Phosphorus is a naturally occurring element, but in excessive amounts can lead to an increase in aquatic weed growth and algal blooms. This increase in plant and algae growth decreases the available oxygen in the water, stressing and killing fish and other aquatic species.
Grass clippings are also commonly found dumped into streams and lakes. Like leaves, grass clippings contribute nutrients to the water column. A study found that most of the phosphorus contained in the grass clippings is leached into the water within the first day of being immersed.
There are several alternatives to placing leaves and grass clippings at the curb or into a stream. To create a natural fertilizer for your lawn, mow and/or mulch leaves and leave grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. The nutrients from the decomposition will be absorbed by your lawn, increasing its health.
Composting is a great alternative for grass clippings and leaves. Composting bins can be purchased at gardening stores or bins can easily be made. For best results, use a mixture of one part grass clippings to three parts leaves. Your composted leaves and grass clippings can be used in flower and vegetable gardens and in your household planters.
If you would like more information on any of these alternatives, call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County (255-1183) or the Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection Program (252-4171 ext. 120).
So this year, instead of spending a lot of time raking leaves, try one of these other disposal methods. You'll gain a lot more time, have a healthier lawn and garden next year and less nutrients will be in our lakes and streams.
- Sources: “Don't Bag it - Leaf Management Plan,” www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homelandscape/dontbag/dontbag.html; “Grass and Leaf Decomposition and Nutrient Release Study Under Wet Conditions,” http://consensus.fsu.edu/Fertilizer-Task-Force/industry/Decomp_Study.pdf; “Shady Characters/Yard Waste,” www.gardening.cornell.edu/lawn.almanac/october.htm
Jessica Miles is the Owasco Lake Watershed Inspector
Traditionally, many homeowners rake and bag their leaves to be taken to the local landfill. It is estimated that 20 percent of the waste taken to landfills is yard waste and leaves. In rural areas that lack garbage pick-up, it is common to find people dumping leaves into ravines and streams. Although well intentioned because leaves are “natural” and leaves do “naturally” fall into streams, large piles can prove to be a huge water quality concern. These large piles decompose, directly releasing nutrients, like phosphorus into waterbodies.
Tree leaves contain very high amounts of phosphorus. The leaves actually contain 50 to 80 percent of the nutrients taken up by the tree during its growing season. Phosphorus is a naturally occurring element, but in excessive amounts can lead to an increase in aquatic weed growth and algal blooms. This increase in plant and algae growth decreases the available oxygen in the water, stressing and killing fish and other aquatic species.
Grass clippings are also commonly found dumped into streams and lakes. Like leaves, grass clippings contribute nutrients to the water column. A study found that most of the phosphorus contained in the grass clippings is leached into the water within the first day of being immersed.
There are several alternatives to placing leaves and grass clippings at the curb or into a stream. To create a natural fertilizer for your lawn, mow and/or mulch leaves and leave grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. The nutrients from the decomposition will be absorbed by your lawn, increasing its health.
Composting is a great alternative for grass clippings and leaves. Composting bins can be purchased at gardening stores or bins can easily be made. For best results, use a mixture of one part grass clippings to three parts leaves. Your composted leaves and grass clippings can be used in flower and vegetable gardens and in your household planters.
If you would like more information on any of these alternatives, call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County (255-1183) or the Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection Program (252-4171 ext. 120).
So this year, instead of spending a lot of time raking leaves, try one of these other disposal methods. You'll gain a lot more time, have a healthier lawn and garden next year and less nutrients will be in our lakes and streams.
- Sources: “Don't Bag it - Leaf Management Plan,” www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homelandscape/dontbag/dontbag.html; “Grass and Leaf Decomposition and Nutrient Release Study Under Wet Conditions,” http://consensus.fsu.edu/Fertilizer-Task-Force/industry/Decomp_Study.pdf; “Shady Characters/Yard Waste,” www.gardening.cornell.edu/lawn.almanac/october.htm
Jessica Miles is the Owasco Lake Watershed Inspector
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