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PHOSPHORUS: Threatening Indiana's Water from lawn to lake
College students, faculty and staff: Learn how to landcape for sustainability.
Read the latest P-Free newsletter
Click here to sign the phosphorus-free pledge!
Phosphorus is a naturally-occurring nutrient used by plants. Though plants need phosphorus to grow, they only need a small amount. Here in Indiana, most lawns have more than enough phosphorus for healthy growth.
Excess phosphorus runs off into local streams, waterways, and rivers. Once in the water, this nutrient can promote algal blooms or undesirable surpluses of algae growth, which make habitats unsustainable for many species. Blooms cause water quality to decline by blocking sunlight, reducing water oxygen levels, and disrupting food chains. Without proper living conditions, less species survive, and biodiversity decreases.
You can help address these problems by using a phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer. Use phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer to help conserve local habitats, support biodiversity, and improve Indiana’s water quality!
When in doubt, follow the Four Rs:
1. Right product
2. Right rate
3. Right place
4. Right time
GET INFORMED
Download IWF's Phosphorus fact sheet.
Get active on algae:
Download IWF's fact sheet on managing algae on your pond or lake.
Click here for a great poster on Blue-Green Algae.
GET INVOLVED
Read about how Engledow Group uses sustainable lawn care techniques at its office. They have great ideas anyone can use at home or on an office property.
Clear Choices Clean Water
Check out the great resources from our partners at clearchoicescleanwater.org
Mulching for a healthy lawn
In a recent Turf Tip, Purdue's Dept. of Agronomy suggests mulching fallen leaves, instead of raking and bagging them, can enrich soil. Make it easy on yourself this fall by chopping up your leaves with your lawn mower.
Test your soil.
This guide from the Purdue Turfgrass Science Program explains how to take a sample of your soil and get it tested for phosphorus and other nutrients. Or, test with Scotts. Remember to test your lawn before you apply fertilizer!
These lawn care providers supply environmentally-friendly fertilizers. Hoosiers in central Indiana can visit these suppliers of phosphorus-free fertilizers. (Lists provided by Hamilton Co. SWCD)
These companies will test your soil for you:
Mail soil samples to these labs:
Upcoming Events/Workshops
Contact us if you need an IWF speaker at your event or workshop.
Check our Conservation Calendar for other upcoming events.
PHOSPHORUS LEGISLATION
Many states and communities have successfully restricted phosphorus.
MORE INFORMATION
Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
Watersheds: This website gives a good reference for IDEM’s work with watersheds, such as the Indiana Nonpoint Source Management Plan and their concerns.
Algae: This government agency publishes recent health concerns with algae and presentations on the problems of algal blooms. This website is useful for understanding the state's perspective on phosphorus in our ecosystems.
Stop the Rubber Duckies: Go here for lots of great information about nonpoint source water pollution.
Download IDEM's Know Your Numbers fact sheet about chemicals in fertilizers.
Indiana Lakes Management Society, ILMS:
The ILMS website provides news updates and information concerning Indiana Lakes. This group works to conserve lakes along with the surrounding natural habitats through management, policy, and restoration efforts.
IUPUI CEES:
CEES's website contains information on Eagle Creek Watershed Alliance (ECWA) and the Upper White River Watershed Alliance (UWRWA) in addition to the work by IUPUI.
CEES carefully studies algae and its correlation to nutrient pollution in Indiana. The group has focused much of its research on how phosphorus affects water quality and algae growth. Visit the CEES website for updates and information on water quality issues in Central Indiana.
Purdue's Dept. of Agronomy
Purdue's scientists have developed many projects examining turfgrass and Indiana soils. By studying local soil samples, researchers have determined that the majority of Indiana lawns do not require supplemental phosphorus. As part of Purdue’s Turfgrass Program, this website has several publications with lawn care information. Refer to this information before you fertilize your lawn.
Indiana Clean Lakes Program
The Indiana Clean Lakes Program has been assessing phosphorus concentrations and consequences in Indiana’s waters for over 20 years. Check current and past phosphorus concentrations on virtually all public lakes in Indiana, or read summaries of statewide conditions over the years.
Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District:
Hamilton Co. SWCD has numerous fact sheets on Backyard Conservation, including helpful techniques for developing rain gardens, controlling undesirable species in your yard, or even managing your lawn's nutrients.
Citizens Water:
As water is treated and transported through our neighborhoods in Central Indiana, Citizens Water works to establish the best quality of water possible and ensure compliance with U.S. EPA guidelines. Use this website to learn about simple water conservation techniques.
Lawn Reform Coalition:
Learn about environmentally-friendly techniques for establishing lawns and the basic needs of a lawn. By establishing the essentials in lawn care, one can begin to redesign a normal grass lawn.
USDA NRCS, Backyard Conservation:
Here, NRCS provides recommendations for a number of conservation practices including mulching, nutrient management, water conservation, planting trees, etc. Implementing these suggestions can help restore an area and make it attractive to wildlife.
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