Tuesday, August 23, 2016
- Don’t fertilize lawn June 1- Sept 30th
- Do not pour chemicals into storm drains
- Do not use or limit use of pesticides
- Pick up plastics on shorelines
- Plant native plants (less thirsty for water)
- Wash car with bucket and soap, not a hose
- Install cisterns or rain barrels for watering plants
- Leave grass clippings on lawns
- Use a brush to sweep driveways, not a hose
- Provide containers with sand for cigarette butts
The results are in. After three days of Boston’s GreenFest, participants have arranged yard actions according to their personal priorities. First we told people the tale of 16 striped bass dead on a Falmouth shore that led the town to ban fertilizing lawns in the summer, to spread only one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet and not five pounds. Don’t fertilize when day light longest, water warmest, algal blooms the worst was fixed to the top as number one.
Do not pour chemicals into storm drains topped the chosen list of yard actions. It edged out do not use or limit use of pesticides to become number 3.
When the numbers were tallied we were surprised to see Leave grass clippings on the lawn come in as number 8. We expected a much higher posting. Some people told us they put it low saying that they spend time raking it up. Others said they knew that so put they it low. One said her son will be happy to hear he does not have to rake grass cuttings anymore.
Wash car with bucket and soap and use a brush to sweep driveways tended to be placed near the bottom especially by individuals who do not wash or sweep. It was correctly pointed out that a car wash is better than washing with a bucket because the car wash manages its waste water.
We are asking people to modify their behaviors, not to change. One who likes to wash the car is more likely to use a bucket instead of a hose, than is to change behavior and bring car to the car-wash.
People put much thought into ordering their yard actions. Our goal was to educate about the ten best practices, and we brought blanks ready for more. Despite the order, they are all worthy. Clearly learning how to minimize dirty water coming off of properties was happening. What is done on private properties can affect us all, and every modification you make helps.
Join with us on our page with friends, launch your own page to save our rivers. Together, we’re stemming the rising slime and getting the muck out of water.
Note: No fish were hurt at Boston’s GreenFest. We made dead fish out of paper, pipe cleaner, straws and beads – googly eye optional.
Got clean water practices? What are you doing to prevent dirty water run-off from your place?