Workshop teaches lawn care techniques that protect local waterways

By Heidi Roman
C & G Staff Writer

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Lawn care comes to the forefront of peoples’ minds when spring draws near, but fall and winter lawn practices actually make a big difference in the health of local rivers.

It’s the right time of year to apply one last dose of fertilizer to the grass before cold weather sets in, and the Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC) is hosting a free workshop Oct. 9 in Clinton Township to teach residents about the best ways to care for their lawns without hurting the region’s water quality.

“People want to do the right thing; they just don’t always know what the right thing is,” said Clinton Township Engineer Mary Bednar. “They don’t understand the little things they do, like fall fertilizing, can make a big difference.”

Certain types of fertilizer and methods of fertilizing are harmful to the environment, and can pollute local creeks, rivers and lakes.

“It may not seem like a lot if it’s just one homeowner, but if you multiply that by all of the people who live in the most populated watershed in the state,” it has a big impact, said Michelle Arquette-Palermo, watershed education and stewardship director for the CRWC.

About 1.4 million people live in the Clinton River Watershed, which spans 60 communities. The 80-mile-long Clinton River’s headwaters are in Springfield Township, and it empties out into Lake St. Clair in Harrison Township. The watershed extends as far south as Oak Park, and up into St. Clair County in the northeast for a total of 760 square miles, Arquette-Palermo said.

“Many people don’t realize what the watershed is,” she said. “They think of the river, and not that region around it.”

Simply speaking, a watershed is a region that drains into a body of water. Anytime it rains or snow melts, the water runs into the storm drains and eventually into the Clinton River. That means anything that residents in the watershed put on their lawns can wind up in local waterways.

“If we don’t properly maintain our lawns and practice best water maintenance, it can pollute our river,” Arquette-Palermo said.

That’s the idea behind the free CRWC workshop Oct. 9. Participants will learn about the little things they can do to make a difference.

The CRWC recommends residents use a slow-release fertilizer or one that contains little to no phosphorus, since phosphorus is a major pollutant. It’s also found in the soil, so an unhealthy lawn with exposed dirt patches can be just as bad for the environment, Arquette-Palermo said.

Workshop attendants will receive information on recommended types of fertilizer and where they can be purchased. Those who want advice on fertilizer can also call the Clinton Township Engineering Department at (586) 286-9387.

The workshop will discuss soil testing and why it’s important to take a sample before fertilizing.

“A lot of people go out and fertilize without knowing what their soil needs,” Bednar said.

Other topics that will be discussed include fall mowing and composting tips, and the best methods of snow and ice removal in the winter. Participants will also learn about native plantings and rain gardens that can be planted in individual households to help improve water quality.

“You don’t need to be radical, but we can show people how to balance native plantings and water beds along with a nice healthy lawn to get a beautiful landscape,” Arquette-Palermo said.

The Water-wise Lawn Care for Fall and Winter workshop will be Oct. 9 from 7-8 p.m. at Clinton Township’s Fire Station No. 5 at 43800 Elizabeth Road.

The workshop is free, but participants are asked to reserve a spot by calling (248) 601-0606 or e-mailing contact@crwc.org.

The CRWC will plan similar workshops in other communities throughout the autumn season.

You can reach Staff Writer Heidi Roman at hroman@candgnews.com or at (586) 218-5006.