Orleans Pond Coalition

Orleans, Massachusetts

  • OPC March 2023 Bulletin - Things to do this Spring
  • OPC February 2023 Bulletin
  • OPC Ponderings - Fall 2022
  • Home
  • About
    • Overview
    • Mission/Vision
    • Board of Directors
    • Business and Community Members
  • Our Waters
    • Orleans’ Watersheds
    • Freshwater Ponds
      • Baker’s Pond
      • Boland Pond
      • Cedar Pond
      • Crystal Lake
      • Deep Pond
      • Gould Pond
      • Icehouse Pond
      • Meadow Bog
      • Pilgrim Lake
      • Reubens Pond
      • Sarah’s Pond
      • Shoal Pond
      • Twinings Pond
      • Uncle Harvey’s Pond
      • Uncle Israel’s
      • Uncle Seth’s
    • Estuaries
      • Cape Cod Bay
      • Nauset
      • Pleasant Bay
        • Lonnie’s (aka Kescayogansett) Pond
    • Drinking Water
    • Wastewater Challenges
    • The Orleans Blue Pages — A Guide to Protecting Cape Cod Waters
  • Programs
    • Overview
    • Oxygenation Demonstration Project
    • Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program
    • The Orleans Blue Pages
    • Fertilizer
    • Mutt Mitts
    • Oysters
    • Our Upweller
    • Plastics
    • Water Sampling
    • Member Photo Submissions
  • Celebrate Our Waters
    • 2022 Celebrate Our Waters – A Look Back
    • 2022 Celebrate Our Waters Event Activities
    • 2022 Celebrate Our Waters Event Schedule
    • 2022 Celebrate Our Waters Event Locations
  • Get Involved
    • 2022 OPC Annual Meeting Recap and Thank You
    • Submit Photos
    • Volunteer
    • Subscribe
    • Join/Renew
    • Contact Us
  • News
    • 📌 Bulletin
    • Ask the Osprey
    • Ponderings  
    • Water, Water, Everywhere
  • Donate
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

Preventing Fertilizer Contamination

March 16, 2016 By Orleans Pond Coalition

What can we do to prevent lawn fertilizers from contaminating our ponds and estuaries?

Towns on the Cape including Orleans recently passed bylaws that reduce excess nitrogen and phosphorus from entering our surface waters and wetlands. Fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus negatively affect our ponds as they move from lawns into the watershed and into our ponds and estuaries. All forms of nitrogen fertilizers and phosphorus promote plant growth including algae in our waters. Mineral and organic substances that contain phosphorus increase root growth and are permitted only in new lawns during their first year of growth.

Here are the fertilizer regulations for Orleans, but before applying any type of fertilizer or pesticide on your lawn, check. the regulations for your town.

Any application of a lawn fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus is prohibited between October 16th and April 14th and not allowed before heavy rainfall. Before applying any commercial type of fertilizer on your lawn, gardens, trees or shrubs, test your soil for an analysis of the nutrients that are needed depending on the type of crop and lawn grown. Our UMass Extension provides a comprehensive Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory in Amherst that provides this service. Visit the website to download a copy of the sampling instructions and optional soil tests offered: www.soiltest@umass.edu

No nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizers can be applied within 100 feet of any wetland, pond or water body including salt-water estuaries.

Any phosphorus containing fertilizer shall not be used unless a soil test within the last three years indicates the need for phosphorus for the growth of turf.

No more than one pound of nitrogen per one thousand square feet is permitted applied annually not to exceed one half pound per application in the spring and early fall.

Nitrogen should only be applied in an organic, slow-release and water insoluble form if needed.

The Orleans Pond Coalition recommends that you only have a Cape Cod type lawn that won’t require annual nitrogen and phosphorus applications. Planting drought resistant fescue and perennial ryegrass varieties rather than the Kentucky Bluegrass varieties will provide a lawn that doesn’t require irrigation and pesticides to control insects and diseases. Furthermore, living on Cape Cod with our watersheds that flow into our ponds and estuaries, we are the stewards of these water resources for future generations. With fewer Kentucky Bluegrass green lawns and irrigation systems we can help preserve our water bodies from becoming contaminated with algae growth and you can manage your landscape and protect our fragile waters by using less nitrogen and phosphorus.

Filed Under: Ask the Osprey

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

About Orleans Pond Coalition

Orleans Pond Coalition, Inc. is a volunteer organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the saltwater estuaries and freshwater ponds and lakes of Orleans. Our work includes offering educational programs to encourage mindful land use practices, sponsoring water quality research, working with community, regional and state organizations to formulate constructive policies to protect our … Learn More

Our Mission

Orleans Pond Coalition is dedicated to the protection and health of our shared watersheds, estuaries, ponds and lakes.

Orleans   Pond   Coalition

PO  Box  2485

Orleans,   MA   02653

OrleansPondCoalition@gmail.com

Copyright © 2023 Orleans Pond Coalition. All Rights Reserved. · Website By: A. Piper Creative