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FERTILIZE APPROPRIATELY <br /> At the most basic level,fertilizers feed plants,helping them to grow better. Did <br /> you know that you can choose fertilizers that can direct your plants'growth in <br /> specific ways? Different types of fertilizers encourage plants to develop: <br /> n More or larger blooms n Greener leaves <br /> n Faster growth n More fruit <br /> Fertilizing can be done by applying composted organic material,packaged <br /> fertilizer or a specific mineral,such as iron. Different types of plants benefit <br /> from different fertilizers,so we'll discuss fertilizing lawns,woody landscape <br /> plants and palms in separate sections. <br /> Fertilizing Lawns <br /> Grass that receives appropriate levels of fertilizer—not too little and not too <br /> much— produces a dense root and shoot system capable of filtering out <br /> impurities or other components of leachate or runoff. <br /> A properly fertilized lawn absorbs nonpoint source pollutants,helps stabilize <br /> soil,reduces ambient air temperatures and promotes a healthy ecosystem of its <br /> own. Since it grows more vigorously, a properly fertilizered lawn might also <br /> require fewer cultural or chemical controls for weeds,insects or diseases. <br /> Overfertilizing can aggravate pest problems,stimulate excessive growth and <br /> require frequent watering. In addition,when people use too much fertilizer on <br /> their landscapes,it can seep through the ground,past the root zone of the <br /> grass,plants or trees and into the aquifer. It can also be washed off by rainfall <br /> directly into surface water or via stormwater systems. <br /> The way you fertilize your lawn influences how much fertilizer is taken up by <br /> grass—and how much might be lost to leaching or runoff. Several factors <br /> determine pollution potential from lawn fertilizing. Among these are: <br /> n Type of fertilizer <br /> n How much you apply <br /> n How you apply it <br /> n When you fertilize <br /> n How much irrigation you apply afterwards <br /> n Overall health of the lawn <br /> r� ►I r Ni ► Home Lawn Fertilization: <br />