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Lakes and Lawn Mowers
Steve Tonn, Extension Educator – Omaha Metro Area Lakes

Lawn mowing practices can affect the water quality in the Omaha metro area lakes and streams. Improper mowing practices such as scalping a lawn (mowing too short) or removing too much excess growth at one time can be harmful to a lawn. A weakened lawn is more susceptible to pest and weed invasion and soil erosion. A weakened lawn also requires more pesticides and fertilizer and increases the potential that soil will erode away. These pollutants can be carried to area lakes and streams.

Your lawn can out-compete weeds is it can shade them out. Keep your lawn between two and three inches tall. Sharp blades cut the leaf without tearing or bruising it. This will reduce the potential for fungal infection.