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Grass Clippings are a Pollutant – Mow for the Flow
Steve Tonn, Extension Educator – Omaha Metro Area Lakes

Grass clippings are a pollutant and can harm lakes and creeks. Grass clippings contain phosphorus, the nutrient that turns lakes green with algae. Clippings from an actively growing lawn can have 4 to 5 times more phosphorus content than fallen autumn leaves. One bushel of fresh grass clippings can contain 0.1 pounds of phosphorus – enough to produce 30 to 50 pounds of algae growth if it finds its way to a lake or creek.

Grass clippings thrown onto sidewalks, driveways or into the street are picked up by runoff water and carried to stormwater drains and then to lakes and creeks. Keep grass clippings off the street and other paved areas. When mowing direct the grass clippings away from the street, driveways, sidewalks, or other paved areas. Recycled grass clippings left on the lawn serve as a natural food source for your grass.

Grass clippings blown on the street, driveways, sidewalks and other paved areas during mowing should be swept up and returned to the lawn or composted.

If you have a commercial lawn care service do your mowing, ask them to follow these same guidelines.

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