The City would like to remind residents to use fertilizers and herbicides responsibly and sparingly on and around their yards. The City does receive complaints of fertilizer on the sidewalk and in the street. Fertilizers are applied more frequently and many of them contain herbicides.
Chemicals and weed killers are not needed for a healthy lawn, and they’re one of the main causes of green algae in our lakes and streams.
Think before you buy. Get a soil test so you know if your lawn needs more nutrients. Mulch to keep the lawn healthy, so that it can out compete weeds for light, nutrients and water. If you fertilize, do it in the fall and sweep up fertilizer that falls in the street and sidewalk. Fertilizers in the street end up in the lake.
When applying herbicides follow the directions on the label. Post notices on your lawn so that others are aware of them and can avoid the area. Many people are highly sensitive to lawn chemicals and need to avoid these areas.
Pesticide use is regulated by the State and Federal government. For more information on rules associated with the use of them visit https://datcp.wi.gov/Documents/HTCLandscape.pdf
For more information on proper use of Fertilizers and Pesticides visit the City of Manitowoc website at https://www.manitowoc.org/403/Yard-Care
Visit www.manitowoc.org/notifyme and sign up to receive important information via text message or email. Download the City of Manitowoc app from the App Store or Google Play and click on the Alert Center to subscribe to emergency alerts.