Looking for Nemo in Rock Lake

So far this summer, it looks as if Nemo would have a fightin' chance of being found in Rock Lake.  The army of algae seems to have put off its invasion, although it may still arrive.  What are some things that ordinary water-shed dwellers can do to stave off these murky-water-makers?

The National Academy of Sciences calculates that the typical homeowners uses ten times more chemical treatments per acre of lawn than a farmer does on the same amount of agricultural land.  Any of these chemicals that are not absorbed by the lawn end up in the lake.  This is true not only of shoreline lawns but also of those in the entire Lake Mills area, both city and township.

Planting vegetation that does not need mowing and fertilizer is the best way to keep Nemo's habitat clear and sparkling, but there places where grass is highly desirable.  Here are suggestions for maintaining a healthy but lake-friendly lawn:

1) Plant "No-Mow" grass, which needs mowing once a year at the most.  It stays at a height of about six inches and can be walked on without harming it.  Late August is the best time to plant it.

2) Cut the grass to a height of at least three inches, which blocks out more weeds and keeps the soil more moist.

3) Sharpen mower blades two or three times a year. Ragged cuts make grass more susceptible to disease.

4) Aerate the lawn once a season to deliver more oxygen to the roots.

5) Water only when needed, no more than once a week, to encourage deep roots that crowd out weeds.

6) Never use fertilizer with phosphorus unless soil tests show a need for it.  Most soil in the Lake Mills area has adequate phosphorus.

(For more information visit our website and/or come to the Annual Meeting, Aug.30, 10:00 a.m., North End Boat Launch.)

Here's the disclaimer, kids.  Sorry, but you won't find Nemo here even if your parents do all the right things for the lake.  But I'll bet there's a little Bibo Bluegill that's just waiting to be found by you.

Making Waves

Aug.5, 2003

Johanna Chworowsky

Note: In this week's Making Waves I mention No Mow grass and also phosphorus-free fertilizer. 
The name of the phosphorus-free fertilizer is Lesco. The No Mow grass seed is available from

Prairie Nursery
P.O. Box 306
Westfield  WI  53964
Tel. 1-800-476-9453
Fax 608-296 2741
cs@prairienursery.com
www.prairienursery.com