There has been a lot of news lately about plastic in the oceans and overall ocean pollution. We can all agree that we want clean water and are turned off by pictures of trash in our oceans. Although we are far from the ocean, we can take action right here in Bartlett to help.
The majority of pollution in our waters comes from the land. A major contributor to pollution is storm water runoff.
The City of Bartlett has two water systems. The storm drain system was designed to prevent flooding by carrying excess rainwater away from streets, homes and businesses. This system contains no filters. Water that flows down driveways, streets and outside areas into a storm sewer or ditch flows directly to nearby creeks, rivers and ultimately the ocean.
Only our sanitary sewer systems collect water that goes down a sink or other inside drain flows to a wastewater treatment plant or to a septic system for treatment.
Much of the urban environment is paved with asphalt or concrete or is covered with buildings. These surfaces are usually impervious, meaning that water runs off of them without being absorbed into the soil. These hard, impervious surfaces make it easier for stormwater to pick up, absorb and carry pollutants such as animal waste, litter, salt, pesticides, fertilizers, oil, grease, soil and other potential pollutants.
What can we do here in Bartlett to help?
Don’t blow grass or leaves to be disposed of in streets. It does not magically disappear; it flows into storm drains and can clog up the system, flooding streets during heavy rain. Items like grass clippings release excess nutrients that cause algae to grow at much faster rates; they can cause excessive algae growth in our streams and rivers, depleting the oxygen that aquatic life depends upon to live.
Blowing grass or leaves into a public street also is a violation of Bartlett’s storm water maintenance ordinance. It is possible that you may receive a citation and a fine.
If you use a service, demand that they blow the clippings back onto the lawn or collect them and dispose of them properly.
Don’t litter — put trash in its place. Keep it out of storm drains, where it will clog up the drain or end up in the nearest stream or lake. If you see litter, pick it up and dispose of it in its proper place. While we do use street cleaners, they are not intended to clean up after us and cannot sweep all our streets daily, nor should they. Keep truck beds covered to prevent materials from blowing out onto the streets.
Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly on lawns and gardens. Excess fertilizer and pesticides can damage your plants. Go out and survey your yard or garden to see what pests are present and then use pesticides only if natural predators cannot keep the pests in check. If you live in an area with swales and ditches for rainwater collection, maintain a five foot no chemical / no fertilizer zone from the center of the swale.
If you have a weed and fertilizer service, require that they do not apply any chemicals to hard surfaces and if any inadvertently lands on them that they sweep or blow them back onto the lawn.
Plant grass, trees and shrubs in bare areas. The grass, trees and shrubs will reduce and absorb runoff, and their roots will hold the soil together, reducing erosion.
Properly dispose of motor oil and household chemicals. Never pour chemicals on the ground or in storm drains, where they will eventually make their way into a stream or river. Motor oils and household chemicals can harm, and even kill, aquatic life. Used motor oil should be taken to oil recycling facilities such as AutoZone or any oil change service station.
Shelby County residents can take unused household toxins to the Memphis-Shelby County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility at 6305 Haley Rd., Memphis, between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Call 901-222-7729 for more information.
August gardening activities
Plant:
- Start seeds of fall vegetables. After seedlings develop true leaves, transplant them into individual cell packs or pots. Feed with a water-soluble fertilizer. By late September or early October they should be ready to transplant into the garden.
- Divide and transplant bearded iris during August. Cut back the foliage by two-thirds, dig and divide rhizomes, and replant with one-third of the rhizome above the existing soil level.
- Dig and divide daylilies, using a sharp shovel to split the clumps into desirable sizes. Cut back foliage to 5 inches and replant in a sunny location.
- Autumn crocus (Colchicum sp.) bulbs should be ordered now and planted soon after they arrive for a beautiful fall display.
- Order spring-flowering bulbs in August and September to be planted in October and November.
Fertilize:
- Roses to encourage last new growth.
Prune:
- To encourage fall bloom, prune roses lightly and cut seed pods off crepe myrtles and Chaste trees (Vitex).
- Avoid pruning trees and shrubs starting in late August, particularly hedging plants such as boxwood, hemlock and hollies, as doing so this late in the season can stimulate new growth that will not harden off before frost.
- If spring-flowering shrubs are pruned now, you will be sacrificing next year’s flower. Delay pruning any tree or shrub until the plant is dormant. Any major pruning should be done in late winter.
Other:
- Continue to water on weeks with less than 1 inch of rain.
- Continue to monitor for insect and fungal diseases and treat as needed.
- Keep hummingbird feeders and birdbaths full.
- Begin collecting seeds of annuals and perennials for next year’s garden. Cut seed heads and place in a brown paper bag to dry, labeling each bag with the name of the plant.
- Photograph your garden to help yourself remember what you did and did not like this year. See what works and what doesn’t. In winter, you will be able to determine which plants you need to move, remove or add when you analyze the photos.
- Every weed that produces seed means more trouble next year. Don’t give in to the heat, and control weeds before they go to seed. Do not add weeds with mature seed heads to the compost pile. Many weed seeds can remain viable and germinate next year when the compost is used.
- Gather herbs and flowers for drying and preserving. The best time to gather herbs for drying is during the mid-morning hours, just after the dew has dried off the herbs but before the sun causes them to wilt. Cut the herbs in clusters with the stems attached.
TOM RIEMAN of Bartlett is a Shelby County Extension Master Gardener and secretary of the Bartlett City Beautiful Commission. Keep Bartlett Beautiful is among the activities of this commission. Contact him at thrieman@aol.com.
