I'm a farmer... What can I do to prevent algal blooms?
1. Do soil tests!
Measure the amount of phosphorus already in the soil before you fertilize! This will save you time and money, and also limit the runoff of nutrients into local bodies of water.
2. Stop spreading manure on frozen fields
During the spring, the manure spread on frozen fields gets swept into nearby streams. Spreading the manure during the winter time might be easier, but it is wasteful and one of the worst culprits of nutrient pollution.
3. Plant buffer strips
Establish buffer strips of native plants at least 20 ft between the border of a fertilized field and a nearby creek, river, or lake. This prevents nutrients from running directly into the water, which will cause algal blooms downstream.
Measure the amount of phosphorus already in the soil before you fertilize! This will save you time and money, and also limit the runoff of nutrients into local bodies of water.
2. Stop spreading manure on frozen fields
During the spring, the manure spread on frozen fields gets swept into nearby streams. Spreading the manure during the winter time might be easier, but it is wasteful and one of the worst culprits of nutrient pollution.
3. Plant buffer strips
Establish buffer strips of native plants at least 20 ft between the border of a fertilized field and a nearby creek, river, or lake. This prevents nutrients from running directly into the water, which will cause algal blooms downstream.