Voluntary Nutrient Reduction Program
What is the Voluntary Nutrient Reduction Program?
Durham County’s Voluntary Nutrient Reduction Program (VNRP) is a voluntary initiative to encourage its citizens to become good stewards of the land by reducing their fertilizer use by 40%. Participants pledge to follow fertilizer Best Management Practices (BMPs) on their property.
Purpose of the VNRP
Misapplying fertilizer on home lawns is a common mistake that has far reaching implications. Not only may it be a waste of the homeowner’s money and time, but excess nutrients from fertilizers enter our rivers and streams, contributing to the pollution of our surface waters.
Careless or unnecessary use of lawn and garden fertilizers can contribute to nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of streams, rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters downstream. If fertilizer that is intended for your yard or garden ends up in the storm drain, then it will be washed downstream during the next rain event and make its way into a nearby body of water. Excess nitrogen and phosphorous in water bodies can cause algal blooms which in turn can lead to a decrease in oxygen in the water and result in fish kills.
The overuse or improper use of fertilizers in Durham can lead to decreased water quality values in nearby Jordan and Falls Lakes, which are subject to stringent water quality rules because of high chlorophyll a (an estimation of how much algal biomass is present) levels. Those chlorophyll a levels will rise or lower depending on the amount of nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorous) entering the water column. By keeping yard and garden fertilizers out of the water, we can improve the water quality of our lakes and streams in Durham.
Will VNRP really make a difference?
Through a combined effort, Durham County’s landowners can make a difference in protecting their county’s water resources and improving water quality in NC.
Benefits to You
- You will be part of the solution that helps Durham County protect and improve its water quality.
- You will use less fertilizer and thereby save money.
VNRP Best Management Practices: 6 Simple Steps to a Better Environment
Test your Soil!
Plants can only use so much nitrogen or phosphorous and applying extra can become a problem and waste your money. Soil testing is an important first step in determining what type and how much fertilizer should be used.
The soil test is free between April 1st and November 30th. A peak season free of $4 per sample is charged between December 1st and March 31st. You can obtain the sample boxes and reporting forms from your local NC Cooperative Extension Office. Once you have your soil sample results, you will be able to calculate the amount of phosphorus, potassium and lime that your lawn or garden requires.
Fertilizer Management!
To determine the correct amount of fertilizer to use, follow the fertilizer formula procedure to find out:
- The recommended application rate of nitrogen-based fertilizers for established lawns in the Piedmont is ½ or 1 lb of nitrogen per 1000 square feet.
- To apply 1 lb. of nitrogen per 1000 sq feet, divide the first number on the fertilizer bag into 100. For example: a 16-4-8 fertilizer, the 16 is the percent of nitrogen in the product, 100 / 16 = 6.25, so this fertilizer should be applied at a rate of 6.25 lbs. per 1000 sq foot yard.
- To apply ½ lb. of nitrogen per 1000 sq feet, divide the first number on the fertilizer bag into 50. For example: a 16-4-8 fertilizer should be applied at a rate of 3.13 lbs. per 1000 sq foot yard.
Pay attention to the weather!
Do not apply fertilizer right before a runoff-producing heavy rain or when the ground is frozen. This step will prevent fertilizer from being washed into storm drains, ending up in our streams and lakes, and being a waste of money.
Clean Up!
Sweep up spilled fertilizer from driveways, sidewalks and curbs to prevent fertilizer spilled on impervious areas from being washed into storm drains and streams.
Protect the Buffers!
Do not apply fertilizer within 20 feet of any body of water. Streams, ponds and other bodies of water need a minimum of a 20 ft. vegetated buffer area to help reduce the excess runoff of nutrients from the fertilized and managed areas.
Less is More!
It is best for the environment and your lawn to make more frequent low-rate applications and to use slow release or controlled release fertilizer. Apply fertilizer at the “basic” rate of nitrogen per year according to the NC Cooperative Extension Service publication, ‘Carolina Lawns a Guide to Maintaining Quality Turf in the Landscape’.
Sign the Pledge
Voluntary Nutrient Reduction Program Brochure
Programa voluntario de reducción de nutrientes