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How to Reduce High Nitrogen Levels from Fertilizer Runoff

High levels of nitrogen in synthetic fertilizer are a major contributor to global pollution problems, according to the World Resources Institute, an environmental advocacy research organization. Eighty percent of the annual release into the atmosphere of nitrogen comes from fertilizer. Excess nitrogen overwhelms the natural nitrogen cycle, causing a range of problems, including diminished soil fertility and distortion of natural growth cycles of vegetation and animal life. Excess fertilizer phosphorus causes algae and weed growth in lakes and rivers. Prevent fertilizer run-off in your home garden.

Things You'll Need

  • Organic fertilizer or mature compost
  • Shovel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Incorporate synthetic fertilizer 4 to 6 inches deep into soil before planting. Nitrogen in soil is water-soluble, and soil particles don't hold it well. Nitrogen in groundwater causes health problems when it leaks into drinking water supplies. Nitrogen leaches downward in soil and flows as a surface contaminant in normal irrigation practices.

    • 2

      Split fertilizer applications in half in sandy soil conditions. Use half the manufacturer's recommended rate of application and apply it twice as often. "Applying suggested rates of nitrogen fertilizer will not lead to groundwater pollution problems," according to the University of Minnesota Extension website. The lack of structured soil particles makes sandy soil highly susceptible to fertilizer run-off problems.

    • 3

      Practice organic methods of soil fertility to eliminate the need for synthetic fertilizers. Incorporating organic matter such as mature compost into soil supports the biological functioning of the soil food web. Organic fertilizer is slow-released into soil. The nutrient content of soil and the food that grows on it are created by living organisms that are present in natural fertilizer. Organic fertilizer does not contain excessive nitrogen or phosphorus.

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Lawn Basics
  1. How to Prevent Runoff on a Sloped Lawn
  2. How to Correct High Phosphorus Levels in Soil
  3. How to Neutralize Nitrogen in Soil
  4. How to Remove Creosote Tar From Soil
  5. How to Adjust Nitrogen in the Soil
  6. How to Balance Nitrogen in Soil
  7. How to Boost Nitrogen in Soil
  8. How Do Some Nitrates Get Removed From the Soil?
  9. How to Lower Nitrogen Levels in Soil
  10. How to Increase Nitrogen in Soil
  11. How to Reduce Soil Alkalinity
  12. How to Remove Nitrogen from the Soil

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