Be Like Patty.
Think About Personal Pollution.
Patty has a knack for noticing the little things, like a stray leaf in the gutter or a sprinkle of fertilizer before a rain.
But Patty isn’t just keeping score; Patty’s looking out for Tallahassee’s water.
Every time leaves, grass clippings, or other yard waste head for the storm drain, they’re not just leaving your yard, they’re heading straight for our local lakes and waterways.
Why does it matter? Because what happens on your lawn doesn’t stay on your lawn. A few simple choices—bagging clippings, raking leaves, and using fertilizer wisely—can help keep our water clean and our neighborhoods looking great.
Patty’s here to offer a friendly nudge (and maybe a wink) to remind us: being a good neighbor means looking out for our yards and our waterways.
Lawn and Order Starts Here
The Journey from Yard to Waterway
It Starts in the Yard
Leaves, grass clippings, and other yard debris might seem harmless when blown into the street. But these materials don’t just disappear, they’re on the move.
Washed to the Street
Rain (or even your sprinkler) can carry fertilizer from your property onto sidewalks and streets. Once it’s out there, it’s out of your control, and on its way to bigger trouble.
Down the Storm Drain
Unlike water that goes down your sink, storm drains don’t lead to a treatment plant. Everything that enters a storm drain—leaves, grass, fertilizer, and trash—flows into Tallahassee’s lakes and waterways.
Into Our Waterways
Once in the water, yard waste breaks down and releases nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients might sound good for plants, but in water they cause big problems.
The Ripple Effect
What started as a few stray clippings or a handful of leaves can lead to algae blooms, fish kills, and even closed recreational areas. It’s a chain reaction that affects everyone in the community.
Spring: Fertilizer Follies
Spring is prime time for greening up your grass, but what you sprinkle on your yard doesn’t always stay put.
When fertilizer runs off into storm drains, it’s like sending your lawn’s leftovers on a field trip to our waterways. Fertilizer ramps up levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which leads to algae blooms in our local waterways.
Patty’s Tip: Use fertilizer sparingly and avoid applying it before a rainstorm. This helps prevent excess nutrients from washing into storm drains and ultimately entering our waterways, where they can negatively impact water quality for everyone in the community.
Ask Patty
Got a yard care question? Patty’s on the case!
Whether you’re stumped by storm drains, puzzled by grass clippings, or just want to know the best way to handle fall leaves, submit your question below. Patty will answer with practical tips and real solutions.
Submit Your Question:
Summer: Grass Clipping Capers
Mowing season is here, and those grass clippings seem harmless, until they hit the street.
When clippings enter storm drains, they act like slow-release fertilizer, packed with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. As they break down, they feed algae blooms that suck up oxygen and leave fish gasping for air.
Patty’s Tip: Keep clippings on your lawn or bag them up. Preventing yard waste from reaching storm drains helps protect our waterways and keeps local ecosystems healthy.
Leaf Drop Drama
Autumn leaves bring color to Tallahassee, but when they collect in the street, they can cause problems for our waterways.
As leaves decompose, they release significant amounts of nutrients, into our urban stormwater systems. These excess nutrients can trigger harmful algal blooms and become unhealthy for aquatic life and recreational activities.
Patty’s Tip: Rake leaves and compost or bag them. Keeping leaves out of the street helps protect our streams and keeps Tallahassee’s fall colors where they belong, in our yards, not our water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? Submit it above and check back to see if Patty answers it here!
Snap It, Share It, Get Patty-Approved.
Think your yard has what it takes to earn Patty’s seal of approval?
We want to see it! Upload a photo of your storm-drain-safe yard, creative compost bin, or epic leaf pile. Whether you’re a composting pro, a leaf-raking legend, or just proud of keeping clippings off the street, share your handiwork with the neighborhood.
How it works:
- Upload your photo and tell us a little about what makes your yard “Patty-approved.”
- Each month, Patty will pick her favorites to feature in our gallery.
- Look for Patty’s official “stamp” on the top submissions!
Patty-Approved Gallery
Check out the latest yards, bins, and leaf piles that have earned Patty’s stamp of approval!
Ready to inspire your neighbors? Submit your photo and join the Personal Pollution Patrol!