Fertilizer
 

Does anyone know if there is such a thing as an acceptable fertilizer that can be used near the lake?

10-0-10 fertilizer is OK.
 

When buying fertilizer, there are three numbers on the bag that tell you how much of the good stuff is in it. Think NPK - Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium. 10 5 10 means 10 parts of nitrogen vs 5 of phosphorus vs 10 of potassium. Look for the middle number, the phosphorus, to be zero or at most 1. Lake Winnipesaukee responds quickly to phosphorus loading, which results in more algae and creates all sorts of bad cycles of life. Use lime if your ground cover will accept that. There are iron based products out there that seem to work, but there are controversies about tje other chemicals included in them. Some of the landscapers, especially Stephens, have ideas about how to design and/or maintain your garden in a way that is less damaging to the surface water.

UNH Cooperative Extension
 

Here is a link to the UNHCE's website.

http://extension.unh.edu/Sustainable...urf-Management

Check out this link and also take advantage of their service by making an email or phone inquiry if you still have a question(s).

Good luck and thanks for thinking environmentally. My stream behind the house, that back in the 80's had pristine clear water and rocks, now has green growth on the rocks, all of which has occurred since houses upstream, with nicely manicured lawns, have appeared over the years. Stream is pretty, just not like it was.

Seen in Meredith:

Fertilizer
 

Thanks for the information, I would be happy with natural ground cover but because of mud, etc around the camp I planted,a number of years ago a"highway meadow mix" which is fairly low maintenance but the last couple of years it seems to need a little boost. I fear the day I see the green algae growing on the lake front rocks, I just wish the folks with the manicured lawns are aware of this.
Thanks:)

Education is what this is all about. I have several nice lawns around me, all of which know about the harms of phosphorous... The all now pay attention to what they use for fertilizer... WHY you may ask.... Because over time I took opportunities when they presented themselves and talk to them about the fertilizer they where using.

In short the only why to keep damaging chemicals out of the lake, is for those that know better to make sure the information gets passed on to those that don't....

Of the neighbors I talked with none thought I was being rude or mean... they all in fact said... I never thought about that...

Not sure if they actually 'forgot about that', I do know of a number of McMansion owners as well as businesses who have their landscapers fertilize 'after hours'.

The fertilizer limits in the Shoreland Act (RSA 483-B:9) change a couple of years back they now read:

II. Within the protected shoreland the following restrictions shall apply:

(d) No fertilizer shall be applied to vegetation or soils located within 25 feet of the reference line of any public water. Beyond 25 feet, slow or controlled release fertilizer, as defined by rules adopted by department, may be used.

DES has not adopted its own definition for "slow or controlled release" because the Department of Agriculture and the industry have a definition for this term already. To develop a different definition would be confusing.

Enforcement of RSA 483-B:9
 

Shorethings- it is clear that many people are fertilizing their lawns within the 25 foot line, otherwise we would see a color change at that mark (think of those streaked lawns people get when they misapply).

Has there ever been enforcement?

Thanks!!

what about weed killer?
 

Is there any regulation regarding weed killers like preen or weed-b-gone?

Read the label
 

There are lots of variations to Preen, but I looked up their crabgrass control (the one I sure could use) and read the precautions. It says:

This product is toxic to fish and highly toxic to other aquatic organisms including oysters and shrimp. Use with care when applying to turf areas adjacent to any body of water. Drift and runoff from treated turf may adversely affect aquatic organisms in adjacent aquatic sites. Do not apply when weather conditions favor drift from treated areas. To protect the environment, do not allow pesticide to enter or run off into storm drains, drainage ditches, gutters or surface waters.

Regulation or not, common sense says it should not be used near the lake. But as I've heard, common sense isn't alway that common.

lime
 

Is it acceptable to use lime within 25 feet of the shore?

There has been some. They are difficult cases to build and prove.

It was, but they took that provision out. I believe that was either the 2012 or 2013 session.

Using chemicals near the water is just plain silly and irresponsible just to make your property look like it belongs in a landscaping magazine. Cant say it much simpler. People use the lake water in their homes still for washing. Pesticides and fertilizers are known contributors to cancers.

You can apply it directly to plants but you cannot apply it to the soil/ground.

Foggers
 

Not specifically addressed, but there are sprays and foggers on the market to keep mosquitoes, ands etc away from your yard. The instructions usually say do not use near uncovered food (picnic) or near the shore. Simple rule: if the package says protect your eyes and skin, keep away from pets, etc., leave it on the shelf. Simpler rule: If you wouldn't eat it, or let your dog walk on it, don't let it near the lake.