Your fall property chores can do double duty! Take these lake-friendly steps to get your property ready for winter and help protect Newfound Lake.
- Mulch leaves into your lawn. Mulching leaves adds nutrients back to the soil and helps your grass grow stronger roots. Stronger roots help your lawn soak up more rainwater in the spring.
- Address areas of erosion. When rain runs over bare or worn-away soil, it can carry sediment, salt, oil, and other pollutants into nearby streams and lakes. This can harm plants and animals and add nutrients to the water that fuel excess plant and cyanobacteria growth.
- Redirect runoff from roofs and paths. Consider planting a rain garden or adding an infiltration trench to slow runoff and give water a place to soak into the ground.
- Clear culverts and ditches. These help move rainwater safely away from roads and properties. When they are clogged, they can cause flooding, road damage, and erosion. Keeping them clear also helps keep dirt, oil, and trash out of Newfound Lake and its tributaries.
- Plan native plantings for spring. Fall is a good time to choose native plants for your property. When you plant them in the spring, they can help slow runoff, protect the lake, and provide food and shelter for wildlife.
Small changes now can make a big impact later! Find more lake-friendly tips for fall at NHLAKES.org.