Lawn Care & Landscaping

Does Your Lawncare Service Help to Minimize Growth of Plants and Algae?

This is a Lake Friendly Living informational release from OLPA

Problem: Otisco Lake has a significant challenge with excessive plant growth in the lake. As part of a multi-faceted plan to minimize plant and algae growth, OLPA is providing lakeshore residents information to understand ecologically impactful lawn care. The best ecological lawn is a native, natural lawn The most beneficial and ecologically safe strategies for lawn care begin with a regular program of aeration and over seeding to generate a healthy lawn with dense turf:

  • More resistant to environmental factors, disease, and normal-use stressors.

  • Filters pollutants and decreases water and nutrient runoff

  • Requires less herbicide to combat harmful weeds, crabgrass & insects

  • Lessens soil erosion & dust

    Chemical fertilizers & weed control products require sound science-based strategies to protect ground water and adjacent surface water. Homeowners should be carefully discerning what if any products are placed on lakeshore lawns.

  • Only use EPA-approved products labeled on the container.

  • No phosphorus in lawn products ingredient list

  • Nitrates and other ingredients should be used at the lowest recommended rates of application

  • Only use trained applicators to avoid direct contact with water and bordering areas, with at least a 3-foot material free zone around any body of water

  • Ground water is filtered by turf, thatch, and grass plant roots, with research showing little potential for these materials to leach below the root zone when applied at recommended rates

  • Onondaga Soil and Water District offers free nutrient analysis on your lawn to ID needed nutrients (if any!) testing details provided by OLPA on request__

    While OLPA has not evaluated all lawn service providers, TruGreen uses data from the EPA, Cornell & Penn State Universities to demonstrate product effectiveness & safety

    Please evaluate your lawn service provider to ensure appropriate lawn & water safety benefits You can contact TruGreen for information, with questions and request a quote:

  • Call or text Marc Zacheis at 607-339-9049 or Email at p.marczacheis@trugreenmail.com, o

    Reference OTISCO LAKE SPECIALS!!

Native Plants on Otisco

Native plants protect Otisco Lake by stabilizing shores, filtering pollutants, and supporting wildlife. Their deep roots reduce erosion and trap sediment, improving clarity and lowering nutrient loads. Adapted to local conditions, they need no fertilizers or heavy maintenance that cause runoff. By outcompeting invasives in the littoral zone, natives preserve habitat balance, biodiversity, and provide food and shelter for fish, birds, and beneficial insects. Restoring native plant communities is a cost-effective, long-term way to safeguard water quality, habitat resilience, and recreation.


Your Native Plant Resources near Otisco Lake 

Sign up for these free newsletters!

HGCNY  Habitat Gardening of CNY –The local chapter of Wild Ones.  An exhaustive website with local talks, local plant sales, list of places to buy native plants nearby and videos from national experts on why we should all tapping into the joys of native plants for water quality, habitat and beauty.  The way you landscape can help keep Otisco Lake clean.  And learn why our birds, bees and butterflies need us to plant natives!

Go Native Perennials  A local nursery nearby!  Janice Wiles, founder, offers landscaping, garden and meadow design and installation.  Sign up for the newsletter and visit the nursery right next to Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery.    

WHAT WE DO

We grow and sell local ecotype native plants. We grow local ecotype native plants for seed. We design beautiful landscapes of native plants (that can include a vegetable and herb garden, if you wish). We install gardens and meadows. 

We educate on how what we do on the land impacts water quality - and quality of life. 

Fingerlakes Native Plant Society – based in Ithaca.   Another exhaustive and inspiring website.   Check out their calendar of events for May!  Native plant talks, walks and sales this month!

Your Native Plant Society in the Finger Lakes

We are an organization located in central New York, founded in 1997, dedicated to promoting the appreciation of our native flora. We hold free public field trips throughout the year and free indoor programs during the colder months. Members receive our newsletter, Solidago, and participate in a seed exchange, a spring native plant sale, and a December celebration of native plants.