Recent research shows that nutrient loads from urban areas meet or exceed the agricultural sector. Primary inputs to urban runoff include fertilizers, natural amendments, and lawn debris which contribute nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to our stormwater systems. The 234 soil tests that were submitted and fertilizer recommendations that were provided by the Jessamine County Extension Office in FY 2018-19 and the more than one million soil test results collected over a 25-year from the Commonwealth revealed that phosphorus levels in lawns and gardens are exceedingly high and levels have been increasing at an alarming rate, while phosphorus levels from agricultural fields are considerably lower and have decreased over time. A survey of current lawn care practices show that at least 50% of homeowners apply their own fertilizers, yet of those surveyed, 69% had not conducted a soil test. In an effort to educate homeowners on the relationship between over fertilization and improperly timed nutrient applications and the imperative to improve water quality, a series of educational activities were conducted by the Jessamine County Extension Office in cooperation with other agencies.

A Stormwater and Stewardship educational program was conducted in which homeowners could learn simple lawn care practices to protect water quality and how trees in the urban environment can help prevent water pollution. 11 participants attended the training at the Jessamine County Library followed by a tree planting activity at the Nicholasville Dog Park. The training was planned and conducted in cooperation with Nicholasville MS4 Stormwater Committee, the U.K. Urban Forestry Initiative, the U.K. Plant and Soil Science Department, the Jessamine County Cooperative Extension Service and the Jessamine County Library.

Other educational activities related to increasing awareness of the environmental issues related to over-fertilization of lawns have included: A Gardening in Small Spaces training was conducted at the Jessamine County Extension Office in which a representative from the Nicholasville MS4 Stormwater Committee spoke about urban water quality issues and vouchers for free soil tests were given to 15 participants. The Jessamine County ANR Agent attended the Jessamine County Farmers Market and presented educational poster with information on over-fertilization of lawns and gave away vouchers for free soil tests to 69 shoppers. A series of educational articles on the importance of over-fertilizing lawns were published in the Jessamine County Extension Agriculture Newsletter with a total circulation of 420 print and 132 email recipients and in Jessamine Journal newspaper with a total circulation of 3,595.