Often, plants that are not native can be invasive, taking over native vegetation. A good native choice would be the low or high bush blueberry, that is attractive to look at and attracts wildlife. However, before buying any plant or shrub at a nursery, people should just look around and see what is native. Another issue is the use of fertilizer, according to Paul Gregory, the public information officer for the Maine Board of Pesticide Control. Those sales have Gregory concerned, because the products contain fertilizer as well as up to six different pesticides.
People look at a quality lawn and assume there is a connection with fertilizers and pesticides.
But if you work with nature rather than trying to fight it, you can have a beautiful lawn. The first step for working with nature is conducting a soil test to determine if your lawn even needs any kind of fertilizer. And, if it does, there are plenty of phosphorous-free fertilizers on the market that don't contribute to algae blooms. Also, the grass should be cut routinely, rather than letting it get very long and then cutting it extremely short. The shorter clippings serve as a natural fertilizer while the longer clippings suffocate the grass and don't let the light in.