Experts warn Orlando homeowners not to cut grass too short to protect waterways

Experts have advised Orlando-area homeowners to avoid cutting their grass too short to help protect local waterways, WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando reported.

Kaylynn Hyson, a Florida-Friendly Landscaping Educator with UF/IFAS, explained that grass clippings can be washed into storm drains, canals, and ponds during storms, contributing nutrients like nitrogen to these water bodies.

As the clippings decompose, they release nitrogen which encourages the growth of unwanted and harmful algae. When algae and cyanobacteria die and decompose, they consume oxygen in the water, creating stressful conditions for fish and aquatic life, according to the report.

Hyson offered tips to homeowners to reduce stormwater pollution and conserve nutrients by following Florida-Friendly Landscaping Principles, which aim to protect Florida’s waterways.

The advice is particularly relevant in Florida due to the frequent storms that can wash grass clippings into local water systems, making responsible lawn care important for environmental health in the Orlando area.