Why can too much fertilizer hurt plants and waterways?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why can too much fertilizer hurt plants and waterways?

The Big Idea

Fertilizer helps plants grow! But too much causes trouble. Why?

Burned Plants

Step one: Burned Plants. Extra fertilizer can burn roots and leaves. It leaves brown, crispy tips on the plant.

Washing Away

Step two: Washing Away. Rain can wash leftover fertilizer off the soil into storm drains. From there, it flows into streams and lakes.

Algae Blooms

Step three: Algae Blooms. The nutrients feed algae, which can grow into thick green blooms that use up oxygen and harm fish. Using only what plants need, and compost for slow feeding, protects water.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Washes it. Carries it. Receives it. Grows wild.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Algae blooms can make water look like green paint. Too much burns roots. Blooms harm fish. Compost feeds slowly.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Draw a lawn at the top of a page. Draw a storm drain and a stream. Draw a lake at the bottom. Add arrows showing how fertilizer could travel. How could you stop it?

Outro

Too much fertilizer can burn roots and leaves, and rain can wash the extra into storm drains, streams, and lakes. There it feeds algae blooms that use up oxygen and harm fish, so use only what plants need. Science is amazing! What will you discover next? Every question is a new adventure, so keep wondering and keep exploring with me! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!