New law pertaining to lawn fertilizer effective October 2013
Basic information for Homeowners and Professionals:
- Everyone must follow University of Maryland fertilizer recommendations.
- A single fertilizer application may not exceed 0.9 pound total nitrogen per 1,000 square feet which can include no more than 0.7 pound of soluble nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
- Homeowners should visit extension.umd.edu/hgic for seasonal and yearly nitrogen recommendations.
- Lawn care companies must be licensed to apply fertilizer and should consult the Maryland Professional Lawn Care Management Manual.
- Phosphorus may only be applied to lawns when a soil test indicates that it is needed or when a lawn is being established, patched or renovated.
- Fertilizer may not be used to de-ice walkways and driveways.
- It is against the law to apply fertilizer to sidewalks, driveways or other impervious surfaces. Any product that lands on these surfaces must be swept back onto the grass or cleaned up.
- Do not apply fertilizer within 15 feet of waterways. This setback is reduced to 10 feet if a drop spreader, rotary spreader with deflector or targeted spray liquid is used to apply fertilizer.
- Do not fertilize lawns if heavy rain is predicted.
- Observe fertilizer blackout dates: Lawn fertilizer applications are banned between November 15 and March 1 and when the ground is frozen. Lawn care professionals have a slightly longer period–until December 1.
- Enhanced efficiency controlled release products may be applied at no more than 2.5 pounds per year, with a maximum monthly release rate of 0.7 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
AMERICAN LANDSCAPING INC. IS A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL FERTILIZER APPLICATOR AND WILL MAKE SURE YOUR LAWN TREATMENTS FOLLOW THE NEW GUIDELINES WITH THE BEST AND PROPER TREATMENT TO YOUR LAWN.