December 2011
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Fertilizer Use Act of 2011 (pdf version)
Introduction: On May 19, 2011, Governor Martin O’Malley signed the Fertilizer Use Act of 2011, an environmental law designed to reduce the amount of nutrients washing into the Chesapeake Bay from lawns, golf courses, parks, recreation areas and other non-agricultural sources. The law limits the amount of phosphorus contained in lawn fertilizer products sold to the public, establishes a training, certification and licensing program for people who are hired to apply fertilizer to nonagricultural landscapes, limits fertilizer amounts applied to turf, and requires the implementation of a homeowner education program about best management practices to be followed when using fertilizers.
According to the Chesapeake Bay Commission, about 14 percent of the nitrogen and 8 percent of the phosphorus entering the Bay can be traced to non-agricultural urban and suburban sources—mainly lawns. While certain restrictions on fertilizer use and application have been in place for farmers since 2001, only limited restrictions apply to commercial lawn care applicators and no restrictions currently apply to homeowners. Involving urban and suburban stakeholders in the Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort is essential if Maryland is to meet tough new nutrient reduction goals established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and outlined in its Watershed Implementation Plan for reducing the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) of pollutants entering the Bay by 2020.
Summary of Information for Homeowners: Homeowners and do-it-yourselfers will be required to follow University of Maryland guidelines when fertilizing lawns, gardens and landscape areas. These guidelines will be promoted through a public education program that will include information on best management practices to follow when using fertilizers, soil testing information, and how to read and follow a fertilizer label. The following provisions of the law apply to homeowners and do-it-yourselfers:
- Prohibits using lawn fertilizer on impervious surfaces.
Prohibits using fertilizer:
- Between November 15 and March 1
- When the ground is frozen
- Within 10 to 15 feet of waterways
- Restricts the amount of phosphorus applied to turf, with allowances when soil tests indicate low or medium phosphorus levels or when the homeowner is establishing a new lawn or repairing or reestablishing a lawn.
- Establishes maximum application rates for total nitrogen and water soluble nitrogen.
- Establishes maximum application rates for enhanced efficiency
controlled-release products.
- Authorizes the county, municipality or the Maryland Department of Agriculture to enforce these requirements.
The new law also new content and labeling instructions for all lawn fertilizer products sold in Maryland. There is also a new training and licensing component for professional fertilizer applicators.
Additional information read MDA's publication "The Fertilizer Use Act of 2011 - What you should know", or HB 573 on the State of Maryland's website.
The Fertilizer Use Act of 2011 will be implemented in phases over the next two years by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the University of Maryland (UMD). The law will be fully implemented by October 1, 2013
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Soil Testing Information - Read our soil testing publication online, watch our video on Taking a Soil Sample, and/or request a soil test bag by calling 1-800-342-2507 between 8am and 1pm, Monday - Friday (Maryland residents only). Maryland residents may also go to the "Send a Question" section of our website and fill in the requested information. In the description section type "soil test" and your complete name and address. A soil test bag and information sheet will be mailed to you in 5-7 days.
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