Fertilizer Use Act of 2011

Gov. O'Malley, on May 19, 2011, signed into Maryland Law, the Fertilizer Use Act of 2011. The law is designed to reduce the amount of nutrients into the Chesapeake Bay from lawns, golf courses, parks, recreation areas and other non-agricultural sources. The law mandates several things: the amount of phosphorus contained in fertilizer sold to the public, establishes a training and certification process for persons who are hired for applying fertilizer, limits the amount of fertilizer applied to turf and implements a program to educate homeowners on best practices for fertilizer application... Read full article on Fertilizer Use Act of 2011 on our blog

Many of the provisions are already in place for commercial applicators. Homeowners will now be required to follow the guidelines established by the University of Maryland when fertilizing their lawns, gardens and landscaped areas. The 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.

Specific guidelines for homeowners and do it yourselfers include:

• Prohibits use of lawn fertilizer on impervious areas
  Prohibits using fertilizer: Between November 15 and March 1
  When the ground is frozen
  Within 10-15 feet of waterways


• Restricts the amount of phosphorus applied to turf, with allowances when soil tests indicate low levels of phosphorus or when the homeowner is establishing a new lawn


• Establishes maximum application rates for total nitrogen and water soluble nitrogen


• Establishes maximum application rates for enhanced efficiency controlled-release products


• Authorizes county, municipality or the Maryland Department of Agriculture to enforce these requirements

Additionally, new training and licensing requirements have been established for professional fertilizer applicators. The law must be n place by October 1, 2013.

The changes have been put in place to help the state comply with the new requirements for the control of total maximum daily load of pollutants entering the Bay by 2020.