{"id":28137,"date":"2024-04-11T09:00:53","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T13:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=28137"},"modified":"2024-04-10T09:56:55","modified_gmt":"2024-04-10T13:56:55","slug":"protect-the-local-waterways-and-the-chesapeake-bay-follow-marylands-lawn-fertilizer-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2024\/04\/11\/protect-the-local-waterways-and-the-chesapeake-bay-follow-marylands-lawn-fertilizer-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Protect the Local Waterways and the Chesapeake Bay\u2014  Follow Maryland\u2019s Lawn Fertilizer Law"},"content":{"rendered":"<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/04\/Owl-BeWise2024.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"28138\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2024\/04\/11\/protect-the-local-waterways-and-the-chesapeake-bay-follow-marylands-lawn-fertilizer-law\/attachment\/owl-bewise2024\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/04\/Owl-BeWise2024.jpg?fit=1918%2C1000&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1918,1000\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Owl-BeWise2024\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/04\/Owl-BeWise2024.jpg?fit=760%2C396&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-28138\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/04\/Owl-BeWise2024.jpg?resize=300%2C156\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/04\/Owl-BeWise2024.jpg?resize=300%2C156&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/04\/Owl-BeWise2024.jpg?resize=1024%2C534&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/04\/Owl-BeWise2024.jpg?resize=768%2C400&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/04\/Owl-BeWise2024.jpg?resize=1536%2C801&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/04\/Owl-BeWise2024.jpg?w=1918&amp;ssl=1 1918w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\"><strong>ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 11, 2024)<\/strong> \u2013 The<strong> Maryland Department of Agriculture<\/strong> is reminding homeowners and lawn care professionals to follow <a href=\"https:\/\/mda.maryland.gov\/Pages\/fertilizer.aspx\">Maryland&#8217;s Lawn Fertilizer Law<\/a> when caring for lawns this spring. The law, which has been in effect for more than a dozen years, aims to protect local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay from excessive nutrients contained in fertilizer products applied to non-agricultural land, including golf courses, parks, recreation areas, athletic fields, businesses, and hundreds of thousands of urban and suburban lawns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">&#8220;Helping to restore the health of local streams and our Chesapeake Bay is a top priority at MDA,&#8221; said <strong>Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks<\/strong>. &#8220;Everyone\u2014from farmers to lawn care professionals to homeowners\u2014needs to do their part if we are to restore the health and vitality of our Chesapeake Bay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">If you hire a lawn care professional to fertilize your lawn, be sure that they are certified by the department&#8217;s <strong>Turfgrass Nutrient Management Program<\/strong> or work under the supervision of a certified professional. The department&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/mda.maryland.gov\/SiteAssets\/Pages\/fertilizer\/CertifiedLawnCarePros.pdf\">website<\/a> has a list of certified lawn care professionals. These individuals have been trained in proper fertilizer application techniques and bay-friendly fertilizer practices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">If you prefer to take care of your lawn yourself:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Consider skipping the spring fertilizer, especially if your lawn is healthy. Fall is the best time to fertilize cool-season grasses like fescues and Kentucky bluegrass.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Sharpen lawnmower blades in the spring to avoid tearing and weakening the grass.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Mow the grass high to shade out weeds and conserve moisture. Three inches is an ideal height for most lawns.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Leave grass clippings on the lawn. They provide free fertilizer all season long.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">If you decide to fertilize:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Get your soil tested to see if your grass will benefit from additional nutrients or lime. The University of Maryland Extension has\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umd.edu\/resource\/soil-testing-and-soil-testing-labs\">information on soil testing<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Read and follow\u00a0all\u00a0label directions on the fertilizer bag.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Follow the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umd.edu\/resource\/lawn-fertilizer-schedule-table\">University of Maryland Extension&#8217;s lawn fertilizer schedule<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Do not apply phosphorus (indicated by the middle number on the fertilizer bag) to lawns unless a soil test shows that it is needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">If fertilizer lands on sidewalks or driveways, sweep it back onto the grass or clean it up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Keep fertilizer applications 10 to 15 feet away from waterways.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Do not apply fertilizer if heavy rain is predicted.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Observe fertilizer blackout dates between November 16 and March 1.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">For a helpful video with lawn care tips for the experts, click <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/bjSMskOK6zg?si=3dd6SIerR-NDxHpj\">here<\/a>. Additional information on Maryland\u2019s Lawn Fertilizer Law and fertilizer best management practices is available on the department\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/mda.maryland.gov\/Pages\/fertilizer.aspx\">website<\/a>. You can also visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umd.edu\/resource\/fertilizing-home-lawns\">University of Maryland Extension<\/a> for lawn fertilizer recommendations and additional tips.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\"># # #<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Faceboook <a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/mdagdept\">@MdAgDept<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 11, 2024) \u2013 The Maryland Department of Agriculture is reminding homeowners and lawn care professionals to follow Maryland&#8217;s Lawn Fertilizer Law when caring for lawns this spring. The law, which has been in effect for more than a dozen years, aims to protect local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay from excessive nutrients<a href=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2024\/04\/11\/protect-the-local-waterways-and-the-chesapeake-bay-follow-marylands-lawn-fertilizer-law\/\">&nbsp;&nbsp;Read the Rest&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":222,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/222"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28137"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28139,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28137\/revisions\/28139"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}