The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminded residents and lawn care professionals on April 1 to comply with the state’s Lawn Fertilizer Law during spring lawn care. The law aims to protect local streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay from runoff caused by fertilizer use in non-agricultural areas such as home lawns, parks, golf courses, and businesses.
This reminder is important because improper fertilizer use can negatively impact water quality in local waterways and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. The department said that both homeowners and professionals play a role in reducing nutrient pollution.
“Fertilizer products provide nutrients for healthy grass, but overusing them can harm local streams and the Chesapeake Bay,” Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks said. “By following Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law, residents and lawn care professionals can maintain healthy lawns and cleaner, healthier waterways.”
The department advises anyone hiring a professional for lawn fertilization to ensure they are certified by its Turfgrass Nutrient Management Program or supervised by someone who is certified. A list of certified professionals is available on the department’s website. Certified individuals receive training in responsible application techniques designed to protect water quality.
Homeowners who fertilize their own lawns are encouraged to watch an instructional video provided by the department for best practices. More information about Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law as well as recommendations from the University of Maryland Extension are available online.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture operates throughout Maryland with its headquarters at 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway in Annapolis, according to the official website. The agency contributes to public welfare through food safety inspections, animal health monitoring, farmer education programs, promotion of agricultural products locally and globally, support for farmers including new entrants into agriculture, and educational outreach highlighting agriculture’s economic importance according to the official website.
As concerns about environmental protection continue across the state, officials say that proper fertilizer use remains an important step toward cleaner waterways.
