Maryland Fertilizer Law

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.

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.

For more information:  http://www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/FertilizerLaw_Facts_final.pdf