March 23rd, 2014 | Posted by John Rice in Fertilizers - (Comments Off on Changes to Lawn Fertilization Programs)
- The excess nitrogen and phosphorous coming off our lawns when we irrigate or when it rains is increasingly an issue for our towns. Think new sewage plants that you hear about going in all the time and the increase tax bill. All synthetic fertilizers are water-soluble—so they leach out into storm water run-off and/or the water table. Towns are mandated to clean up that polluted water and the algae filled ponds, lakes, rivers, etc.
- Massachusetts has become the 13th state to pass a law restricting nitrogen and phosphorous use by professionals. We will be abiding by the new regulations. If you hire an outside contractor to fertilize please make sure they are using the new guidelines. This new law is about keeping our drinking water safe as well as reducing pollution clean-up costs.
- Guys, don’t panic, you can still have green lawns. We just have been using to much nitrogen and phosphorous. There are water insoluble fertilizers that don’t run off, providing nutrients for the roots, as they are needed.
- Speaking of lawns; Crab Grass. Consider seeding your bare spots now so you have a nice lawn rather than spending the money every year on crab grass preemergence killer and post emergence killers. Both pre & post crab grass killers do not promote healthy lawns, they weaken your lawn and that in turn has you get more crab grass in your lawn. It’s a perfect catch 22.
