Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/85697
chemical care one blanket law for fertilizers would not accurately address the objective of decreasing excess nitrogen levels in turf. Ken Mays, president of Scientifi c Plant Service, a lawncare company that services Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, lobbied the Chesapeake Bay Commission, presenting research demonstrating that controlled-release fertilizers provide nitrogen on an as-needed basis in turf. Perhaps the most persuasive piece of research considered by the Commission was this: During the course of a year, if you use a product with a polymer coating (controlled release), you'll end up applying up to 40 percent less nitrogen to turf compared to what you would with traditional products — getting fertilizer where it needs to be and, more important- ly, preventing it from going where it shouldn't. While the outcome of the Maryland legisla- tion was favorable for controlled-release fertilizers, manufacturers of coated products are gearing up to educate the market about the environmental benefi ts of using these products, especially now Controlled release fertilizers can save time and money during the course of a year. that fertilizer use in general has come under more scrutiny. Pennsylvania is expected to be the next state to enact a law simi- lar to Maryland, and Florida is trying to sew up its patchwork of locally enacted fertilizer restrictions. Currently, counties can specify application rates. "The issue is going to be- come a bigger concern as more states look at fertilizer restric- tions," says Ron Dekok, product marketing manager for Agrium Advanced Technologies. Maryland Case Study According to Maryland's new law, homeown- ers cannot use phosphorus fertilizer unless they are establishing or repairing turf and are prohibited from applying any fertilizer after November 15 or MORE where it matters most. In borders, beds and turf, Nufarm has more ways to give you what matters most to keep your business growing. MORE CONFIDENCE Use Escalade® consistent, no-surprises broadleaf weed control. 2 virtually any time, anywhere for MORE EASE Non-turf areas stay clean for months with one shot of 'stays-put' ProDeuce® Write 289 on Reader Service Card or visit TotalLandscapeCare.net/info . 50 TOTAL LANDSCAPE CARE / March 2012