Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/85697
chemical care before March 1. In addition, the law restricts the amount and type of nitrogen that can be used in fertilizer, specifying at least 20 percent of nitrogen in fertilizers be slow-release. For professional applicators, the law is more fl exible, allow- beginning in 2013. Early drafts of the law called for even stricter regulations that would have severely limited rates of nitrogen, as well, because the Chesapeake Bay Commission, which worked with various groups to reach an agreement on the measure, did not initially take into consideration slow-release fertilizer op- tions in their early assessments. Other states are looking to follow Maryland's example, and it could mean a whole new way of doing business for turf managers. ing the application of fertilizer through December 1, but only if water-soluble nitrogen is used and applied at a reduced rate. Profession- als may also continue, for now, to apply organic fertilizer that contains phospho- rus but will be confi ned to limited amounts "Originally, they were looking only at tradi- tional fertilizers," Mays says. "If they had passed the laws as fi rst proposed, we would have had to shut down." He lobbied to create rates more in line for what they need to be for controlled-release products — rates that would keep professional applicators in the MORE PROFIT High-performance grub control at a great value with Mallet® . MORE PROTECTION Fend off tree-killing invasives like Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer with drench-applied Mallet® . MORE FLEXIBILITY Spray on even the coolest days without sacrificing weed control with Cool Power® . Collaborate. Create. Succeed. www.nufarm.com/usto ©2012 Nufarm. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Cool Power®, Escalade®, Mallet® and ProDeuce® are trademarks of Nufarm. March 2012 / TOTAL LANDSCAPE CARE 51