(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any specialty fertilizer labeled for use on turf, when applied in accordance with the instructions on the container, may not:
(1) Result in an application of:
(i) More than 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet of water-soluble nitrogen; or
(ii) More than 0.9 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen, at least 20% of which shall consist of slow-release nitrogen;
(2) Contain phosphorus, except:
(i) For organic and natural organic fertilizer sold to a professional fertilizer applicator; or
(ii) When specifically labeled for the following purposes:
1. Providing nutrients to specific soils and target vegetation as determined to be necessary in accordance with a soil test that was:
A. Conducted by a laboratory identified under § 8-803.7 of this article; and
B. Performed no more than 3 years before the application;
2. Establishing vegetation for the first time, such as after land disturbance, provided the application is conducted in accordance with the recommended application rates established by the State; or
3. Reestablishing or repairing a turf area; and
(3) Be labeled for use as a de-icer.
Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers
(b) An enhanced-efficiency fertilizer labeled for use on turf, when applied in accordance with the instructions on the container, may not:
(1) Result in an annual application of more than 2.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen;
(2) Result in an application of more than 80% of the annual recommended rate for total nitrogen established by the University of Maryland; or
(3) Have a release rate of more than 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen per month.
Prohibitions
(c) Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, a person may not offer to sell specialty fertilizer for use on turf that, when applied in accordance with the instructions on the container:
(1) Results in an application of:
(i) More than 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet of water-soluble nitrogen; or
(ii) More than 0.9 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen, at least 20% of which shall consist of slow-release nitrogen; and
(2) Contains phosphorus and is intended for use on turf unless the intended use of the fertilizer is:
(i) For application to specific soils and turf as determined to be necessary pursuant to a soil test conducted by a laboratory identified in § 8-803.7 of this article and performed no more than 3 years before the application, provided the application complies with recommended application rates established by the University of Maryland;
(ii) For the establishment of turf for the first time, such as after land disturbance, provided the application complies with recommended application rates established by the University of Maryland; or
(iii) For the reestablishment or repair of a turf area.
Professional applicators
(d) A person may offer to sell an organic or natural organic fertilizer containing phosphorus to a professional fertilizer applicator.
Prohibitions
(e) A person may not offer to sell enhanced-efficiency fertilizer for use on turf that:
(1) Results in an annual application of more than 2.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen;
(2) Results in an application of more than 80% of the annual recommended rate for total nitrogen established by the University of Maryland; or
(3) Has a release rate of more than 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen per month.
De-icers
(f) A person may not offer to sell a commercial or specialty fertilizer product for use as a de-icer.
Credits
Added by Acts 2011, c. 484, § 4, eff. Oct. 1, 2013; Acts 2011, c. 485, § 4, eff. Oct. 1, 2013. Amended by Acts 2014, c. 11, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2014.
MD Code, Agriculture, § 6-224, MD AGRIC § 6-224
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
