Supervisor Specht Educates Ramapo on How To’s of Safe Fertilizer Application

By M. C. Millman

Michael Specht wants to bring awareness to Ramapo homeowners on the rules of applying fertilizer safely and efficiently.

Using it correctly is critical as over-fertilized lawns cause an excess of phosphorus in water bodies, ultimately leading to harmful algal blooms, and harming human health and aquatic ecosystems. 

As a reminder, the Rockland County Lawn Fertilizer Regulation Act of 2009 states that no person shall apply fertilizer from December 1 to April 1; to any impervious surface; to any lawn or turf within 50 feet of any surface water except where a continuous 10-foot minimum natural vegetative buffer separates the lawn or turf area and the surface water. 

Additionally, fertilizer containing phosphorus cannot be used unless the turf or lawn area has been soil tested to confirm the need for additional phosphorous. Most soils in Rockland County have adequate phosphorus. If the soil test confirms the need for phosphorous, note that the amount applied cannot exceed the amount and rate recommended by the test. Soil tests are available at Cornell Cooperative Extension, Rockland County. 

There are exceptions to this rule, such as agricultural uses and applications to trees, shrubs, and vegetable and flower gardens. 

For additional information, See the Rockland County Fact Sheet on fertilizer at http://rocklandcce.org/fact-sheets.