Many of you may not know about the new state fertilization law that was passed in 2011. If you hire a landscape contractor to apply fertilizer to your lawn, that contractor must be certified to apply any type of fertilizer.
One of the reasons for this law is due to the water pollution from the nitrogen and phosphorus in the ground and in the fertilizers that are applied. This can become complicated for some but the main purpose of this law is to maximize the amount of pounds per thousand square foot that can be applied, per application or a total annually. Some of you may be inclined to utilize organic material. However, organic material does have nitrogen and phosphorus and it must be applied accordingly. Most fertilizers commercially purchased do not have phosphorus in them.
The state has set specific times that fertilizer can be applied by property owners and a certified applicator. If you do it yourself, please read the label correctly on the product you are applying.
As we see it, the state again has regulated another service that can be beneficial but it does come with a cost to us contractors. As with our pesticide and irrigation licenses, we will have to maintain continuing education credits (CEU) to maintain our certifications.
If you hire someone to do a service, please make sure they are certified/licensed in whatever they are being hired to do. In most cases, they are the ones who are up to date on proper techniques, education and safety for you and our environment.
You can view a list of certified contractors that includes us (see under John Meyer at Wet ‘n’ Green) at profact.rutgers.edu.