§ 6-224. Restrictions on use and sale of fertilizer

   (a) Specialty fertilizer. -- Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any specialty fertilizer labeled for use on turf may not:

   (1) Result in an application of more than 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet of water-soluble nitrogen and no more than 0.9 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen, at least 20% of which shall consist of slow-release nitrogen, when applied in accordance with the instructions on the container;

   (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.

(b) Enhanced-efficiency fertilizer. -- An enhanced-efficiency fertilizer labeled for use on turf 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.

(c) Sale of specialty fertilizer. -- 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:

   (1) Results in an application of more than 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet of water-soluble nitrogen and no more than 0.9 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen, at least 20% of which shall consist of slow-release nitrogen, when applied in accordance with the instructions on the container; 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.

(d) Sale of organic or natural organic fertilizer. -- A person may offer to sell an organic or natural organic fertilizer containing phosphorus to a professional fertilizer applicator.

(e) Sale of enhanced-efficiency fertilizer. -- 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.

(f) Use as de-icer. -- A person may not offer to sell a commercial or specialty fertilizer product for use as a de-icer.

HISTORY: 2011, ch. 484, § 4; ch. 485, § 4.