When are nitrogen fertilizer applications to turf prohibited in Maryland?

When are nitrogen fertilizer applications to turf prohibited in Maryland?

• A. When the ground is frozen or snow-covered, and after September 1
• B. In dry weather only
• C. During rainstorms
• D. When the unemployment rate rises

Answer: (A)

Restricting when and how nitrogen is applied to turf is all about preventing nutrient loss to water. In Maryland, nitrogen fertilizer should not be applied when the ground is frozen or snow-covered, because uptake by the grass is minimal and fertilizer can be lost to runoff or leaching as the snow melts or during thaw. The rule also prohibits applying nitrogen after September 1 to reduce the chance that nitrogen will be wasted or washed into waterways before the grass goes dormant in winter. This helps protect streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay from nutrient pollution. Dry weather or rainstorms aren’t the basis for this prohibition, and unrelated factors like unemployment aren’t relevant.

Restricting when and how nitrogen is applied to turf is all about preventing nutrient loss to water. In Maryland, nitrogen fertilizer should not be applied when the ground is frozen or snow-covered, because uptake by the grass is minimal and fertilizer can be lost to runoff or leaching as the snow melts or during thaw. The rule also prohibits applying nitrogen after September 1 to reduce the chance that nitrogen will be wasted or washed into waterways before the grass goes dormant in winter. This helps protect streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay from nutrient pollution. Dry weather or rainstorms aren’t the basis for this prohibition, and unrelated factors like unemployment aren’t relevant.