Lansing, Mich.-The state’s lawn care and landscape industry says it has no problem with the ban on using fertilizers with phosphorus on residential and commercial lawns that was approved by the legislature. On Jan. 1, 2012, Michigan will be joining Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, and Illinois, which already have the restrictions to protect the Great Lakes from nutrient runoff. According to Amy Frankmann, executive director of the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Assn., the landscape industry supported the legislation, although the new law still allows local ordinances more restrictive than the state’s to remain in effect. The legislation permits golf courses to continue to use phosphorus if they have appropriate state certification and trained staff. Agricultural operations would be exempt. New lawns would be allowed phosphorus, but a soil test would be required for any residential lawns that homeowners think need additional phosphorus. Retailers would have to stop displaying phosphorus fertilizer, but could make it available upon request if they provide instructions about the new law. Violators would be subject to fines ranging from $50 to $1,000.
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