Maine residents shun lawn fertilizer, says survey

Augusta, Maine-Maine residents appear to be on their way to making their state the first to stop using fertilizer on lawns. A recent survey of Mainers by a Maine market research firm found that over 61 percent don’t fertilize their lawns. A group calling themselves YardScapers is claiming responsibility for starting the trend, insisting a plush green lawn motivates people to overuse fertilizer and insecticides, which impacts water quality. Laura Wilson with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service told Green Markets, “Our research data and a recent Maine Department of Environmental Protection survey both show that most people in Maine do not fertilize their lawns.” She said the overuse and misuse/misapplication of fertilizers could indeed be a threat to water quality. “I certainly hope that Mainers are starting a trend to fertilize only when it is necessary, and to apply products with care,” added Wilson, who reported that over 80 percent of lawns tested in the past five years did not need additional phosphorus.