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~~~ Reduce Waste If not you, who? <br />~~~~~~ <br />YOUR LAWN AND THE ENVIRONMENT <br />a q ~ ~~~ <br />c C ~ - .~H <br />,~~''~ ~~ ~~i~ t_ ."'~, ~: ...EI fit, ~t~ <br />Minnesota has recently passed a statewide law that restricts <br />the use of lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus, the primary <br />nutrient that turns lakes green with algae. <br />New Phosph®rtas Law <br />Starting January i, ZooS, fertilizers containing <br />phosphorus cannot be used on lawns in Minnesota. <br />This is an expansion of the current state law that <br />restricts the use of phosphorus in the Twin Cities <br />metro area. Look for the middle number on a bag of <br />fertilizer. It should be zero (o). <br />Keep fertilizer off paved surfaces: It's illegal to <br />spread any fertilizer on hard surfaces such as streets, <br />sidewalks, and driveways. Rain can wash the fertilizer <br />into nearby storm drains or road ditches, eventually <br />getting into a lake or river near you. If you acciden- <br />tally spill or spread fertilizer on a hard surface, clean <br />it up immediately. <br />Exemptions <br />Fertilizers containing phosphorus may <br />be used on lawns if a soil test indicates <br />that it is needed or if you are establish- <br />ing anew lawn. <br />These restrictions do not apply to <br />fertilizers used for agricultural crops, <br />flower and vegetable gardening, or on <br />golf courses by trained staff. <br />ll tF 'll l'~.i <br />r <br />~~ ~ ~. <br />i '~ ~r,' a.~ ~,, `~. <br />I ~ ~~~'" ~ ,.~, ~ e , ~ <br />~~,, <br />r~ ~~ ,~' Will phosphorl~s- <br />~~ free fertilizer keep <br />"=~ my lawn healthy? <br /> <br />~~ ~~' Soils in most parts of <br />' ~ Minnesota already have <br /> <br />-. ~t"4 .~~~' <br />°'~~ ~ an adequate amount <br />~ phosphorus to grow a <br /> healthy lawn. In these <br /> instances, adding more <br /> phosphorus in fertilizer is <br /> not needed and will not <br /> benefit your lawn. <br />THE PROBLEM: T00 GREEN <br />-~~. <br />_ =~:•~ <br />MORE PHOSPHORUS, LESS FISH T00 mUCh <br />algae lowers oxygen levels and darkens the <br />water. This can have a devastating effect <br />on fish populations. <br />What to look for <br />On any bag or box of fertilizer, <br />there is a string of three numbers. <br />The middle number indicates <br />phosphorus content and should <br />read "0". <br />.,=.~ , . <br />~,. <br />~~ ~ ~ ~,~ , <br />~,-,~ ~ , <br />~~ , <br />~~~ <br />~~ fC <br />~~ t~ <br />-~~ ' , <br />a" <br />DO 7HE GREEN THING: FERTILIZE RESPONSIBLY Most garden centers and <br />hardware stores carry phosphorus-free lawn fertilizers. <br />