Cutoff Date For Fertilizing Lawns is December 1

LongIsland.com

If you plan to fertilize your lawn this fall, remember that New York has a state law that restricts the use of lawn fertilizers.

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Some areas also have local laws about selling and using lawn fertilizers.

Photo by: DEC.

Albany, NY - November 11, 2016 - If you plan to fertilize your lawn this fall, remember that New York has a state law that restricts the use of lawn fertilizers. It is against the law to fertilize lawns between December 1 and April 1. Some areas also have local laws about selling and using lawn fertilizers (e.g., Suffolk County prohibits the application of lawn fertilizers after November 1).  

Visit DEC’s Dishwasher Detergent and Nutrient Runoff Law webpage for more information. The law does not apply to agricultural fertilizer or fertilizer for gardens.

Choose a lawn fertilizer with no phosphorus.

Lawn fertilizer can have unnecessary phosphorus that runs into waterbodies. Excess phosphorus in freshwater lakes and ponds can cause algae overgrowth, with serious impacts to the environment and public health.