Fertilizer

There are two general types of fertilizer products:

• Fertilizer without pesticides - These are products that contain only plant nutrients and do not require special disposal.
  
• Fertilizer with pesticides - Those products containing pesticides are labeled with words such as "pre-emergent," "weed preventer," "weed and feed," "plus 2," "insect control," "disease control," etc.  These products should not be thrown in the garbage and should be disposed of as pesticides.

Reduction Tips

• Have your soil tested to determine fertilizer needs.  Visit the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory web site regarding "Taking a Soil Sample" regarding why and how to submit a soil sample for testing.
• Leave grass clippings on the lawn. Reduce the need for fertilizer application during the growing season.
• Buy and use only what you need.  Using twice as much fertilizer does not work twice as well.  In fact, it can burn plant roots and make the plant more susceptible to disease and insect damage.  Using too much may increase the chance of fertilizer run-off.
• Choose phosphorous-free lawn fertilizer.  Fertilizer containing phosphorous has been banned from use on residential lawns in Minnesota, unless the soil has been tested and found to be deficient in phosphorous or if a new lawn is being established.
• Follow application instructions.
• Use up all fertilizer products or give excess usable product to someone else to use up.

For more information on fertilizers, visit the University of Minnesota Extension website regarding "Characteristics of Natural and Manufactured Fertilizers for Lawns," and "Preventing Pollution Problems from Lawn and Garden Fertilizers."