Improving water quality in local water bodies and in large systems like the Chesapeake Bay by reducing the amount of nutrients (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) entering the system has become increasingly important. One potential solution to this problem has been to manage the amount of nutrients that are being applied to the landscape. The agriculture community has been practicing this type of management for years. Recently, the focus has expanded to look at urban areas, specifically, lawns, athletic fields and golf courses. These often highly managed landscapes offer significant opportunity to address water quality impacts by matching the needs of the plants or turf to the amount of fertilizer being applied. The goal of this practice is to apply only the amount of fertilizer needed to keep the vegetation healthy and prevent runoff or leaching. Residential lawns and athletic fields can be particularly challenging to manage nutrients on because of highly compacted soils and homeowner practices. This webcast will explore how the management of nutrients on residential lawns and athletic fields impacts water quality, the relevance to regulatory systems like Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and MS4 permits, management tools and recommendations to improve soils, how to reduce fertilizer inputs without sacrificing turf quality, how turf professionals communicate with their clients and how local and state governments can work with the turf and landscape industry to promote urban nutrient management.
Please note: if you are having trouble registering for the webcast, simply email Cecilia Lane, watershedgal@hotmail.com and she will get you registered right away!
Managing Nutrients in Residential and Recreational Areas Webcast Slides
Slides from the the webcast, Managing Nutrients in Residential and Recreational Areas, which aired on October 22, 2015
Version october 22, 2015 | Size (10 MB) |
File type (.pdf) |
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Webcast Resources
U-5 Urban Nutrient Management Fact Sheet
A 'fact sheet' on using Urban Nutrient Management as an urban BMP in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Version august 2015 | Size (395 KB) |
File type (.pdf) |
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Recommendations of the Expert Panel to Define Removal Rates for Urban Nutrient Management
The short report of the Chesapeake Bay Program approved recommendations of the Expert Panel to Define Removal Rates for Urban Nutrient Management. This version does not include the appendices.
Version march 25, 2014 | Size (2 MB) |
File type (.pdf) |
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Implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) to Reduce Runoff and Lawn Fertilizer Use
A website from the Penn State University College of Ag Sciences Department of Plant Science.
This manual was developed to give lawn care professionals a comprehensive knowledge of the processes involved, an understanding of the science and reasoning behind the processes, and the skill set needed to pass Maryland’s Professional Fertilizer Applicator Certification Exam.
Version june 2013 | Size (9 MB) |
File type (.pdf) |
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Fact Sheet TT-115: Fertilizer Recommendations for Commercially Maintained Lawns and Turfgrass in Maryland
The information in this fact sheet is intended to serve as a nutrient management guideline for the maintenance of commercially maintained turfgrass sites in an efficient, effective, and environmentally sound manner, and to meet state regulatory requirements.
Version april 2013 | Size (488 KB) |
File type (.pdf) |
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Fact Sheet TT-116: Nutrient Management Guidelines for Commercial Turfgrass Seeding
When establishing a new site by seeding turfgrass, proper fertilization at the time of establishment is essential for obtaining a satisfactory stand of turfgrass for both the short and long-term. This fact sheet advises the proper fertilization procedures during commercial turfgrass seeding.
Version august 2005 | Size (148 KB) |
File type (.pdf) |
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Fact Sheet TT-118: Nutrient Management Guidelines for Golf Courses in Maryland
The following information serves as a nutrient management guideline for the maintenance of golf courses in Maryland.
Version december 2013 | Size (3 MB) |
File type (.pdf) |
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Fact Sheet TT-119: Nutrient Management Guidelines for Athletic Fields in Maryland
The following information serves as a nutrient management guideline for the maintenance of athletic fields in Maryland.
Version june 2014 | Size (8 MB) |
File type (.pdf) |
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Maryland Fertilizer Law
This chapter explains the requirements and training applicable to persons who apply nutrients to land that is not used for agricultural purposes.
Version july 2014 | Size (238 KB) |
File type (.pdf) |
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Virginia Resources
Virginia Urban Nutrient Management Handbook
This handbook provides a series of chapters devoted to the challenges associated with water quality protection in an urban environment. It presents extensive information on the basic principles in soil and plant sciences, fertility and fertilizers, plant management, soil amendments, equipment calibration for fertilizer delivery, irrigation sources and quality, and stormwater management.
Version may 2011 | Size (16 MB) |
File type (.pdf) |
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Virginia Nutrient Management Training and Certification Regulations
This chapter governs the department's voluntary Nutrient Management Training and Certification Program for individuals who prepare nutrient management plans.
Virginia Nutrient Management Standards and Criteria
This handbook provides a series of chapters devoted to the challenges associated with water quality protection in an urban environment. It presents extensive information on the basic principles in soil and plant sciences, fertility and fertilizers, plant management, soil amendments, equipment calibration for fertilizer delivery, irrigation sources and quality, and stormwater management.
Version july, 2014 | Size (2 MB) |
File type (.pdf) |
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Virginia Urban Nutrient Management Program Website
Website for Virginia Urban Nutrient Management Program