Delaware News

Winter application of fertilizer and manure regulated in Delaware

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Monday, December 8, 2014



DOVER – Delaware farmers, lawn care companies, golf courses and other nutrient handlers should not apply nutrients to the ground during the winter months, the Delaware Department of Agriculture says in a reminder.

State regulations adopted by the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission in 2007 prohibit certified nutrient handlers from applying commercial and manure-based fertilizer from Dec. 7 to Feb. 15, the time of year most vulnerable for nutrient runoff. Application may also not occur on snow-covered or frozen ground, or on impervious surfaces such as sidewalks, roads or other paved areas.

“Most rain runoff occurs in the winter and spring, so this is the prime season,” said Nutrient Management Program Administrator Larry Towle. “Protecting nutrients from runoff during the winter is imperative.”

Failure to comply with the winter application regulations may result in a compliance and enforcement hearing before the commission.

# # #

Media contact:

Dan Shortridge
Chief of Community Relations
Delaware Department of Agriculture
302-698-4520
daniel.shortridge@delaware.gov

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Winter application of fertilizer and manure regulated in Delaware

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Monday, December 8, 2014



DOVER – Delaware farmers, lawn care companies, golf courses and other nutrient handlers should not apply nutrients to the ground during the winter months, the Delaware Department of Agriculture says in a reminder.

State regulations adopted by the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission in 2007 prohibit certified nutrient handlers from applying commercial and manure-based fertilizer from Dec. 7 to Feb. 15, the time of year most vulnerable for nutrient runoff. Application may also not occur on snow-covered or frozen ground, or on impervious surfaces such as sidewalks, roads or other paved areas.

“Most rain runoff occurs in the winter and spring, so this is the prime season,” said Nutrient Management Program Administrator Larry Towle. “Protecting nutrients from runoff during the winter is imperative.”

Failure to comply with the winter application regulations may result in a compliance and enforcement hearing before the commission.

# # #

Media contact:

Dan Shortridge
Chief of Community Relations
Delaware Department of Agriculture
302-698-4520
daniel.shortridge@delaware.gov

image_printPrint


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.