Using proper fertilization practices is important to reduce or eliminate nitrogen pollution, which harms Long Island’s groundwater and waterbodies. Fertilizer is generally used on two types of land categories. One being turf grass, which includes lawns, parks, and recreational areas (golf courses, soccer fields, etc.). The other category is agriculture, which can comprise a variety of sectors including crops, wineries, sod, animal operations, and others.
Fertilizer is the second-leading source of nitrogen entering Long Island’s surface and ground waters. The Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP) is working to determine the best management practices for fertilizer use through our partnerships. LINAP will evaluate the effectiveness of existing strategies to minimize the impact of nitrogen from fertilizers on Long Island’s waterbodies. It will also determine if additional fertilizer management strategies might be valuable in some or all watersheds to reduce nitrogen load.
Turf Grass Fertilizer Recommendations
LINAP prepared fertilizer recommendations (PDF) to help property owners reduce the environmental impact of their lawn and other grassed areas. These recommendations are available for download and can be printed for personal and professional use.
These recommendations were developed with input from the LINAP Fertilizer Management Workgroup. Multiple workgroup meetings were held with attendance from various sectors, including landscapers, fertilizer manufactures, golf courses, environmental groups, and state and county government, and the meetings provided a forum for healthy discussions on various turf grass fertilizer topics.
Fertilizer Fact Sheets
The two primary ways to ensure fertilizer is not contributing to nitrogen pollution is to apply fertilizer at the correct time of the year and to make sure that irrigation is done correctly. LINAP developed a fact sheet on each topic to help homeowners care for their lawns and minimize their environmental impact.
The fact sheets are available for download and can be printed for personal and professional use.
Fertilizer Timing fact sheet (PDF)
Fertilizer Irrigation fact sheet (PDF)
Fertilizer Management Workgroup
LINAP’s Fertilizer Management Workgroup is comprised of members of the various sectors including landscapers, fertilizer manufactures, golf courses, environmental groups, and state and county government. The workgroup’s purpose includes: acting as a forum to understand and make people aware of actions taken to date by the various industries to reduce fertilizer pollution; and identifying actions that can be taken looking forward to further reduce nitrogen pollution from fertilizer use. The workgroup is not a decision-making body but promotes information exchange and idea sharing, as well as advising the Project Management Team in developing fertilizer management recommendations.
Sector Meetings
A set of fertilizer workgroup meetings were held in June 2017 with the four key sectors/industries: golf courses, landscapers, fertilizer manufacturers, and agriculture. The purpose of the meetings was to examine the results of the fertilizer workgroup questionnaires and review initiatives by each sector to reduce fertilizer nitrogen use.
Notes from each sector meeting are available for download below. Please note that these notes capture, to the best of our ability, the statements made, and opinions voiced at these meetings. The purpose of posting these notes is to ensure transparency in the LINAP workgroup process. These notes should not be used as a reference document. The statements in these documents are not necessarily supported or endorsed by NYSDEC or LIRPC.
Fertilizer Workgroup Second Meeting Notes – Golf Courses (PDF, 167 KB)
Fertilizer Workgroup Second Meeting Notes – Landscaping & Grounds (PDF, 146 KB)
Fertilizer Workgroup Second Meeting Notes – Manufacturers (PDF, 284 KB)
Fertilizer Workgroup Second Meeting Notes – Agriculture (PDF, 228 KB)
Questionnaire Summaries
Following the first workgroup meeting in December 2016, questionnaires corresponding with fertilizer topics listed in the LINAP scope were completed by workgroup members. Summaries of the responses to each questionnaire are available for download:
Fertilizer Formulations and Application Questionnaire Summary (PDF, 335 KB)
Fertilizer Regulations Questionnaire Summary (PDF, 289 KB)
Nutrient Recycling Questionnaire Summary (PDF, 241 KB)
Management Measures to Reduce Fertilizer Requirements Questionnaire Summary (PDF, 226 KB)
Use of Native Plants to Reduce Fertilizer Questionnaire Summary (PDF, 300 KB)
