330 CMR 31.05
Limitations on the Application of Phosphorus Containing Fertilizer; Requirements for the
Application of Plant Nutrients and Phosphorus Containing Fertilizer to Non-agricultural Turf
and Lawns
(1) The following shall apply to Phosphorus Containing Fertilizer:
(a) No Person may purchase and apply, or authorize any Person, by way of service contract or
other arrangement, to apply any Phosphorus Containing Fertilizer on Non-agricultural Turf or
Lawns except under the following conditions:
1. Soil Test, taken not more than three years before the application, indicates that additional
phosphorus is needed for growth; or
2.
The Phosphorus Containing Fertilizer is used to establish new Lawn or new
Non-agricultural Turf area.
A new Lawn or Non-agricultural Turf area shall be defined as bare ground or as part of
a Renovation. The use of phosphorus for these purposes shall be limited to the first growing
season.
(2) The following shall apply to Animal Manure, Fertilizer, Organic Compost, Natural Organic
Fertilizer, Biosolids, Agricultural Byproducts, Digestate, or combination thereof:
(a) The amount of nitrogen and phosphorus must be known and accounted for;
(b) A Soil Test is taken prior to the initial application;
(c) Application of these materials shall not exceed the maintenance phosphorus rates for
Non-agricultural Turf or Lawn as specified in UMass Guidelines; and
(d) The requirement in 330 CMR 31.05(2)(a), (b), and (c) shall not apply to:
1. A single application made within a 12 month period at an application rate not to exceed
0.25lbs of P O per 1,000 square feet; or
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2. Any product used containing 0.67% or less available P O .
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(3) In addition to the requirements of 330 CMR 31.00, any application of Biosolids to
Non-agricultural Turf and Lawns shall comply with the requirements of 310 CMR 32.00: Land
Application of Sludge and Septage.
(4) For applications of Plant Nutrients, including Phosphorus Containing Fertilizer, to Non-agricultural
Turf and Lawns, no applications shall be made:
(a) To Frozen Soil, Snow Covered Soil, Saturated Soil, Frequently Flooded Soils, or soils when
flooding is expected. An expectation of flooding includes, but is not limited to a prediction of Heavy
Rain;
(b) Within 20 feet of Surface Waters, if using a broadcast application method,
(c) Within ten feet of Surface Waters, if using a drop spreader or rotary spreader with a deflector
or a targeted spray;
(d) Within a Zone I of a Public Water Supply Well;
(e) Within 100 feet of Surface Waters that are used for public water supplies;
(f) In an amount that is inconsistent with the annual recommended rate established by the UMass
Guidelines for turf;
(g) To any Impervious Surface, including parking lots, roadways, and sidewalks, by means of
direct application, spills, overspray, or run-off to impervious areas;
1. if such direct application, spills, overspray, or run-off occurs, the product material must be
cleaned completely from the surface and be either:
2. contained or disposed of legally; or
3. applied to Non-agricultural Turf or Lawn as allowed.
(h) For the purpose of de-icing Impervious Surfaces; or
(i) To drought dormant, cold dormant, inactive or otherwise brown turf.
(5) Should UMass Guidelines not be available when referenced in 330 CMR 31.00, the applicator
or operator must follow the equivalent extension service standards or standard industry practices until
such time that UMass Guidelines become available.