PARK RAPIDS, Minn. -- Local merchants and turf professionals are getting ready for the statewide ban on phosphorous fertilizer, which goes into effect at the beginning of the year.
Minnesota is the first state in the nation to ban the use of residential fertilizer containing phosphorous. The governor signed a bill May 10 banning statewide use of such fertilizer purchased at retail after Aug. 1, beginning Jan. 1, 2005.
Minnesota is the first state in the nation to ban the use of residential fertilizer containing phosphorous. The governor signed a bill May 10 banning statewide use of such fertilizer purchased at retail after Aug. 1, beginning Jan. 1, 2005.
Although it will soon be illegal to use phosphorous fertilizer, it won’t be illegal to sell it. However, Brad Dahn, owner of Park Ace Hardware, says the store will eventually stop stocking the product on its shelves.
“We’ll probably just phase it out,” he said. “We’re going to have to educate people, too. We’re kind of weaning people off it.”
Dahn said sales of phosphorous-free fertilizers have increased steadily in the past few months.
“Up until now the phosphorous-free has been quite a bit more expensive,” Dahn said. “This year I’ve noticed the price of phosphorus-free is right is line with the regular. It’s so close now that people don’t mind (paying more).”
“Up until now the phosphorous-free has been quite a bit more expensive,” Dahn said. “This year I’ve noticed the price of phosphorus-free is right is line with the regular. It’s so close now that people don’t mind (paying more).”
Paul Utke, owner of Utke’s Hardware, agrees that the transition to phosphorous-free should be easy on consumers.
“It’s being placed at reasonable rates now, but a few years ago it was much more expensive,” he said. “As the change is forced upon everybody I’m sure the price will become very competitive. I’m sure people will start to use it.”
The statewide ban came in response to a 2002 Twin Cities ban on residential phosphorous fertilizer. Lawmakers there tried to fight algae growth in lakes within the city limits.
Phosphorus that leaks into lakes and streams aids algae growth, which can dramatically alter a waterway’s ecosystem. Some experts say one pound of phosphorus can produce up to 700 pounds of algae.
Golf courses can still use phosphorous fertilizer if it is applied by someone “licensed, certified or approved by an organization with an ongoing training program,” according to the bill. Phosphorous can also still be used in agriculture and with new sod.
Blueberry Pines Golf Course Superintendent Jeff Yungbauer says he uses phosphorus fertilizer on the course and doesn’t plan on switching.
“The amount of phosphorous we use compared to a lawn is minimal,” he said. “We put (fertilizer) over 160 acres, and we use very little. If we were to use the same percentage as people use on their lawns, we would be polluting everything.”
Phosphorus that leaks into lakes and streams aids algae growth, which can dramatically alter a waterway’s ecosystem. Some experts say one pound of phosphorus can produce up to 700 pounds of algae.
Golf courses can still use phosphorous fertilizer if it is applied by someone “licensed, certified or approved by an organization with an ongoing training program,” according to the bill. Phosphorous can also still be used in agriculture and with new sod.
Blueberry Pines Golf Course Superintendent Jeff Yungbauer says he uses phosphorus fertilizer on the course and doesn’t plan on switching.
“The amount of phosphorous we use compared to a lawn is minimal,” he said. “We put (fertilizer) over 160 acres, and we use very little. If we were to use the same percentage as people use on their lawns, we would be polluting everything.”
Yungbauer said he regularly tests soil and water samples to make sure the phosphorous levels are where they should be. He said the course is low on phosphorous to begin with, so adding more is necessary. Plus, the course is protected from dangerous runoff.
“When it rains hard or you irrigate, the runoff from your lawn drains into storm sewers and then into lakes,” Yungbauer said. “We have natural catch areas that we let grow thick, so when it rains the runoff is naturally filtered.”
“When it rains hard or you irrigate, the runoff from your lawn drains into storm sewers and then into lakes,” Yungbauer said. “We have natural catch areas that we let grow thick, so when it rains the runoff is naturally filtered.”
Yungbauer insists he would never compromise the environment for an attractive fairway.
“I live south and east of here, and the water from the course goes south and east, so what I put on the grass here ends up in my well,” he said. “I don’t play around.”
Dahn said most consumers aren’t completely aware of the difference between fertilizers with phosphorous and those without.
“About a third of the people really know about it,” he said. “The stuff you notice is the nitrogen. That’s what makes grass green and really grow. Phosphorous just makes for healthier grass.”
“About a third of the people really know about it,” he said. “The stuff you notice is the nitrogen. That’s what makes grass green and really grow. Phosphorous just makes for healthier grass.”
Utke believes that while too much phosphorus is harmful to the environment, the fertilizer ban may not be the best solution.
“I still feel the biggest thing in fertilizer is having people be educated,” he said.
”Rather than going phosphorus-free, just use it in proper amounts. Cutting out phosphorous is like going on a diet— you cut out some foods, and you may cut out something you really need.”
“I still feel the biggest thing in fertilizer is having people be educated,” he said.
”Rather than going phosphorus-free, just use it in proper amounts. Cutting out phosphorous is like going on a diet— you cut out some foods, and you may cut out something you really need.”
Utke plans on scaling back sales of regular fertilizer, but isn’t worried about losing business.
“I can see next year we won’t stock phosphorus lawn fertilizer,” he said. “The manufacturers know the laws and they’ll make compatible products. They’ll make it easy on us.”
“I can see next year we won’t stock phosphorus lawn fertilizer,” he said. “The manufacturers know the laws and they’ll make compatible products. They’ll make it easy on us.”
Consumers can check the amount of phosphorus in fertilizers by looking on the package for a series of three numbers, which represent the percentages of nitrogen, phosphate (phosphorous) and potassium, respectively. A zero in the middle indicates a phosphorous-free product.