Proper Fertilization Helps Turfgrass Fulfill its Role in Protecting the Environment.

Based on requests for information about the science behind turfgrass BMPs, scientists in Florida reviewed the national literature to learn more about research on fertilization of turfgrass and potential problems with nutrient losses from turfgrass systems. One goal was to determine if there were scientific reports regarding a summer-restricted period against fertilization. The resulting paper "Urban Water Quality and Fertilizer Ordinances: Avoiding Unintended Consequences: A Review of the Scientific Literature" was published in Florida Extension literature (Hochmuth, G. et al. 2011), which was followed by a peer-reviewed article (Hochmuth, G. et al. 2012). This article summarizes some of the major findings of these papers along with a few of the major supporting publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]