Early spring means get that pre-emergent down early

[corky101]

I think if you wait until April, you're going to be too late. Last year I was too late and my entire lawn was crab grass.

I wonder what the purpose of that law is since it's all weather dependent and not date dependent.

As for my gardens, the ones in the front are okay, but in the back the weeds are covering 90% of the dirt. I usually preen, but now I have to pull and then preen...

[okaydorothy]

The reasoning is that with cold weather, the nitrogen does not get taken in by the plants. The dates were put into place by the dec as far as I know.

[nancy thereader]

. Between Nov 1st and April 1st, it is against the law to put down anything with nitrogen in Suffolk Co ; maybe in Nassau but I dont know.

When was this law enacted? Does anyone know why this is?

[pjes]

The law took effect January of this year. The thinking behind it is that people use way too much fertilizer on their lawns, so it ends up running off into the wetlands. Especially bad is using fertilizer too early in the year, that makes the grass grow alot on top and not enough roots. Then when the dry weather comes the grass turns brown and people put down more fertilizer. The law trys to force people to wait until the grass will actually grow roots with the nutrients, so the lawn needs less

[Jetties]

Originally Posted by okaydorothy

The reasoning is that with cold weather, the nitrogen does not get taken in by the plants. The dates were put into place by the dec as far as I know.

So other than being illegal (and tough to enforce), why worry about it considering the very warm weather we are having?

[SilverBulletZ06]

Done this morning. Stuck to the morning dew, but I already see a few sprouts of crabgrass already!!!

[okaydorothy]

Because I used to be in the industry and I did comply with the regulations.

[kacike]

Does this law apply to landscapers only? i was told by someone that as a homeowner you are allowed to do it whenever you want. Who is checking this anyway? I am putting mine down this weekend. I think putting fertilizer/pre-emergent down too early is a very bad idea.