(A) Fertilizers.
(1) Fertilizing is prohibited between November 15 and April 1 due to frozen soil conditions. Lot owners who fertilize should have their soil tested at least once every three years by a soil test laboratory such as the University of Minnesota to determine the proper amounts of nitrogen and potassium to be applied.
(2) Fertilizer, yard waste or grass clippings must not be cast up or applied to an impervious surface such as a driveway, sidewalk or street. If this material is inadvertently spilled upon a surface, it should be swept and cleaned from the surface or piled in drainage ways. Whenever possible property owners shall use fertilizers with a half-life of seven days. A listing of fertilizers which meet this requirement of this subchapter will be available at the City Hall.
(3) The use of fertilizer on vegetable or flower gardens is prohibited in the buffer zone.
(B) Compost sites. Compost sites shall not be permitted within any buffer zone.
(C) Phosphorus.
(1) General. Fertilizers containing phosphorus are prohibited on lawns unless the soil is demonstrably phosphorus deficient. Phosphorus may be applied if the following conditions apply or are met:
(a) A tissue, soil or other test by a laboratory or method approved by the Commissioner and performed within the last three years indicates that the level of available phosphorus in the soil is insufficient to support healthy turf growth;
(b) The property owner or an agent of the property owner is first establishing turf via seed or sod procedures, and only during the first growing season;
(c) The fertilizer containing the plant food phosphorus is used on a golf course under the direction of a person licensed, certified or approved by an organization with an ongoing training program approved by the Commissioner; and
(d) Applications of phosphorus fertilizer authorized under divisions (C)(1)(a) through (C)(1)(c) above must not exceed rates recommended by the University of Minnesota and approved by the Commissioner.
(2) Flower and vegetable gardens. Fertilizer containing no more than 3% phosphorus is permitted on flower and vegetable gardens not located within the designated buffer zone.
(D) Nitrogen.
(1) Application of more than two pounds actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn per year on low maintenance lawns applied at one pound in the spring and one pound in the fall and of more than four pounds actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn per year on high maintenance lawns applied at two pounds in the spring and two pounds in the fall is prohibited unless the lot owner has a written recommendation from a competent professional based upon a reliable soil test for higher nitrogen applications.
(2) Only 50% controlled slow-release nitrogen organic fertilizer may be used. The use of quick-release nitrogen is prohibited.
(3) If nitrogen is applied at rates greater than those specified in division (D)(1) above, the lot owner must provide copies of the written recommendation required therein to the City Forester.
(E) Pesticides (insecticides, herbicides and fungicides).
(1) The use of chemical pesticides shall be in accordance with their label.
(2) Before using chemical pesticides, the lot owner must consult the state’s extension services, the county’s Conservation District or other competent professional to diagnose properly the pests, disease or other vegetative problems, and to determine if pesticide use is justified or if there are other control options.
(3) When consultation as provided under division (E)(2) above has determined that pesticide use is warranted, a pesticide program may be implemented, provided that:
(a) When choosing a pesticide, the lot owner must consider toxicity, effectiveness and availability. The city discourages stockpiling of supplies;
(b) The pesticide must be applied only and exactly as directed on the label;
(c) Pesticide applications must be properly timed to maximize their overall effectiveness;
(d) Pouring of excess pesticide on the ground or into the lakes or other surface waters is prohibited; and
(e) Pesticide treatment of aquatic organisms is limited to licensed professionals and may not be performed by landowners.
(Prior Code, § 10-70) Penalty, see § 91.99