Lawn Care Professionals Need Certification?

The application of lawn fertilizer should be done correctly.

Incorrect fertilizer applications can cause burning, waste money along with harm water supplies due to fertilizer run off.

Algae bloom in water supplies caused from high-levels of nitrogen and phosphorus found in lawn fertilizers reduces oxygen levels in lakes and ponds resulting in fish kills.

Cities and counties around the nation are beginning to take action.

For example, Pinellas County Florida (Tampa area) has passed ordinances requiring landscapers and lawn care professionals and those who mow, fertilize, prune, or remove yard waste and debris (does that mean homeowners as well) now must be certified and licensed. Not companies alone but those who handle fertilizer must to receive proper training.

Landscapers no longer will get a grace period. They will now be fined without proper certification.

The Pinellas ordinance requires landscapers, companies or personel applying fertilizer or performing landscaping to be have received proper training and be and licensed.

Required:

• All service vehicles must display certification decal
• All “landscapers” must carry a card to show they have received training for either landscape maintenance or fertilizing.

There are two different types of certification.

A complete training course approved by the state of Florida – like Green Industries Best Management Practices is available online at: https://gibmp.ifas.ufl.edu

Landscapers Too

Landscapers who do not apply fertilizers must also be certified.

With more emphasis on reducing the use of chemical fertilizers on lawns, this trend is sure to grow.

For years, those who apply chemicals in nurseries and commercially have been required to be trained.

Whenever chemicals are employed best practices should be followed.