If fertilizers are necessary, consider the following best practices:Use fertilizers based on need, as determined by soil testing and other indicators, rather than on a pre-determined schedule.Use fertilizers only during seasonal and weather-related times

If fertilizers are necessary, consider the following best practices:

• Use fertilizers based on need, as determined by soil testing and other indicators, rather than on a pre-determined schedule.
• Use fertilizers only during seasonal times of plant uptake, and not when heavy rain is expected.
• Keep fertilizers at least 25 feet from any body of water to prevent eutrophication.
• Use organic and natural materials to the greatest extent possible.
• If synthetic fertilizers are used, choose slow-release formulations; do not use “weed and feed” products. Slow-release fertilizers are broken down slowly by microbes in the soil. They are composed of bonemeals, fishmeals, composted manure, limestone, or rock phosphate. “Weed and feed” refers to fertilizers that contain weed killer.
• Refer to the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) list of crop products for 2009 to learn about environmentally preferable plant nutrients. (See Resources.)