fertalizing in Ohio

[bschreur]

I would like to start with saying this is an excellent forum. I have posted a few questions and have read many posts and everyone seems very polite, friendly and knowledgeable. Thank you for making this available especially for us beginers. Now to my question.

Does anyone know if I need a license to apply fertilizer in Ohio? I have read that some states require it even for spraying Round up. If I do is there a website that can give me more info on applying?

I am starting my business out slow and my first bid is asking for the lawn fertilization 2x per year to be included. I planned on spreading a granular with a broadcast spreader. I explained what I was doing to my local garden center. He gave me pricing on Lesco granular but never asked about if I was licensed.

[Woody]

If all you are dropping is fertilizer, you are not required to have an applicators license. If you put ANY KIND of "weed-and-feed" down, spray ONE DROP of roundup, etc., you are REQUIRED to be licensed.

Want to avoid the headaches? Get the license anyhow!

Learn about it here.

Woody

[Phil Nilsson]

"Does anyone know if I need a license to apply fertilizer in Ohio?"

Yes

[Woody]

You need a license to manufacture, custom blend (to be resold as a packaged product), or package fertilizer in Ohio. You also need a license to apply pesticides. No where is there EVEN A PROVISION for a license to apply fertilizer.

I have no idea where Phil is getting his information, but it is incorrect. You wouldn't want to cite your references, would you Phil?

Woody

[Woody]

To clarify this.....

From the publication "Ohio Pesticide Law", Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry, Pesticide Regulation.

"Pesticide means any substance or mixture of substances intended for either of the following:
(1) Preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest;
(2) Use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant."

Also from that same text......

"Plant regulator" means any substance or mixture of substances, intended,
through physiological action, for accelerating or retarding the growth or rate of maturation, or for otherwise altering the behavior of plants or the produce thereof, but shall not include substances to the extent that they are intended as plant nutrients, trace elements, nutritional chemicals, plant inoculants, or soil amendments."

As anyone can clearly see, putting down fertilizer is NOT covered under a pesticide applicator license. And there is no provision under the Department of Agriculture for issuing licenses for fertilizer applications.

The answer to your question is, without doubt, from someone ACTUALLY IN OHIO, no. You do NOT need a license to apply fertilizer in Ohio.

One would think that Phil, with all of his "contacts in the industry", would be aware of that.

Woody