What is Louisville Green?

Louisville Green is an slow-release organic fertilizer suitable for many fertilizer applications. “Slow-release fertilizers provide a steady supply of plant nutrients over an extended period of time. They require fewer applications because the materials are held in the soil and gradually release the nutrients” [per Healthy Lawn and Garden Technical Advisory Committee] Most fertilizers are designed to dissolve quickly by rain. Heavy rains can leach the nitrogen into streams, causing too much algae and robbing oxygen from fish. Louisville Green instead breaks down slowly, keeping nutrients in the soil and available to the plants. This helps the plants get the nutrients they need and greatly reduces negative impacts to streams.

One of the major benefits to organic fertilizers is they add to the composition of the soil (a very big perk to gardeners). They help to hold in moisture and promote healthier root growth. They naturally help to maintain the pH balance in the soil.

Where can I buy Louisville Green?

View a list of local retailers where Louisville Green is available.

Where does Louisville Green come from?

Louisville Green is a fertilizer made of organic, nutrient rich and highly treated solids left over after municipal wastewater treatment. This processed by-product can be recycled and applied as a fertilizer to improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth.

How is Louisville Green produced?

Louisville’s wastewater is cleaned and disinfected at MSD’s Morris Forman Wastewater Treatment Plant before being discharged to the Ohio River. The leftover solids (biosolids) are further processed into fertilizer.

This fertilizer is made of exceptional quality, Class A biosolids. Per EPA: Class A biosolids contain no detectible levels of pathogens. Class A biosolids that meet strict vector attraction reduction requirements and low levels metals contents, only have to apply for permits to ensure that these very tough standards have been met.

USEPA: The term Exceptional Quality is often used to describe a biosolids product which meets Class A pathogen reduction requirements, the most stringent metals limits (Pollutant Concentrations), and vector attraction reduction standards specified in the Part 503 Rule. Vectors (flies, rodents, birds, etc.) Can transmit diseases directly to humans or play a specific role in the life cycle of a pathogen as a host. Vector attraction reduction refers to processing which makes the biosolids less attractive to vectors thereby reducing the potential for transmitting diseases. Exceptional Quality biosolids products are as safe as other agricultural and horticultural products and may be used without site restrictions.

Intense dryer heat kills all germs (bacteria, viruses and molds) in biosolids pellets.

What does it mean for MSD to agree to follow an Environmental Management System (EMS) for Biosolids?

A voluntary EMS is now being developed for biosolids by the National Biosolids Partnership (NBP). The NBP consists of members from the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agency, the Water Environment Federation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other stakeholders including the general public. Those facilities who pledge to follow the EMS are agreeing to follow community-friendly practices in addition to being in compliance with applicable state and Federal regulations. Community friendly practices refer to the control of odor, traffic, noise, and dust as well as the management of nutrients. Those who pledge to follow the EMS will be subjected to audit by impartial independent third parties.

Where can I use Louisville Green?

Gardening, lawns, golf courses, agriculture, etc.

What does the 5-3-0 mean?

Important nutrients for plants (referred to as macro-nutrients) are nitrogen, phosphorous and potash (N-P-K). The three big numbers on fertilizer labels show how much plant macro-nutrients they contain. Louisville Green is guaranteed to contain a minimum of 5% Nitrogen, 3% Phosphorous and 0% potash. (Actually some potash is present, but since it is typically less than a full percentage, it is not a guaranteed value.) The specific guaranteed analysis follows

Guaranteed Analysis
Total Nitrogen (N) 5 %
4.5 % Water Insoluble Nitrogen
0.5 % Water Soluble Nitrogen
Available Phosphate (P2O5) 3 %

Is it safe for pets and children?

Yes, Louisville Green meets the US EPA’s most stringent requirements for fertilizers. The product is subjected to high temperatures to eliminate any harmful pathogens. The end result is a pathogen free, earthy smelling product, which is non-toxic.

We do recommend that you store the fetilizer in an area away from pets and children as with any other fetilizer or garden products.

Are there concerns regarding heavy metals?

What nutritionists call “minerals” and farmers call “micro-nutrients,” chemists call “heavy metals” in biosolids. Humans need certain nutrients in various amounts. Our macro-nutrient needs are protein, starches and sugars. We also need small amounts of micro-nutrients: vitamins (A, Bs, C, D, folic acid, etc) and minerals (calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc, boron, sulfur, molybdenum, copper and even chlorine). Plant macro-nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorous and potash (N-P-K). Plants also need micro-nutrients, such as iron, boron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, manganese, molybdenum, copper, cobalt and chlorine. As with humans, small amounts are required, but not too much.

Louisville Green is tested daily for metals and other components. It meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) "Exceptional Quality" criteria which establishes the strictest concentration limits in the fertilizer industry for heavy metals.

What are recommended application rates?

Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service recommendations:

• Lawns - two applications of 20 lbs/1,000 ft2 each, in fall, four to six weeks apart
• Trees - 60 lbs/1,000 ft2, in fall, around drip-line, starting one year after planting
• Shrubs - 4 lbs/100 ft2, in fall, starting one year after planting
• Vegetables* - 4 lbs/100 ft2, side-dressed
• Flowers - 3 lbs/100 ft2 in fall, and 2 lbs/100 ft2 in spring when flower buds form

Louisville Green pellets are about 1-5 mm (0.04-0.2 inches) in diameter; apply with common spreading equipment. A large (2½-lb) coffee can holds about 5 lbs of pellets.

Instructions: Always follow directions on any fertilizer or pesticide label; do not use either product in or near wells, streams or lakes. Do not apply to frozen or flooded land. Application of this product is prohibited, except in accordance with these instructions.

*Note that the soil pH must be at least 6.5 if Louisville Green is to be applied to food crops.

Where can I buy Louisville Green?

40 pound bags will be available at local hardware stores in Spring 2005.

For bulk purchases, contact Clarke Fenimore at (502) 896-4716 or (502) 551-1818.

How can I learn more?

To take a tour of the facility that produces Louisville Green, contact: Robert Bates at (502) 540-6733.

For general information about Louisville Green, contact: Sharon Worley at 502-540-6744 or call MSD’s 24-hour Customer Service representatives at 502-587-0603

The following references can provide useful information about fertilization and biosolids management: