# COMAR Title 15 — Maryland Department of Agriculture

## Subtitle 08 — Turf and Seed

### Chapter 04 — Turf Grass Certification

#### Regulation .03 Applications to Participate in Program.

*COMAR 15.08.04.03*

A. Field Eligibility Application.

  (1) To establish the eligibility of a field to be used for the initial production of certified turf grass, a participant shall submit a preplow inspection application to the Department at least 15 days in advance of preparation or tilling of the proposed field.

  (2) The Department may not approve the eligibility of a field unless all noxious weeds or persistent objectionable grasses are controlled.

  (3) For warm season turf grass, a field shall be free of another warm season variety or kind for a period of 3 years.

B. Program Participation.

  (1) After the Department has approved a field’s eligibility to participate in the certification program, a participant shall submit to the Department:

    (a) An application, available from the Department, that has been completed; and

    (b) A map clearly establishing the location and identification of each field.

  (2) The application and map shall be submitted to the Department by:

    (a) August 1 for seeded turf grass planted from January 1 to June 30 of the current year;

    (b) February 1 for seeded turf grass planted from July 1 to December 31 of the previous year;

    (c) August 1 of each year for vegetative turf grass planted from January 1 to June 30 of the current year; and

    (d) February 1 for established fields of vegetative turf grass.

  (3) Late applications:

    (a) May be accepted by the Department; and

    (b) May not be accepted later than November 1 if due August 1, or May 1 if due February 1.

  (4) The Department shall consider the submission of an application as indicating the applicant’s intent to participate in the certification program.