Fertilizer is a powerful tool that can help your Florida landscape thrive — if used appropriately. However, if applied incorrectly, it can not only harm your lawn and plants, but also the environment.
Here in Florida, fertilizing during the summer months can do more harm than good, due to the heavy rains we receive. Summer rains don’t actually help fertilizer get to our plants roots, like so many people think. In reality, these heavy rains either wash fertilizer away or through the plant roots – with some of it going right into our streams, rivers, bays and the Gulf of Mexico. These are some of the water sources that we rely on for drinking water.
You can help keep our drinking water sources clean by following these tips if fertilizing your lawn this summer:
If you live in Manatee or Pinellas counties, or the City of Tampa, there is a ban on applying fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorous from June 1 – Sept. 30. But there are still ways to keep your lawn healthy without these types of chemicals. Look for fertilizers with “0” as the first two numbers on the label (0-0-6). These do not contain either nitrogen or phosphorous and are safe to use during the summer.
For more tips on how to take care of your landscaping this summer that are good for both your lawn and the environment, visit the Hillsborough, Pinellas or Pasco County UF/IFAS Extensions.