County’s annual summer fertilizer restrictions in effect as of June 1

Extension staff offers tips for lawn care

Image courtesy Sarasota County
Image courtesy Sarasota County

Sarasota County staff is reminding residents to “Be Floridian” and refrain from applying fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus from June 1 to Sept. 30.

The County Code “prohibits the use of these lawn or landscape fertilizers during the rainy season because they can get washed into our ponds and bays, harming our environment,” a county news release explains.

“The good news is there are lots of ways to keep your lawn looking great while keeping algae-feeding nitrogen and phosphorus out of our waterways,” the release adds. Sarasota County’s University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension staff, has offered the following tips:

  • Use “summer safe” yard products that contain iron or other micronutrients to “green up” your lawn from June through September.
  • Improve your dirt: Give your garden a boost by adding compost or other soil amendments.
  • Choose better plants: Florida-friendly landscaping needs less fertilizer, water and overall care.

For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 861-5000 or visit www.scgov.net and use the keyword “fertilizer.”