PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – As the summer rains approach, Pinellas County is reminding residents and lawn care professionals that annual fertilizer restrictions will take effect on Sunday, June 1, and remain in place through September 30. The measures are designed to protect the county’s valuable waterways from nutrient pollution.
The Pinellas County Fertilizer Ordinance prohibits the sale or application of any lawn and landscape fertilizers containing nitrogen and/or phosphorus during this four-month period. Notably, phosphorus is restricted year-round unless a soil test specifically confirms a deficiency.
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A key component of the ordinance is the mandatory 10-foot setback: fertilizer may not be applied within 10 feet of the top of the bank of any surface water, the landward edge of a seawall, or a designated wetland. These regulations apply to all property owners, whether they manage their own lawns or employ professional services.
The county emphasizes that the restrictions are crucial for preventing fertilizer runoff from contaminating lakes, ponds, rivers, Tampa Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as leaching into groundwater. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus are significant contributors to harmful algae blooms, which can deplete oxygen in the water, leading to fish kills and other detrimental environmental impacts.
“We can all use best management practices to have healthy lawns and protect our local waterbodies from receiving excess nutrients,” stated a release from Pinellas County Communications.
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To help residents maintain healthy landscapes during the summer months while complying with the ordinance, Pinellas County recommends the following “summer-safe” lawn care practices:
- Choose Right: Look for products with “0-0” as the first two numbers on the fertilizer label, indicating zero nitrogen and phosphorus.
- Go Green with Iron: Apply iron supplements to keep lawns green without promoting excessive growth.
- Enrich Naturally: Use compost to enrich the soil.
- Mow High: Set lawn mower blades between 3½ to 4 inches for St. Augustine and Bahia turf. This encourages deeper roots that are more resistant to drought, fungus, and pests.
- Water Wisely: Irrigate no more than ½ to ¾ of an inch, twice a week, and always follow local watering restrictions. Ensure a rain shutoff device is installed and functioning correctly, and turn off irrigation when rainfall is sufficient.
- Plant Smart: Opt for plants adapted to Florida’s hot and humid climate and position them according to their sun and water needs.
- Reclaimed Water Awareness: Be mindful that reclaimed water contains nitrogen and phosphorus. Overuse near water bodies can worsen algae blooms. An informational map is available on the county website.
Pinellas County is one of more than 90 Florida communities that have implemented summertime fertilizer restrictions to safeguard water quality.
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