Hold the fertilizer until October!

SARASOTA – In accordance with Sarasota and Manatee County urban fertilizer ordinances, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) reminds residents not to use fertilizer products containing nitrogen and phosphorus from June 1 through September 30.

Rainwater washes excess fertilizer into storm drains, which results in nitrogen and phosphorus being transported into Sarasota Bay through tributaries and storm drains. These chemicals can fuel excessive growth of algae, which smothers natural vegetation and feeds invasive weeds.

The SBEP and local county professionals offer additional tips for Bay-friendly living. They include using rain barrels to conserve water for landscaping, not over-watering lawns and plants, planting Florida native plants, and keeping all fertilizers at least 10 feet away from the edge of any water body. Learn more by visiting BeFloridan.org or SarasotaBay.org. You can also visit the Sarasota County website and do a search on the word "fertilizer."