SBEP Reminds Residents to Hold the Fertilizer through September 30

SARASOTA, FL – The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) reminds residents to use fertilizers with a minimum of 50 percent slow-release nitrogen if they fertilize their lawn or flower beds in the summer through September 30. This is in compliance with Sarasota and Manatee County urban fertilizer ordinances.

Slow-release products (also called controlled release or timed release) feed lawns and plants gradually and for a longer period of time. They are more easily absorbed by the plants and less likely to become stormwater runoff after heavy rains.

Using too much fertilizer has an adverse impact on water quality and aquatic life because of the high amount of nitrogen and phosphorus. Learn more by visiting the Be Floridian website at befloridian.org or the SBEP website at sarasotabay.org.