Fertilizer Ban Starts June 1

Remember that May 31 is the last day you can fertilize with nitrogen or phosphorus products in Pinellas County, unless you are fertilizing a food crop (veggies and fruit trees) as these are exempt.

Don't just pump iron on turf as this can lead to other deficiencies, such as manganese (Mn) deficiency by competition.  Manganese deficient turf has been correlated to increased take-all root rot severity.  Use a micronutrient complex.  Micronutrients in the sulfate form or those that are chelated are best to use.  Oxides only work well in acidic soils (in Pinellas County most of our soils are alkaline).

Palms should be fertilized 4 times a year.  During the fertilizer black out (June 1 - Sept. 30) use a 0-0-16-6Mg product on palms and landscape/turf within 50 feet of palms.

For specific questions about the fertilizer ordianance call the Pinellas County Watershed Division at 464-4425.  For a list of products that comply with the no nitrogen or phosphorus requirements see this link:  http://www.pinellascounty.org/environment/pdfs/master-product-list-Pinellas-County.pdf