Summer Fertilizer Ban Lifts October 1

You can start applying fertilizers with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) again starting October 1st. Remember that to apply P you must have a soil or tissue test documenting a deficiency of this nutrient.

Use a tissue test to document a P deficiency. Soil tests done on alkaline soils nearly always show plenty of P even though it may not be available to the plant because it is tied up in the soil. Tissue testing form.

Remember NOT to apply N or P if the National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning or watch, flood warning or watch, tropical storm warning or watch, hurricane warning or watch, or if rain greater than or equal to 2 inches in a 24 hour period is forcast for any portion of Pinellas County.

No N applied to newly established turf or new landscape plants for the first 30 days.

No fertilizer on any impervious surfaces, and spreader deflector shields are required on any broadcast or rotary fertilizer spreaders.

Fertilizer cannot be applied within 10 feet from the top of the bank of any surface water, landward edge of top of a seawall, designated wetland or wetland as defined by the FDEP.

For all questions about the fertilizer ordinance please call the Pinellas County Watershed Division at 464-4425 option 6, email: Watershed@pinellascounty.org, or visit their website

October Classes

A "Fertilizer/Pesticide Best Management Practices (BMP)" class will be held on Wednesday, October 12. Register at this link. This class provides 4 CEUs - 2 Core and 2 category for the lawn/turf/ornamental sector. Class cost is $15

"Palm Management in the Florida Landscape" will be held Monday and Tuesday, October 24 and 25. To register you must contact Dr. Elliott at melliott@ufl.edu, or by phone 954-577-6315. The class cost is $300.00 and includes breakfast goodies, lunch, snacks and drinks.

The "Fall CEU Update" for 2 Fumigation, 2 GHP, 2 Core and 2 Termites is Wednesday, October 26. Each CEU costs $10. Register at this link. You can pick and choose which classes to take.

The "Fall CEU Update" for 2 Core and 2 Lawn/Turf/Ornamental and possibly ROW and NA will be held on Wednesday, November 2. Each CEU costs $10. Register at this link. You can pick and choose which classes to take.

The Watershed Division is offering a "Landscape Best Management Practices" class on Tuesday, October 11 (morning or afternoon). Register at this link.

Pesticide Testing Day

If you need to take a pesticide exam (NOT the PCO exam) we offer them the third Wednesday of every month. The next testing date is October 19th. Doors lock at 9 AM so come a little early. Please call Bob at 582-2081 and give him your name and the test(s) you want to take so he can have them pulled and ready for you.

If you are taking a limited exam you must bring the approval letter from the state with you in order to take the exam.

If you need the "Roundup" Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance pesticide license our next 6 hour required training class will be on January 26th, 2012. Please make sure you study, and bring a completed application with you to class. For information about the study materials and link to the state's application visit this link.

Those who wish to review for the Limited Lawn and Ornamental pesticide license exam may also take this class. More information about this license can be found at this link. This class is NOT for CEU renewal.

Last Minute CEU Class

Monday, Septebmer 19, 2011 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. Find out about the newest pests to hit Florida. Passionvine mealybug, daylily leafminer, palm weevils, kudzu bug, brown marmorated stinkbug, laurel wilt and Eruopean pepper moth will all be covered via polycom. 2 lawn/turf/ornamental CEUs have been requested. This is a free class.

Only 5 seats available.

Register here: