TAMPA, Florida — On June 1, restrictions on the use of fertilizers will go into force for certain areas in the Tampa Bay area.
Because of this, the application of any fertilizer in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, or Sarasota Counties that contains phosphorous or nitrogen is prohibited from the first day of June through the last day of September.
When looking at particular neighborhoods, the UF IFAS program, which is available for free, is helpful because it highlights any exceptions to the prohibition that may exist.
Because a summer rainstorm can dump several inches of water, resulting to a substantial amount of water pouring off into drains and into lakes, reservoirs, and our bay waters, the prohibition is in effect throughout the rainy season. This is due to the fact that a summer thunderstorm can dump several inches of water.
The quality of the water in these bodies of water suffers as a direct result of any extra fertilizer that is washed away and carried away by the water.
Algae can form when there is an abundance of phosphorus and nitrogen. There are fewer plant and seagrass species as a result of an abundance of algae, which prevents sunlight from reaching the bottom of the water bodies in question. When there are fewer plants in an area, oxygen levels drop, which ultimately results in the death of fish.
According to a survey conducted in 2022, there were just 30,000 acres of seagrass in Tampa Bay. That’s 10,000 acres less than what was needed. In addition to that, it marked the third consecutive survey period that showed a decrease after reaching a peak of 40,000 acres.
Up to the 1st of June, you are allowed to continue using fertilizers that contain phosphorus and nitrogen. However, extreme caution should be taken not to apply it to impervious surfaces, while it is raining or when more than two inches are forecast to fall within the following 36 hours, and neither should it be used within ten feet of any body of water.
In addition, when working with grass clippings, care should be taken to ensure that they are not flushed down the toilet or poured down any drains.
If the fertilizer does contain nitrogen, then at least fifty percent of the nitrogen must have a regulated or gradual release. Phosphorous should never, ever be used in any way, shape, or form, unless a soil analysis carried out by an accredited laboratory reveals that there is a lack of phosphorous in the soil.
If you want more control over the location where the fertilizer is distributed, you need to utilize a spreader that has a deflector shield built into it.
