Guest Column: Fertilizer Education is Key for Protecting Local Water Bodies
For those not in the nursery or landscape business, understanding the best practices for growing healthy landscapes may not be well understood. This can be especially true when it comes to residents’ knowledge of best fertilizing practices.
A recent Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) survey found that only 52% of residents agreed the way they fertilize affects the health of local water bodies. Only 20% were aware of local fertilizer restrictions, and 40% thought the best time to fertilize was before a heavy rain, which we know can result in fertilizer washing away and polluting local water bodies through runoff.
To help raise awareness of fertilizer best practices for homeowners, the District created the Fertilizing 101 campaign, which is based on UF/IFAS recommendations and links to helpful resources. The goal is to educate residents and change their fertilizing habits to help protect our local water bodies, including Florida’s springs, rivers and lakes.
Too many nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in water bodies can cause excess algae growth, which reduces water clarity and causes extreme fluctuations in dissolved oxygen. This can be very stressful for aquatic wildlife, such as native fish and plants. That’s why it’s important to make sure residents are following recommended fertilizing practices. More is not always better.
April and May are generally the ideal time to fertilize your lawn in Florida. Grass is actively growing and it’s before the rainy season. We encourage homeowners to test their soil before purchasing fertilizer, use slow- or controlled-release fertilizer, avoid fertilizing before heavy rain and to always check with local governments for fertilizing restrictions.
Homeowners can visit WaterMatters.org/Fertilizing101 for simple to follow fertilizing steps and tips to create a healthy lawn. Let’s fertilize smart, and protect our waterways together!
Tom Hyle serves as lead communications coordinator with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).
The Southwest Florida Water Management District encompasses roughly 10,000 square miles in west-central Florida, covering all or part of 16 counites and serving nearly 6 million people. The District’s mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks and ensure the public’s water needs are met.
