Fertilize if you must, but think of our Lagoon when you do:
Fertilizer is a major source of the nutrient pollution that is poisoning our Banana River Lagoon. One pound of nitrogen from our fertilizer can produce five pounds of algae in the water column. Algae robs the sea grass of essential sunlight and dissolved oxygen. Sea grass coverage is the primary measure of lagoon health. Most of our sea grass is gone, taking with it our once abundant shrimp, crabs, oysters, clams and fish. If we don’t control our fertilizer use, we may see the end of our iconic Manatees.
Indian Harbour Beach has a lagoon protective fertilizer ordinance. Please learn the rules of responsible fertilizer use and apply them to your yard. Briefly stated, the IHB rules include:• Fertilizer shall not be applied within ten feet of surface water or wetland• Fertilizer containing phosphorus shall not be applied unless soil or plant tests indicate a deficiency exists• The nitrogen content of fertilizer applied to turf or landscape plants shall contain at least fifty (50) percent slow-release nitrogen per guaranteed analysis label.• Fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus shall not be applied during the rainy season prohibited period June 1 to September 30.
Original source can be found here
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