Summer Fertilizer Ban Begins June 1

The summer rainy season ban on fertilizer use in the City of Melbourne goes into effect June 1. The ban lasts until September 30. This regulation was enacted in order to keep harmful nutrients found in fertilizer from washing off lawns into storm drains and ultimately into the Indian River Lagoon during the rainy summer months.  In the summer months, heavy rains wash off any fertilizer applied to lawns and gardens before it can be absorbed by plants and grass. Instead of benefitting the plants, it ends up washing off lawns and ultimately into the Indian River Lagoon where it can fuel algae blooms and kill fish.  Homeowners are reminded that it is also illegal to blow grass clippings into streets or stormwater drains in the City of Melbourne at any time of the year. Instead, clippings should be blown back into yards or composted. Penalties include a fine of $200 for violating either of these ordinances. 

How to Keep Your Yard Looking Great Without Fertilizer

Expert gardeners know that by making a few small changes to better adapt a lawn to Florida’s hot, humid climate, they only need to fertilize twice a year at most – in April and October.  Follow these tips, and your yard and garden will look like the pros:

Photo and story credit: Photo: City of Melbourne / melbourneflorida.org. Originally published by the City of Melbourne.