County fertilizer restrictions in effect through September

Sarasota County has one of the toughest rules in the state when it comes to protecting local waterways by restricting the use of certain kinds of fertilizer. The county is reminding residents that rule is in effect through September.

Sarasota County's Fertilizer and Landscape Management ordinance prohibits the use of fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus from June 1 through Sept. 30. The rules apply to both residential and commercial users.

Consumers are encouraged to purchase fertilizer that contains no nitrogen or phosphorus. Every bag of fertilizer contains three sets of numbers on the label; the first number shows the amount of nitrogen, the second number is the amount of phosphorus and the third lists the amount of potassium in the product. The first two numbers should be zero to comply with the county code. Consumers also can ask for a Florida summer blend fertilizer from both retailers and professional landscape companies.

"The bays and beaches are cornerstones to our environmental and economic vitality in Sarasota County," said Amy Meese, General Manager, Sarasota County Natural Resources, in a news release. "By taking a simple action like fertilizing less and using the correct product, residents will save money and help protect those assets that add to our quality of life and attract millions of visitors to our community each year."

Fertilizer applied during the summer can easily wash into storm drains and flow untreated into bays or streams. This pollution leads to algae blooms and excessive aquatic plant growth, which harms water quality and depletes the oxygen that plants, fish and other wildlife need to survive. Property owners and landscape professionals can visit www.scgov.net for information on how to shop for the proper fertilizer and when and how to apply it, among other related matters.

For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000, or visit www.scgov.net.