MELBOURNE SUMMER FERTILIZER BAN
Summer in Florida is here. This means beach days, cookouts, vacations, and of course almost daily rain. Here in Central Florida we have very heavy rain during this season. Heavy rain leads to a lot of runoff into our lakes, streams, river, lagoon, and eventually the ocean. This is why the Melbourne summer fertilizer ban is put into place.
As of June 1st, this regulation was put into place to help keep our natural resources clean. There are nutrients in fertilizer that can be harmful to the waterways. Even if you do not live directly near water, the runoff from storm drains eventually makes it way to the water. By adhering to these ordinances, you are helping keep the Indian River Lagoon clean.
HOW RUNOFF EFFECTS OUR WATER
The biggest impact when this polluted runoff reaches the lagoon is the algae blooms and the wildlife. The chemicals quickly kill fish and other animals in the water. As most Space Coast residents know, the Indian River Lagoon already has a lot of issues with pollution. Every citizen in the area can help prevent further damage by adhering to the Melbourne Summer Fertilizer Ban.
MELBOURNE SUMMER FERTILIZER BAN
There are other things home owners can do throughout the year to help avoid pollution, not just during the ban. If you have grass clippings, it is very important to not blow them into the road or storm drains. This is another very easy way harmful chemicals can get into the Indian River Lagoon. Many residents don’t know, but there are laws on the book about this very topic. Penalties include a fine of $200 for violating either of these ordinances.
Read the full ordinance regulating fertilizer use in the City of Melbourne.
KEEP YOUR GRASS GREEN ALL YEAR LONG
To keep your grass green all year long you only need to fertilize twice a year. The best times to fertilize are in April and October. This puts you outside of the Melbourne fertilizer ban and gets you the best results for your grass. Here are some additional tips to help keep your landscaping looking great!
ADD IRON TO YOUR LAWN
Putting down a layer of iron keeps lawn looking green during the summer months. You can find iron at most lawn care or home improvement stores like Lowes and Home Depot. This is a great way to make sure your lawn makes its through the hot summer months.
USE APPROPRIATE PLANTS
Half of the battle is starting off with grass and plants that are appropriate for our climate. By making the right choices and using plants that thrive in Florida, you in turn need to use less fertilizer to keep them healthy. This means during the Melbourne fertilizer ban months your grass and landscape will be unaffected by the lack of fertilizer.
PLAN YOUR LANDSCAPING
By properly planning your yard, you can reduce the need for grass. Hearty shrubs and other plants are great to use make your lawn smaller. It looks great and is easy to maintain. We can help you come up with a solid landscaping plan for your yard, just give us a call. It’s something you plan and then executer over time, slowly reducing your lawn maintenance because there will be less lawn. You can read more about our services here
USE COMPOST
Using your own homemade compost is an excellent way to keep both your lawn, and the environment healthy. Even small amounts of compost can go a long way. Countertop compost bins are in inexpensive and help you collect items you would normally discard.
STAY EDUCATED
Living on the Space Coast is an amazing way to live life. We all have the responsibly to make sure we keep it beautiful. If you have any questions regarding the Melbourne summer fertilizer ban call Fox Outdoor Solutions. We are happy to help in anyway that we can!
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