Orange County Fertilizer Application Education Course for

Citizens

In 2009 Orange County took a proactive stand on protecting our lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater by approving a Fertilizer ordinance. This ordinance was designed to minimize the practice of over-fertilizing, improper application timing and methods. The key factors in the new ordinance include: -Restriction on the type and amount of fertilizers allowed -Restriction on time of year when applications are allowed* -Restriction of where fertilizers can be applied Each of these restriction are designed to keep the fertilizers on the lawn and out of our surface waters. * Only individuals that complete this online educational course and the linked quiz may apply fertilizers during the rainy season restriction period.

Purpose & Intent

Course Goals

Upon completion of this online course, you will know how to fertilize responsibly.

This class will teach you how to:

Properly Read a Fertilizer Label

Correctly Choose, Calibrate and Use a Fertilizer Spreader

Identify Fertilizer Free Zones

Implement Fertilizer Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Implement Lawn Care Do’s and Don'ts

Course Goals

Properly Read a Fertilizer Label

Properly Read a Fertilizer Label

There are three important numbers on a label:

The 1st number is for Nitrogen (N)

The 2nd number is for Phosphorus (P)

The 3rd number is for Potassium (K)

• Phosphorus Application: Most Florida soils have adequate amounts of phosphorus and the need to add more may be unnecessary.

Use a phosphorus free fertilizer. The middle number on the label should read zero (0).

A simple test can determine if your soil need phosphorus. Contact the Orange County Agricultural Extension Office for testing information. (407) 254-9200

Properly Read a Fertilizer Label

• Nitrogen is a nutrient required by all plants in order to grow. The new Fertilizer Ordinance requires the use of a product with at least 50% slow-release nitrogen.

• Warning! Not all labels are the same, please ask the sales associate to show you the products available that meet this

new requirement.

Properly Read a Fertilizer Label

• Nitrogen Application

No more than 1 pound of nitrogen (N) can be applied per 1000 sq. feet at any one application.

Example: A 50 lb. bag labeled 10-0-6 would have 5 lbs of Nitrogen (bag weight x label percentage).

Thus, if the max is 1lb-N per 1000 sq. feet of lawn, this same 50lb bag would treat a 5000 sq. foot lawn. Treating a smaller lawn with the entire bag would be a violation of the County regulation.

1 lb of N 1000 sq. feet of yard MAX

Properly Read a Fertilizer Label

Properly Read a Fertilizer Label

1st: How big is your lawn? Determine this by pacing off (or measure) the length times the width of the area you want to fertilize. (Tip: 1 pace = ~ 3 feet)

2nd: Calculate your Area: To calculate the area multiply the length by the width measured, this will give you the sq. feet to be fertilized.

3rd: Check the Label: The label will tell you how much area the bag will cover and what setting to adjust your particular spreader.

Course Goals

Correctly Choose, Calibrate and Use a Fertilizer

Spreader

Correctly Choose, Calibrate and Use a Fertilizer Spreader

• Broadcast spreaders must be equipped with a deflector shield positioned so that it keeps the product on the turf areas and off impervious surfaces.

• Each spreader will have a dial or lever that sets the spreaders application rate.

• Adjust the spreader according to manufacturer directions and label recommendations.

Broadcast

Spreader

Deflector

Shield

Correctly Choose, Calibrate and Use a Fertilizer Spreader

Know the spread pattern of your spreader

Each pass should barely overlap the previous pass:

Avoid patterns too close (large overlap)

Avoid patterns too far apart (no overlap)

Minimum Overlap

Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 3

Course Goals

Identify Fertilizer Free Zones

Identify Fertilizer Free Zones

• Fertilizer MAY NOT be applied within 10 Feet of any lake, pond, stream, canal, or wetland.

10’ fertilzer

free zone

Identify Fertilizer Free Zones

• To reduce fertilizers washing into our lakes and rivers, do

not apply (“over-spray”) them to impervious surfaces such as:

– Concrete Areas

– Sidewalks

– Driveways

– Streets

– Storm Drains

Course Goals

Implement Fertilizer Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Implement Fertilizer Best Management Practices (BMP’s)

The rainy season is June 1st thru September 30th. Plan your treatments carefully. Do not apply if rain expected.

Don’t fertilize before a heavy rain event, tropical storm, or hurricane because fertilizer will “wash” into the street and storm drains.

Know the weather forecast before you decide to fertilize!

Course Goals

Implement Lawn Care Do’s and Don’ts.

Lawn Care Do’s Blow debris BACK onto yard or median, NOT in curb inlets

Use a 50% slow release Nitrogen fertilizer and Zero Phosphorus fertilizer.

Maintain a 10 foot fertilizer free zone near water bodies.

Remove grass clippings and any fertilizer from sidewalks, roads, or driveway back on to your yard.

Use a broadcast spreader with a deflector shield.

Direct clippings AWAY from street

Lawn Care Don’ts

Don’t blow grass clippings too into lakes, streams, roads or storm drains.

Don’t fertilize within 10 ft. of a lakes or streams

• Don’t leave fertilizer “overspray” on roads, sidewalks, driveways, etc.

Don’t apply when rain is expected

Don’t over fertilizer

Orange County Fertilizer Application Quiz

go here…

http://apps.ocfl.net/dept/CEsrvcs/epd/fertilizer_form.asp