It’s June first, a date that officially kicks off things like summer and the dreaded hurricane season. In addition, it is the official start to rainy season and it has been just that this week–rainy. The drenching summer rains are one reason that the fertilizer ban begins today in Southwest Florida. The move is intended to help protect waterways in Lee County, Charlotte County and parts of Collier County, from outbreaks of algae blooms and red tide.
About the fertilizer ban
If you are a home or business owner, the ban means you cannot use any product on your lawn or garden that contains nitrogen or phosphorus. When those chemicals run off of your lawn in the heavy summer rains, they can help fuel things like algae and red tide. These two things cause respiratory problems in humans, fish kills, damage to Southwest Florida’s eco system, and more. Stinky, gross water also effects tourism.
In addition, you are not allowed to use any type of chemical within 15 feet of any water source. It’s just too easy for whatever use to simply run off and into the water. The ban covers most communities in Southwest Florida and runs through September 30th.
Finally, if you are not sure what to use on your lawn or garden this time of year or any, click here for a few tips. While many of the chemicals you may use nourish life on land, they do the opposite to life under the water. Our waterways have taken a beating over the last several years from red tide and algae. Then there is all of the damage, debris and bacteria still lingering from Hurricane Ian. One of the reasons many of us moved to and live in Southwest Florida is because of it’s tropical beauty. It’s abundance of water. The fertilizer ban might be inconvenient, but if everyone does there part, it can make a difference. Let’s all do what we can to protect our water.
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