Sarasota News Leader
March 22, 2013
Page 64
RESIDENTS REMINDED TO USE SLOW-RELEASE FERTILIZERS
In accordance with Sarasota and Manatee
counties��� urban fertilizer ordinances, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) is reminding residents to use fertilizers with a minimum
of 50 percent slow-release nitrogen if they fertilize their lawns or flower beds this spring.
less likely to become stormwater runoff after
heavy rains.���
SBEP also is reminding residents that local ordinances prohibit fertilizer application in the
summer months ��� from June through September. ���Too much fertilizer has an adverse
Slow-release products (also called con- impact on water quality and aquatic life, the
trolled-release or timed release) feed lawns release adds.
and plants gradually and for a longer period
of time, an SBEP news release notes. ���They Learn more by visiting the Be Floridian webare more easily absorbed by the plants and site at or the SBEP website.
The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is reminding residents to be careful in their use of fertilizers,
to protect the quality of area waters. Photo by Norman Schimmel
