Annually starting on June 1 and ending September 30, no fertilizers containing nitrogen and/or phosphorus may be applied within the Town of Orchid. This prohibition is in place by local law to protect the health of the Indian River Lagoon, which suffers when excessive nitrogen and phosphorous run off into water bodies. The timing coincides with Florida's rainy season. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in water bodies, often from stormwater runoff, causes eutrophication (excessive enrichment) which promotes harmful algal blooms and eventually dead zones. Local residents should ensure when hiring landscapers that they are fully apprised of the law and what is at stake. The University of Florida, who runs the Florida Friendly Landscape Program, has a handy checklist for hiring a landscaper.
Professional applicators:
- Shall be appropriately certified to apply fertilizers as may be required by state law
- Shall consult the “Guaranteed Analysis” provided on the packaging for fertilizer
- Shall not apply fertilizer containing phosphorus unless a deficiency is verified by a University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, approved testing methodology
- Shall ensure that the nitrogen content of fertilizer contains at least 50% slow-release nitrogen
- Shall not apply fertilizers containing nitrogen and/or phosphorus to turf and/or landscape plants during the prohibited application period
- Shall never apply fertilizer when rain is forecast
- Shall not apply fertilizer within 10 feet of any water bodies
- May use Florida-friendly yard products containing iron and/or other micronutrients
- Shall use spreader deflector shields positioned such that granules are deflected away from all impervious surfaces, fertilizer-free zones, surface waters and water bodies when fertilizing via rotary (broadcast) spreaders
- Shall immediately remediate any spills