Volusia County, FL - The Volusia County Environmental Management Division is reminding folks to take the summer off from fertilizing. The fertilizer ban begins on June 1 and continues through September 30.
Volusia County Urban Horticulture Agent Joe Sewards said the ban does not mean you can't fertilize at all. It means you can't use nitrogen and phosphorous products. Sewards said that most soil in Florida already has a lot of phosphorous so it's usually not needed. He added that the fertilizer ban actually states that phosphorous is not allowed at any time.
Volusia County’s fertilizer ordinance includes these provisions:
· The application of fertilizers containing phosphorus is
prohibited at all times unless a soil or plant-tissue deficiency is
verified.
· The application of fertilizers containing nitrogen is prohibited
from June 1 through Sept. 30 of each year.
· Fertilizer containing nitrogen may be applied only between Oct.
1 and May 31 and must contain at least 50 percent slow-release
nitrogen.
· Fertilizer may not be applied within 15 feet of water bodies.
Sewards said the best way to find out what your soil needs is to have a soil test done. He said make sure to have the testing done locally by a recognized testing labratory. He recommends the University of Florida soil testing lab. Sewards said the forms to send with your sample are available at any county extension office. The test costs $7 and tests for a number of things, including phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium and, if requested, other minor elements.
For information about fertilizer use and soil testing, call the University of Florida/Volusia County Extension at 386-822-5778 or visit www.volusia.org/fertilizer.
