Here's how summer regulations on fertilizer help the Indian River Lagoon | Opinion

Lew Kontnik
·2 min read

I hear so often: “I love the lagoon; I wish there was something I could do to help.”

There is: Give your fertilizer a vacation this summer.

In fact, Brevard regulations prohibit spreading fertilizer on lawns and yards from June 1 through Sept. 30. The fine can be up to $500.

With our frequent rains, fertilizer spread during the summer is more likely to wash into the Indian River Lagoon causing algal blooms, than to help your lawn grow.

More: Nonprofit research group identify Indian River Lagoon projects in Brevard County as 'turkeys'

Before the regulation was passed, more than 128,000 pounds of nitrogen and 13,000 pounds of phosphorous nutrients entered our waters each year. With the regulations adopted in 2014, nitrogen dropped by 36% and phosphorous by 74%.

The in-flow of these harmful nutrients has continuing to drop as more residents have become aware of the ban. By ensuring your lawn care company complies, we’ll even do better.

Brevard regulations prohibit spreading fertilizer on lawns and yards from June 1 through Sept. 30. The fine can be up to $500.
Brevard regulations prohibit spreading fertilizer on lawns and yards from June 1 through Sept. 30. The fine can be up to $500.

In addition to banning spreading from June to the end of September, the ordinance specifies that only fertilizers with zero phosphorous, and at least 50% slow-release nitrogen are allowed in Brevard. You should also avoid fertilizing within 15 feet of water bodies.

Why? Because these nutrients contribute to algae blooms in the lagoon, so we need to be sparing. Most of our Brevard soils are already rich in phosphorous (it is actually mined nearby). And, using slow-release nitrogen means your plants aren’t overfed but get to enjoy the nutrition over a longer period.

More: Scenes Along the Indian River Lagoon

While the regulations don’t ban stores from selling fertilizers during the summer, some responsible retailers, such as ACE Hardware in Titusville, pull product from their shelves during summer. All stores are required to post signs reminding shoppers not to fertilize during the summer “blackout” and to telling them about the types of fertilizer that are allowed in Brevard from October through April.

So do your part to help the lagoon. Put that bag of fertilizer in the garage for the summer months, and give the spreader a break.

Lew Kontnik is a member of the board of directors of the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition, and chairman of the communications committee. To learn more about how to help the lagoon go to HelpTheLagoon.org.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Here's how summer fertilizer regulations help the lagoon | Opinion