This second episode in our series on the 9 Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping digs into Principle number 3: Fertilize Appropriately.
Plants have varying nutrient needs, depending on the species, the age of the plant, and its location. It’s not always necessary to fertilize your plants or lawns, and too much fertilizer can weaken a plant, promote disease, and invite pests, in addition to wasting money and harming the environment. Before you fertilize, you should always determine if it’s really needed. Your county extension office can help you identify visual signs of nutrient deficiencies, as well as provide soil testing at a nominal fee to measure nutrient levels. If you do fertilize, always follow the fertilizer label directions and UF/IFAS recommended rates and application timings to prevent nutrient runoff and leaching which can pollute Florida’s waters.
In an effort to protect our water quality and ecosystems, Pinellas County’s Fertilizer Ordinance regulates certain aspects of fertilizer use. No nitrogen or phosphorous may be applied to turfgrass or landscape from June 1 to September 30, or at any time of the year if the National Weather Service has issued certain weather advisories.
See the Florida Friendly Landscaping™ program website (listed below) for training, contact information and more information about the FFL™ program.
Resources:
UF/IFAS Extension, Pinellas County
12520 Ulmerton Rd.
Largo, FL 33774
Phone (727) 582-2109
[email protected]
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program Fertilize Appropriately Guidance https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/principle-3-guidance/
Pinellas County Fertilizer Ordinance https://pinellas.gov/pinellas-county-fertilizer-ordinance/
Effects of Urban Fertilizer Ordinances on Water Quality https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/SS724
How to find certified and qualified arborists https://www.floridaisa.org/how-to-find-certified-and-qualified-arborists/
Land measurement tools are built into the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's website https://www.pcpao.gov/gis.html
UF-IFAS Recommended Soil Test Kit https://www.soilkit.com/
Soil Testing Information https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/agriculture/soil-testing/
Soil Test Brochure https://soilslab.ifas.ufl.edu/media/soilslabifasufledu/docs/SWES_Extension_Soil_Testing_Lab_2024_Brochure_Digital.pdf
Edible Landscaping Using the Nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP594
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/integrated-pest-management/
Monthly Gardening Calendars https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-gardening-calendar/
South Florida Regional Gardening Calendars https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP452#SECTION_4
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Pinellas County Help Desk & Plant Clinics https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellas/lawn-and-garden/contact-us-for-help/
Social Media https://www.facebook.com/PinellasExtension/ https://www.youtube.com/user/PinellasExtensionTV
Ask IFAS https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program https://floridafriendlylandscaping.com/
Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Gardening Solutions https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/
9 Principles of Florida Friendly Landscaping™ https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/
Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Apps https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/
Planting Pinellas Post Newsletter https://subscribe.ifas.ufl.edu/extweb/pinellas_planting.html
Tampa Bay Water Rebate Program https://tampabaywaterwise.org/en/rebates/
Barbara Strickland Endowment https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/026203-barbara-strickland-pinellas-county-master-gardener-volunteer-endowment/
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This podcast is brought to you by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, an equal opportunity institution.
