A proposed fertilizer ban could impact homeowners in Orange County.
- Proposed ordinance bans nitrogen fertilizer
- If ban is approved and use continues, a $100 fine may be charged
On Tuesday, county commissioners will take a final vote on a new ordinance which would prevent any usage of nitrogen fertilizer from June 1 to the end of September.
"Everyone knows the more it rains, the more this grass grows. If that's the case, the more nitrogen it needs sometimes," Steven Kelly with Scotts Fertilizer said.
However, the county says the nitrogen-rich fertilizer is exactly what Orange County is looking to ban during the summer months when the rain washes more fertilizer into our waterways.
"We are discovering that we’re ending up in our waterways and it's speeding up the process of algae blooms and it's kind of choking out our waterways," Orange County Government Compliance Program coordinator Julie Bortles said.
Their hope is that the reduction in nitrogen fertilizer will reduce the introduction of nitrates to local waterways, like the Wekiwa River.
"If the new ordinance goes into effect, we will not be able to use these fertilizers," Kelly said.
Although many summer fertilizers do use nitrogen to replenish grass growth, Kelly with Scotts Fertilizer says they do provide one treatment which will supply your lawn with some of the nutrients it needs without exposing the environment to nitrogen.
If commissioners approve the ban and you're caught using nitrogen-rich fertilizer, you could face a $100 fine.