Lake County’s fertilizer blackout period begins on Monday, June 1. The fertilizer ordinance, aimed at improving water quality, prohibits using fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus from June 1 through Sept. 30.
The ordinance also prohibits fertilizer use whenever soil is saturated or the National Weather Service forecasts heavy rain within 24 hours.
To protect public health, additional fertilizer restrictions apply:
- Use a deflector shield during application to keep fertilizer off impermeable surfaces.
- Don’t apply within 15 feet of a wetland or water body and leave a 15-foot low-maintenance buffer zone from any water body.
- When applying Oct. 1 through May 31, products should contain at least 50% slow-release nitrogen and 0% phosphorus.
Always remember: “Only Rain Down the Storm Drain!” Do not rinse fertilizer, chemicals, grass, or yard clippings into storm drains. Help protect Lake County’s beautiful lakes.
For more information, please visit: https://www.lakecountyfl.gov/board-of-county-commissioners/ordinances/fertilizer
