news release

The Board of County Commissioners would like to remind all residents of Indian River County that the annual fertilizer blackout period, identified in the County’s Fertilizer Ordinance, begins June 1.

The fertilizer ordinance, which applies to both homeowners, landscapers and other lawn service businesses, states that, minus some bona fide exemptions, fertilizer cannot be applied during the June 1 to September 30 timeframe.

Restrictions the remainder of the year include not applying fertilizer during extreme weather or on saturated soils.  Additionally, fertilizer must also stay ten feet away from any wetland or water body. Newly planted turf and/or landscape plants may be fertilized in this zone only between 30 and 90 days after planting and only if necessary.

If using phosphorus, it is required that appropriate soil testing or a plant tissue deficiency test be conducted.  Please remember that when using nitrogen-based fertilizer it must contain a certain amount of slow-release nitrogen.

For more information visit the County’s website: ircgov.com/publicworks/stormwater or contact Alexis Peralta at aperalta@ircgov.com or 772-226-1565.

The BOCC urges everyone to do their part to protect Indian River County’s water resources.