Sometimes Florida yards need fertilizer to help keep them healthy, but don't just empty a bag of fertilizer into your spreader without doing your homework. The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ recommends that you follow the directions on the package when choosing and applying fertilizers.
Applying too much fertilizer, too often or at the wrong time can cause water pollution. Use Florida-friendly fertilizing practices to help protect water quality while having a beautiful lawn.
*Know what to apply.* A good approach is to start with a soil test, which will tell you about your soil's pH (acidity or alkalinity) levels and other nutrient levels. You can get information on obtaining a soil test from "your county Extension office(UF/IFAS Extension)":http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map or visit "WaterMatters.org/yards(Flordia-Friendly Landscaping)":/yards.
*Choose the right mixture.* All fertilizer labels have three bold numbers on the front label representing the three major nutrients your lawn needs to thrive: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In general, select a fertilizer where the first and third numbers on the label are equal or in a 2:1 ratio and the middle number is zero or as low as possible.
*Go slow-release.* It takes a little longer for your yard to benefit from slow-release nitrogen, but the effects will last longer. Look for the terms "timed-release," "slow-release" or "controlled-release" on the label.
*Know how much to apply.* Measure your property and calculate the total square footage of turfgrass before you make a purchase. Don't guess! The package label will help guide you on how much to apply.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has created a series of tools to help you learn to use fertilizer appropriately. By visiting "WaterMatters.org/fertilizing":/yards/fertilizing, you can get step-by-step instructions on fertilizing appropriately as well as watch how-to videos. You can also order the free 20-page, "Do-It-Yourself Guide to Florida-Friendly Fertilizing" for more information.
Fertilizing appropriately is one of the nine principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, a set of guidelines developed by the "University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences(University of Florida IFAS)":http://www.ifas.ufl.edu to protect our natural resources while promoting beautiful landscapes.
Applying too much fertilizer, too often or at the wrong time can cause water pollution. Use Florida-friendly fertilizing practices to help protect water quality while having a beautiful lawn.
*Know what to apply.* A good approach is to start with a soil test, which will tell you about your soil's pH (acidity or alkalinity) levels and other nutrient levels. You can get information on obtaining a soil test from "your county Extension office(UF/IFAS Extension)":http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map or visit "WaterMatters.org/yards(Flordia-Friendly Landscaping)":/yards.
*Choose the right mixture.* All fertilizer labels have three bold numbers on the front label representing the three major nutrients your lawn needs to thrive: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In general, select a fertilizer where the first and third numbers on the label are equal or in a 2:1 ratio and the middle number is zero or as low as possible.
*Go slow-release.* It takes a little longer for your yard to benefit from slow-release nitrogen, but the effects will last longer. Look for the terms "timed-release," "slow-release" or "controlled-release" on the label.
*Know how much to apply.* Measure your property and calculate the total square footage of turfgrass before you make a purchase. Don't guess! The package label will help guide you on how much to apply.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has created a series of tools to help you learn to use fertilizer appropriately. By visiting "WaterMatters.org/fertilizing":/yards/fertilizing, you can get step-by-step instructions on fertilizing appropriately as well as watch how-to videos. You can also order the free 20-page, "Do-It-Yourself Guide to Florida-Friendly Fertilizing" for more information.
Fertilizing appropriately is one of the nine principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, a set of guidelines developed by the "University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences(University of Florida IFAS)":http://www.ifas.ufl.edu to protect our natural resources while promoting beautiful landscapes.