A reminder from the Indian River Neighborhood Association to residents of Indian River County, City of Vero Beach, Sebastian and Orchid.
We are coming into our rainy season when more nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous are likely to be washed from our lawns, driveways and roads into the storm water system and, ultimately, into our local waterways such as the Indian River Lagoon.
The fertilizer ordinances passed by our communities goes into effect June 1st. It prohibits the use of lawn fertilizer between June 1st and September 30th. No fertilizer containing Phosphorous is to be used anytime. All fertilizers must contain at least 50% slow release Nitrogen. Finally, no fertilizer is to be applied within 10 feet of any water body.
If you use a lawn care provider, please discuss these regulations with them. For details regarding the ordinance and fertilizing tips, please see www.ircgov.com or email Alexis Peralta, the County’s Storm water educator and fertilizer enforcement officer, at aperalta@ircgov.com.
Complying with the fertilizer ordinance and reporting any violators is one way we can contribute to cleaning up our local waters.