I was in Lowes yesterday and found out that Pinellas County (St. Pete) and a couple of others I can't remember, have banned the sale of fertilizers from June 1 till October. From what they were saying, several more counties will be banning them next year. This is to reduce the runoff of fertilizers into the waterways during rain season.

That's right, Jan. Last year you could buy it but wern't suppose to use it. That didn't work so this year you can't buy it either. The ban applies to fertilizers containing nitrogen and/or phosphorus. You can still buy potash to put around your palms and so forth. I expect other counties to follow along quickly but there will be resistance in areas dependent on agriculture. Heavy nitrogen and phosphorus runoff during the rainy season contributes to algae growth in our waterways.

Jim

Thanks. I don't fertilize heavily anyway preferring the "survival of the fittest". LOL The most I'm guilty of is good old horse manure. I'm not sure how they will be able to enforce it for homeowners unless they plan on doing random soil tests.

My own personal opinion is that this is just another attempt to eliminate grass. I'm not saying that this is good or bad but if you combine this with water restrictions and certain chemical bans (Atrizine, etc.) it looks like the government is trying to edge out the traditional yard.

I like horse manure as well but you sure get a lot of weeds with it.

Jim

Honestly, I have never had a problem with weeds as long as it has been composted a long time to create a good inner heat. I have done away with most of my grass because my lot is small and I prefer to have more room for plants. I got tired of battling the weeds like crabgrass.

And perhaps it's time for the traditional yard to "be edged out". IMHO it's way PAST time. However, having said that, I do believe in FREEDOM but when it comes down to killing our lakes, rivers & streams as well as running the state out of drinking water.... Which will impeed the freedom of millions of people...... What's that old saying about desperate times calling for desperate measures?

Okay, okay, off my soapbox. Started to forget the old rule about no politics. But then again; it DOES have to do with gardening. You going to let me slide Jan?

Yep

The most irrigated crop in America is turf grass, which is mostly a useless crop that you can't eat. The fertilizers that run off the flat lawns in America wind up in our water systems and lakes.

I'd love to see a future where we forego lawns altogether and instead have good well-mulched gardens around our houses, producing beautiful flowers and self-sustaining vegetable plots!

My lot is not large, only 64 x 110 but the back yard is grass free because it is a small nursery and is mostly weed fabric & mulch and plantings.
The front yard is mainly beds with a narrow strip of grass between which I will be working on when the weather cools to replace with mulch and ground cover.

We see a trend towards people getting rid of their wasteful grass lawns. But slowly....