Florida Yards & Neighborhoods 
Fertilize Appropriately
By Ed Ayen, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods
This is another in a series of articles written about the new area urban conservation program called Florida Yards & Neighborhoods.
Fertilizing your grass appropriately can produce a strong healthy lawn with minimal pollution of ground and surface water. A plush, healthy lawn will require less chemical controls for weeds, insects and diseases.
When selecting a fertilizer, look at the three numbers on the bag. They will read something like 15-0-15. The first number is the percentage of nitrogen in the bag, the second is phosphorous and the third is potassium. Since most Florida soils are naturally high in phosphorous, you may not need to apply that element, so a 15-0-15 will do nicely.
It is best to apply a fertilizer with slow release nitrogen as they have less potential to leach or run off into our waterways. The bag should be marked “slow release” or if not look at the ingredient listing on the back of the bag. Then look for the amount of nitrogen marked slow release; the higher the percentage, the less chance of leaching.
How much fertilizer to apply depends on your desired level of plushness. If you are applying a good slow release fertilizer (50% nitrogen in a slow release form) you may apply up to one pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet. That would be 6.6 pounds of a 15-0-15 per application. When applying a “drop” spreader is recommended as it gives you a more even spread. Try not to fertilize when heavy rain is expected as this will increase the potential for run off and leaching.
In this area of Florida we recommend fertilizing twice a year, once in March and then again in October. To green your lawn up in the summer, without increasing growth, apply chelated iron or iron sulfate.
Native trees and shrubs will require minimal fertilizer, if any. The roots of a mature tree may extend 60 feet or more out into your lawn; so any fertilizer you apply to your lawn also fertilizes the tree. Shrub roots also extend quite a distance so are also picking up fertilizer from your lawn application. If trees and shrubs are not located near fertilized turfgrass, additional nitrogen may be applied to enhance growth. Here again, do not exceed 1 pound of actual nitrogen per application of a good slow release fertilizer. Maximum recommended yearly application is 2 pounds of nitrogen.
Palms have different nutritional requirements. For palms use a fertilizer with a ratio of 4-1-6-2 Mg or equivalent where the last number is for magnesium. Palms require magnesium along with other micronutrients such as iron, manganese, zinc, copper and boron. Look for specialty palm fertilizers and follow the recommendations on the label.
Citrus trees also require special micronutrients or minor elements for good health, so use specialty citrus fertilizers and follow label recommendations.
The Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program is being implemented through your local county extension service in Highlands, Okeechobee and Glades County and is partially funded from Clean Water Act Section 319 funding from the U. S. EPA through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Ed Ayen is available to address interested groups such as homeowners associations, voluntary organizations and clubs. For further information he can be reached by calling the Highlands County Extension Service office. Phone: (863)402-6540 or email. Location is 4509 George Blvd., Sebring, FL 33875-5837