On June 6, 2012 the City of Punta Gorda adopted Ordinance 1710-12 establishing regulations for the use of fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus within the city limits. The newly enacted regulations apply to homeowners and commercial/institutional applicators of fertilizers.

• Fertilizers should be applied to turf and/or landscape plants
  • at the lowest rate necessary
  • no fertilizer containing nitrogen and/or phosphorus shall be applied during the rainy season, (June 1st through September 30th).
  • Single applications in the fall and spring will often suffice
  • fertilizer may not be applied to a single area more the six times a year

• Fertilizers shall contain no less than fifty (50) percent slow release nitrogen per guaranteed analysis label

• Phosphorus application rates shall not exceed
  • 0.25 pounds P2O5/1,000 square feet per application nor
  • exceed 0.50 pounds P2O5/1,000 square feet per year.

• Nitrogen applications rates per 1,000 sq ft total per:
  • Bahia-grass: 2 - 4 pounds
  • Bermuda-grass: 2 - 4 pounds
  • Centipede-grass: 2 - 3 pounds
  • St. Augustine-grass: 4 pounds.

• Deflector shields, spreader deflector shields are required when fertilizing by
• use of any broadcast spreader. Deflectors must

• be positioned such that fertilizer granules are deflected away from all impervious surfaces, buffer zones, and water bodies, including wetlands.          

• Buffer Zones
  • No fertilizer shall be applied within ten (10) feet, or three feet if a deflector shield is used, of any pond, stream, water course, lake, retention area, drain and drainage ditches, canal, any wetland, or top of seawalls

• Grass Clippings
  • No grass clippings, vegetative material, and/or vegetative debris be washed, swept or blown off into stormwater drains, ditches, conveyances, water bodies, wetlands, sidewalks or roadways.

• Commercial and institutional applicators of fertilizer shall abide by and successfully complete the 6 hour training program in the “Florida-Friendly Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries” offered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection through the University of Florida Extension “Florida-Friendly Landscapes” program. Private, non-commercial applicators are encouraged to follow the recommendation of the University of Florida IFAS “Florida Yards and Neighborhoods” program when applying fertilizers.

Florida Friendly Landscaping

Southwest Florida Water Management District - Fertilizer Facts