ENVIRONMENT
NEW FERTILIZER RULES
Plant GREENER Future By Yanira Pineda
M
uch like us, plants require light, water and nutrients to thrive. However, providing plants with the proper mix of nutrients is a challenge for anyone, but particularly those of us who don’t necessarily have a green thumb. Unfortunately, the go-to response for many of us has been to add fertilizer and call it a day. But that’s not necessarily the secret to a beautiful garden — and especially not a pristine environment. Hoping to avoid future fish kills and algal blooms like the ones we experienced last year in Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach this past January joined 105 other Florida municipalities and 13 counties in restricting the use of fertilizers during the state’s rainy season. It’s easy to remember the dates when the ban applies because it coincides with most of hurricane season — from June 1 through Nov. 1. What does this mean for Miami Beach homeowners who just want to have a pretty lawn? Most people probably won’t notice any difference at all. Here’s why: Most fertilizers include nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium — the three basic plant nutrients. If nutrient deficiency is what your plants are suffering from, fertilizers can sometimes help by improving the health of the soil. But fertilizers are often overused on lawns and gardens, something that has contributed to the low oxygen levels in Biscayne Bay. Biscayne Bay is considered an oligotrophic estuary — meaning it is characterized by low nutrient levels, making it particularly sensitive to fertilizers. During storms, rainfall carries fertilizer away from gardens, through storm drains and into the bay and other waterways. Too much nitrogen and phosphorous in the water from sources such as excess fertilizers, stormwater, septic tanks, and sewage leaks can pollute the waters and lead to seagrass die-offs and algae blooms,” said Rachel Silverstein, Miami Waterkeeper. “Enacting a strong fertilizer ordinance, like the one recently passed by the city of Miami Beach, is a wonderful first step to improving water quality. It’s really a win-win, preserving landscaping while improving water quality.” Not only can excess fertilizer have ecological impacts, it can also negatively affect human health. Algal blooms produce toxins that can be transmitted to people through seafood, while other toxins can become airborne and cause respiratory distress. Algal blooms can affect our economy by making it difficult to enjoy the water-based recreational activities that draw tourists from around the world.
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MB magazine | Spring 2021
Homeowners, property managers and landscaping professionals can help protect our natural habitats by following the rules in Miami Beach’s new fertilizer ordinance. The ordinance takes into account best management practices and establishes critical restrictions to minimize negative and cumulative environmental effects associated with the misuse or overuse of fertilizers. The new fertilizer rules incorporate best management practices and restrictions consistent with the “Florida-Friendly Landscaping” principles developed by the University of Florida and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s “Florida-Friendly Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries.” Specifically, the Miami Beach rules: 1. Prohibit fertilizer application from June 1 through Nov. 1 (accounting for rainy season and king tides). 2. Prohibit fertilizer application in fertilizer-free zones 20 feet adjacent to waterways and storm drains. 3. Recommend low maintenance zones of 10 feet adjacent to waterways and storm drains. 4. Establish proper fertilizer application rates and methods outside of the prohibited application period. 5. Require grass clippings and other vegetative matter be kept away from storm drains and waterways. 6. Establish minimum Florida-Friendly Landscaping and Low-Impact Design requirements for new golf courses and parks. 7. Require proper training of commercial and institutional fertilizer applicators. 8. Establish the Miami Beach Biscayne Bay Protection Fund dedicated to water conservation, nonpoint pollution prevention activities, water quality improvements and marine and coastal ecosystem enhancements. 9. Establish enforcement and penalties. Learn more about fertilizers and the new Miami Beach fertilizer rules by visiting: www.mbrisingabove.com/fertilizer.
A low maintenance zone is a green space adjacent to a waterway that does not require fertilization, watering or mowing. It is designed to capture and treat stormwater.
