Fertilizer Ban Starts in Pinellas

In Pinellas County, Florida, Lawn care companies are spraying for change. Starting June 1st, a new county ordinance bans the application of fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorous.

Michael Carli, the owner of Top Notch Pest Control, admits when talk of the ban first started he had some growing concerns. ''Because we relied on fertilizers for years to keep grass green,'' says Carli.

But Carli says he prepared his clients and his business for the ban. This spring, his crews applied a slow-release fertilizer on area lawns and he researched different products. ''Nothing is banned instantly. You always have enough time to prepare. So you can be angry or you can be prepared,'' Carli said.

The goal of the ban is to decrease pollution in area waterways. When it rains, the fertilizer often runs off and storm drains carry it to Tampa Bay. Nitrogen is one of the primary pollutants of Tampa Bay. It fuels algae blooms. The blooms cloud the water and prevent seagrasses from growing.

That's why groups like the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) have long promoted such bans. ''Seagrasses are very important. They're the cornerstone, really, of the ecology of Tampa Bay,'' says Holly Greening of TBEP.

Sarasota has had a rainy season ban for years and Hillsborough County holds a public hearing on a fertilizer ban June 10th. The idea is taking root across the state.