With dry season in full swing, Lee County residents should be mindful of when, where and how they fertilize in attempts to keep their lawns healthy during dry season.

Selecting a fertilizer can be as easy as following three simple steps. When choosing a fertilizer, look at the three numbers on the bag. The first number represents the percentage of nitrogen, the second refers to phosphorus and the third indicates potassium. The nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus can cause many water pollution issues.

Use a slow-release fertilizer. These products have less potential to leach or run off into our waterways than quick-release fertilizers. Examine the fertilizer sources on the back of the bag and find the amount of nitrogen that is “slow-release.” Slow-release nitrogen also results in less growth surge, which means less lawnmowing for you. The higher the percentage of slow-release, the better.

Do a soil test to determine if you need phosphorus – many Florida soils are naturally high in phosphorus. The UF/IFAS Extension Service in Lee County offers soil analysis; experts there can advise what your lawn may need based on the results of the soil test: sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lee.

The frequency of fertilizer application depends on your lawn’s needs, the amount of nitrogen in the bag and what percentage of that nitrogen is slow-release. For a quick answer, utilize Lee County’s fertilizer calculator: survey123.arcgis.com/share/d87ab916d6a14602a1cac53075dc526e?hide=description,footer.

Apply fertilizer when grass is actively growing, not when it is dormant, and adhere to the Lee County irrigation ordinance when watering in fertilizer. As always, be sure to follow Lee County’s year-round Fertilize Smart regulations: sweep up spills, do not fertilize if rain is forecast, avoid fertilizing on impervious surfaces and do not fertilize within 10 feet of water bodies.

From June 1 to Sept. 30, the blackout period per Lee County Ordinance 08-08 is in effect. For a full guide on how to Fertilize Smart, visit FertilizeSmart.com. To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters and follow on social media: www.leegov.com/socialmedia