§ 15-804. Fertilizer content; application rate.

(a)

No fertilizer shall be used unless labeled in accordance with state law.

(b)

No fertilizer containing phosphorus shall be applied to turf or landscape plants. Provided, however, where phosphorus deficiency has been demonstrated in the soil by a soil analysis test performed by a laboratory using University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences ("UF/IFAS") approved methodology, phosphorus may then be applied at a rate no greater than one-quarter (0.25) of one (1) pound of phosphorus per one thousand (1,000) square feet per application, not to exceed one-half (0.5) pound of phosphorus per one thousand (1,000) square feet per year. Any person who obtains such a soil analysis test showing a phosphorus deficiency may apply phosphorus and shall provide the test results to the Orange County Environmental Protection Division, Attention: Manager within thirty (30) days of receipt of results.

(c)

No fertilizer containing nitrogen shall be applied unless at least fifty (50) percent of its nitrogen content is slow release as indicated on the Guaranteed Analysis label, with no more than one (1) pound total nitrogen per one thousand (1,000) square feet of area per application. This requirement shall change to at least sixty-five (65) percent slow release if the product is readily available on the local commercial market by July 1, 2020.

(d)

Notwithstanding subsection 15-804(c), commercial applicators may apply fertilizer at a rate that does not exceed one-half (0.5) of one (1) pound of readily available nitrogen per one thousand (1,000) square feet of area, provided, however, that any application that exceeds one-half (0.5) of one (1) pound of nitrogen shall conform to subsection 15-804(c).

(e)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section 15-804, fertilizers applied to turf must follow the guidelines found in Rule 5E-1.003, F.A.C., as it may be amended.

(Ord. No. 2009-26 , § 1, 10-6-09; Ord. No. 2017-14 , § 6, 6-20-17)