Yard owners listen up. An ordinance geared to protect the Suncoast's bays and estuaries goes into effect today, and if you don't follow it you could have to pay a hefty fine.

Last year, the county approved a fertilizer and landscape management ordinance and today marks the first summer-restricted season. If you use a fertilizer during the rainy season from June 1st thru September 30th it has to contain zero nitrogen and zero phosphorous.

Lush,green, lawns. It's something many strive for and to help we apply fertilizer, but that could do more harm than good. "It can increase our algae blooms and it also increases the greenness of the water so its not as clear," says Theresa Connor of Sarasota County environmental Services.

Sarasota County is becoming the first county on the Suncoast to restrict the use of fertilizers that contain nitrogen and phosphorous during the rainy season.

"Currently, the biggest threat to our bays and estuaries is nitrogen pollution and storm water run off, and the biggest source of nitrogen is from fertilizer," says Connor. 

It's really important to abide by this ordinance. If you are caught using the wrong type of fertilizer you could face fines up to $500 dollars.

But finding a fertilizer that meets the Sarasota Ccounty ordinance requirements is difficult. "So right now Dynomite Summersafe is the only commercially available product to the homeowner...to the consumer as well, as one of the few that's available to the professional industry the landscapers the developers," says Brian Patterson of Florikan ESA. 

Patterson, with Florikan, the manufacturer of fertilizers, is based right here on the Suncoast company. With the county's fertilizer restrictions they developed a product that meets the requirements.  "As long as you are showing a zero in the first two digits of the analisis...that is a summer safe product or a product that's available to use during the sarasota county fertilizer ordinance."

So keeping your yard beautiful during these hot months can still happen, just make sure you check the ingredients.

The new ordinance does not apply to newly established turf for the first 60 days following installation.

The county suggests you watch how you use fertilizer all year long.  First, follow the directions closely more is not better. Look for a fertilizer that is slow release meaning it will gradually fertilize your lawn over the course of several months.  If you are near a body of water don't fertilize within 10 feet. That way the fertilizer doesn't run off into it.  Also, keeping your grass around the water a little longer acts as a filter, which can help as well.