Fertilizing in the Dry Season: What You Need to Know

Published on November 19, 2025

Lawn Fertilizer

Written by: Jake Denelsbeck, Environmental Specialist 1 

In Pinellas County there is a ban on nitrogen and phosphorus rich fertilizers between June 1st and September 30th.  This yearly ban is in place to help prevent  our excess nutrients from entering our waterways and causing harmful algal blooms. But what about when rainy season is over? We have some best practices for applying fertilizer outside of the rainy season and unique alternative offered right here in Dunedin.

Weather Restrictions

The first, and simplest “Don’t," is to watch the weather forecast. When the National Weather Service issues any of the following warnings, put the fertilizer away!

  • Severe thunderstorm warning or watch
  • Flood warning or watch
  • Tropical storm warning or watch
  • Hurricane warning or watch
  • If the rain forecast is greater than or equal to 2 inches within 24 hours

It's important not to fertilize your lawn with rain in the forecast. The nitrogen and/or phosphorus will run off into the street, then into the nearest storm drain and finally to the closest water body, such as the St. Jospeh Sound or our Hope Spot.

Application Limits

After ensuring that the weather is clear in the coming days, you must next factor in the amount of fertilizer you are planning to use based on how much you have already used throughout the year. You may only use up to 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year and you cannot apply any nitrogen to new turfgrass or plantings for 30 days. When it comes to applying phosphorus rich fertilizer, you may not apply ANY unless a phosphorus deficiency is confirmed through a soil test. If you are unsure about how much to apply, or if you even have to apply fertilizer in the first place, please refer to UF IFAS Florida Friendly Landscaping Program.

Fertilizer-Free Areas

Another aspect of applying fertilizer correctly is your proximity to the nearest surface water, landward edge of a seawall and/or a designated wetland. If your lawn is 10 feet from a body of water, skip the fertilizer. There is too much risk associated with using fertilizer too close to water.

Impervious surfaces are also considered fertilizer-free areas, including streets or sidewalks, where fertilizer can end up being carried straight to waterbodies like the St. Joseph Sound. The easiest methods to prevent this from happening are to:

  • Sweep all grass clippings and yard waste from the sidewalk to your lawn,
  • Point mower faces away from the sidewalk and street,
  • Use reflector and deflector shields where appropriate.

Alternative Option

The rules for using store-bought nitrogen and/or phosphorus-rich fertilizer can be confusing, so why not pursue an alternative? Consider composting! The City of Dunedin offers a program, Dunedin Does Compost, that empowers our citizens to do their own backyard composting. To receive your very own free composting bin, follow these three steps:

  1. You must live in Dunedin,
  2. You must complete the online course and take a short quiz,
  3. You must complete the bin request form.

Backyard composting reduces food waste, improves carbon sequestration, decreases stormwater runoff, reduces soil erosion and increases overall resilience of the soil it is incorporated with. There is no yearly restriction on compost application, so please consider it if your plants need some extra nutrients. Happy composting!

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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