Lee County Government reminds homeowners and professional landscapers to “Stop Fertilizing Gnome Matter What” now until Tuesday, Sept. 30. Fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorous may not be applied to turf or landscape plants in unincorporated Lee County within this period.

To raise awareness about the fertilizer ordinance, Lee County is continuing its successful 2024 campaign, featuring a gnome named Lee helping to spread the word on billboards, television ads, social media posts and more. The goal of the campaign is to remind homeowners and landscapers to follow the guidelines and commit to safe landscaping practices while the ordinance is in effect.

During the summer months when Southwest Florida sees the most rain, improper and unnecessary fertilization can result in runoff that sends nutrients into local waterways. These excess nutrients can feed harmful algal blooms, resulting in negative impacts on county waterbodies, the Caloosahatchee and the Gulf.

Preventing these blooms and protecting Southwest Florida’s water means adjusting lawncare routines. Homeowners should stop fertilizing and start trimming trees and preparing outdoor areas for hurricane season. Lee County encourages residents and professional landscapers to follow the summer ordinance and use the following practices year-round:

• Don’t fertilize if rain is forecasted.

• Keep a 10-foot barrier between fertilized landscape and bodies of water.

• Sweep up spills instead of washing spilled granules away with a hose.

For more information on how to fertilize smart, visit FertilizeSmart.com. To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter HERE. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook.