Turf: Nature's Best Water Filter!

Research over the last ten years has demonstrated that storm water runoff from a healthy lawn rarely occurs. Not only does healthy turf grass slow the water and soil runoff, but it also protects surface water quality as it filters and cleans the water percolating into lakes, rivers, drainage systems and aquifers. In fact, University of FL research has shown that a properly fertilized lawn has less Nitrogen leaching than a mulched area with no fertilizer applied. Turf is truly natures's best filter. Fertilize responsibly.Keep the balance..

The Florida Friendly Fertilizer sticker is a pledge of environmental stewardship and a promise to protect what is worth protecting. Our plants, our environment, our water and our lives.

Did you know that healthy plants and turf are the number one environmental filters and air conditioners both at the same time?  Contaminants that could be bad for our environment are often used up and filtered by healthy plants.  The result is protection for our Florida lakes, streams, oceans and most importantly our aquifers.  Healthy turf cools the area too, making the temperature in your neighborhoods and local climate a little lower.  70 tons worth of air conditioning power is produced on a block of eight average homes thanks to the front lawns.  Talk about a high energy star rating!

Plants and turf can't do it on their own and just like you and I they require proper nutrition.  Many of the same nutrients our bodies require to survive are also required by plants to survive- Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Iron, Zinc, and even Copper.  In fact, many of the ingredients come from the same manufacture and are packaged differently.  One is labeled "Fertilizer" the other is "All Natural Vitamin Suppliments".  There are many other fertilizer ingredients we use on a daily basis for a variety of purposes- Boron, Phosphorous, Chlorine and the list goes on.  When is the last time you soaked in a "fertilizer bath"?  Well, maybe last week if it was Mag Sulfate aka Epson Salts.  Tums for an upset stomach? Iron suppliment for anemia? Yes, that's used as fertilizer too.  Compare labels on the sports drinks and many other items with a fertilizer label. We have more in common with plants than we realize.  

One of the most critical nutrients for any plant's survival is Nitrogen.  Nitrogen can get a bad rap but without Nitrogen, plants will not thrive.  It's plain and simple.  Nitrogen is good, but it's not so good when misused. Just like anything else in our daily lives, too much of one particular thing can be detrimental.  It's important that all plant nutrients are used at the proper time and dose.  

So the next time you see a Florida Friendly Fertilizer logo you can be assured that a particular homeowner or business has pledged to be responsible.  The right rate, right time, right place and right source of plant nutrition is a pledge of environmental stewardship and a promise to protect what is worth protecting- our plants, our environment, our water and our lives.

When you see a Florida Friendly Fertilizer logo you can be assured that a particular homeowner or business has pledged to be responsible.  

 

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