Lawn fertilization in Mount Dora, FL

What month to fertilize a lawn in Mount Dora

UF/IFAS splits Florida into north, central and south regions for lawn fertilizer timing, and Lake County falls in central. For St. Augustine and Bahia that means a first feeding in spring, once the grass has greened up and is actively growing, and a last one in early fall. Feeding a lawn that is still dormant in February only feeds the weeds and the lake.

Under the Lake County standard, which we hold every lawn to, that leaves two windows: spring, before June 1, and fall, after September 30. Summer greening comes from micronutrient blends with no nitrogen or phosphorus, which the county standard allows.

Which fertilizer rules apply at a Mount Dora address

Lake County’s fertilizer ordinance covers unincorporated Lake County. Cities inside the county can adopt their own rules; Tavares, for example, has its own inside its city limits. So the rule that applies depends on whether your address is inside city limits or in unincorporated Lake County.

We follow the one that covers your address, and by default we hold every lawn to the county standard. Following the stricter standard keeps a lawn compliant either way. The county standard is:

• June 1 to September 30No nitrogen or phosphorus on turf. Micronutrient summer blends without nitrogen or phosphorus are allowed.
• 15-foot bufferNo fertilizer within 15 feet of any pond, stream, lake, canal or wetland, at any time of year.
• October 1 to May 31Nitrogen fertilizer must be at least 50% slow-release.

Slow-release, deflector on, 15 feet from the water

• Slow-release nitrogenAt least half the nitrogen is slow-release, so a summer storm doesn’t wash a quick-release dose into a storm drain.
• Deflector onA deflector or drop spreader along every bed, walk and driveway, and any granules blown back onto the grass.
• 15-foot bufferThe setback from ponds, lakes, canals and wetlands measured and left untreated.
• Watching the forecastWe don’t apply right before a heavy rain forecast.
• By the rulesApplied under Florida’s fertilizer application rules and the rule that covers your address.

Fertilizing under Mount Dora’s oaks

Grass under Mount Dora’s live oaks is thin because of shade, not hunger. Extra fertilizer there pushes leaf growth the grass can’t support with the light it gets. Shaded areas get less, not more, and where the shade is too deep for any grass, a planted or mulched bed is the better answer.

Fertilizer yes, weed killer no

We don’t apply weed killer, herbicide or pesticide, and we don’t use weed-and-feed products. Weeds in beds are pulled by hand. If you see chinch bug damage, the spreading yellow-to-brown patches along a hot driveway, a licensed pest control company is the right call.

Ready for a number? Use the form or call (352) 383-9213. Mount Dora Lawn Care is run by Golden Lawn Care, the Eustis crew behind this site.