Can you fertilize your lawn in the summer in Orlando?
No. In Orlando (Orange County), it is illegal to apply any nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizer from June 1 through September 30 – the summer rainy season – to keep nutrients out of Central Florida’s waterways. Only zero-nitrogen, zero-phosphorus products (such as iron or potassium-only blends) may be used during the ban. From October 1 through May 31, nitrogen fertilizer is allowed but must be at least 65% slow-release, capped at 3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year, and kept 25 feet from any pond, lake, or canal. Orange County’s ordinance governs Orlando.
Source: Orange County / UF/IFAS Extension. Updated 2026-06-15.
| Period / Rule | What is allowed (Orange County) |
|---|---|
| June 1 – September 30 | No nitrogen or phosphorus – zero-N, zero-P products only |
| October 1 – May 31 | Nitrogen allowed; must be at least 65% slow-release |
| Annual nitrogen cap | 3 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per year |
| Phosphorus | Only if a soil test shows a deficiency |
| Setback from water | 25 feet (no-fertilizer zone) |
| Governing rule | Orange County (stricter than the City of Orlando ordinance) |
What fertilizer can you use during the Orlando summer ban?
During the June 1-September 30 ban you may only apply products with zero nitrogen and zero phosphorus. Iron (for green-up without growth), potassium, and most soil amendments like compost are allowed. Avoid any bag whose first or middle N-P-K number is above zero. This keeps your lawn legal while the summer rains would otherwise flush nitrogen and phosphorus into local lakes.
What is the slow-release nitrogen rule in Orange County?
From October 1 through May 31, any nitrogen fertilizer applied in Orange County must contain at least 65% slow-release (controlled-release) nitrogen. Slow-release feeds the lawn gradually, so less leaches through Central Florida’s sandy soil into groundwater. Check the guaranteed analysis on the bag for the slow-release percentage before you buy.
How much nitrogen can you apply to an Orlando lawn per year?
Orange County caps lawn nitrogen at 3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year, applied only in the October-through-May window and only as 65%+ slow-release. St. Augustine and Zoysia in Central Florida generally do well within this cap when paired with proper mowing and irrigation. Over-applying is both illegal and wasteful on fast-draining sandy soil.
Does the fertilizer ban apply to Orlando suburbs?
Orange County’s ordinance covers Orlando and unincorporated Orange County. Most surrounding Central Florida counties – including Seminole, Osceola, and Lake – have adopted similar summer fertilizer ordinances with a June 1-September 30 rainy-season blackout, but the exact terms can differ by county and city. Confirm your specific jurisdiction’s rule before fertilizing.
Why is summer fertilizer banned in Central Florida?
Central Florida’s heavy June-September rains fall on fast-draining sandy soil, so nitrogen and phosphorus applied in summer wash off lawns and into lakes, rivers, and the aquifer, where they fuel algae blooms. The seasonal ban targets the window when fertilizer is most likely to pollute, which is also when warm-season grass needs feeding least.