Palm Beach to impose seasonal fertilizer restrictions beginning June 1

The annual restrictions on the use of fertilizers in landscaping within the town take effect June 1.

Since 2019, the town has banned the use of fertilizers containing phosphorous and nitrogen during the rainy-season months. The ban, which runs through Sept. 30, does not apply to golf courses.

Nitrogen and phosphorous are nutrients that are natural parts of aquatic ecosystems. But when rain washes too much of those nutrients into canals, rivers and lagoons, the result can be damaging to the environment, Town Manager Kirk Blouin said.

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These nutrients can fuel the growth of cyanobacteria blooms — also known as blue-green algae — which decreases the oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive.

Some of these algae blooms produce elevated toxins and bacterial growth that can kill pets that swim in it and cause respiratory, skin and digestion problems in humans.

"Some of these blue-green algae blooms can cause serious harm to animals and pets, and cause health problems for those who swim in our waterways surrounding the town and around the state," Blouin said.

Code Enforcement employees will enforce the fertilizer rules, and the Public Works Department will ensure that the town's vendors do not use fertilizers on town property, Blouin said. Anyone with questions should call the town at 561-838-5440.

While seasonal fertilizer restrictions are set to take effect, the town has relaxed its restrictions on the collection of yard trash. The town's summer yard trash collection schedule began May 1 and continues through Oct. 31.

During that period, yard trash can be placed in the right-of-way not more than three days prior to the scheduled date of collection. The town defines right-of-way as "adjacent to the property from which it came."

The town's yard trash schedule can be accessed on the town's website or by calling the Public Works Department at 561-838-5440.

For Tuesday collection, residents can set out their trash the previous Saturday, Sunday or Monday.

Set-out days for Wednesday collection are Sunday, Monday and Tuesday; Thursday collection set-out days are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; and Friday collection set-out days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The town also advises residents that:

    • Yard vegetation can only result from trimming and pruning.

    •  Tree trimmings can be no longer than 8 feet long or 6 inches in diameter.

    • Piles of debris cannot extend into the street more than 6 feet from the curb or edge of pavement.

  • Yard trash cannot be left in plastic bags.

    • Yard trash cannot be placed in alleyways, sidewalks, or over stormwater drainage grates, or within 6 feet of utility poles, fire hydrants, streetlight poles, or trees with lower-hanging branches.

    • Stumps or logs will not be collected. Property owners are responsible for disposing of stumps or logs.