Smart Yard, Healthy Gulf is a new public education campaign from the Gulf of Mexico Alliance that is designed to reduce fertilizers entering local waters by helping people make responsible lawn fertilizer decisions.

Applying the proper amount of fertilizer at the proper time(s) of the growing season keeps your lawn looking vibrant. It can save you time and money. Not only will you continue to have a yard you're proud of, but you'll be doing your part to keep the Gulf of Mexico resilient and healthy, including the seafood you love to eat!

Here's what you can do to have a Smart Yard for a Healthy Gulf:

If you decide to fertilize, do so when your grass is actively growing. In coastal Mississippi and Alabama, mostly warm season grasses are grown that don't need fertilizer in the fall, winter, and early spring. Wait until late spring or summer.Summertime is the Right Time to fertilize warm season grasses along the northern Gulf of Mexico. Some grasses are able to stay beautifully green without fertilizer, so find out if your lawn is able to thrive fertilizer free.
Talk to a local gardening volunteer expert, known as a Master Gardener. A Master Gardener can help you determine how much and how often your lawn needs fertilizer.