SOUTHWEST FLORIDA - You can make your yard the envy of your neighborhood without harming the environment.

Stephen Brown with Lee County Extension says it's as easy as buying a slow release fertilizer and using eco-friendly pesticides and insecticides. Brown says some of these products like insecticidal soap and pesticidal oil are made with items we use everyday, like canola oil and soap. He says read the labels next time you're at the hardware store. Brown adds...these types of products are environmentally friendly, kill the harmful bugs, and leave the beneficial ones alone.

Stephen Brown wants to remind people rainy season is not the time to be fertilizing your lawn. A Lee County ordinance which goes into effect next Spring bans residents from fertilizing during rainy season.

If you have any questions for Stephen Brown, call 533-7504.