best management practices for application of turf pesticides & fertilizers and yardscaping gary...

Best Management Practices for Application of Turf Pesticides &

Fertilizers and YardScapingGary Fish

Board of Pesticides Control

287-2731

gary.fish@maine.gov

Why BMPs

Inappropriate application practices discovered after heavy spring rains of 2005

Water sampling results from USGS and FOCB

The Board continues to receive complaints about applications when weather forecasts are for heavy rains

USGS National Water Quality Assessment – 2006 Report Insecticides occurred

as frequently in urban streams as they did in agricultural streams

Herbicides detected in 99% of Urban stream samples

USGS National Water Quality Assessment – 2006 Report Phosphorous found

in urban streams at similar levels as in agricultural streams 70% of those

samples exceeded the EPA level for causing excessive algal growth

Aquatic Life Benchmarks

Pesticides are present throughout most of the year in streams draining watersheds with substantial urban areas, but are less common in ground water

Concentrations of pesticides were greater than water-quality benchmarks for aquatic life and (or) fish-eating wildlife in more than half of the streams with substantial urban areas in their watersheds

http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3028/pdf/fs2006-3028.pdf

Friends of Casco Bay Sampling– Pesticide residues detected in surface water in

Maine

• Diazinon up to (2.6 ppb)**• 2,4-D up to (36.4 ppb)• Dicamba up to (4.1 ppb)• MCPP up to (26 ppb)• MCPA up to (0.45 ppb)• Clopyralid up to (0.91 ppb)• Propiconazole up to (0.075 ppb)• Chlorothalonil up to (0.22 ppb)• Found Excess Nitrogen & Phosphorous in most

samples

– Pesticide residues detected in sediments

• Bifenthrin up to (37 ppb)• Permethrin up to (47 ppb)

• **Values in red exceed Aquatic

Life Criteria

BMP web page

The BMPs Site Assessment

Initial site visit Turf assessment prior to

treatment Thorough periodic assessments

Informed Product Choice Pesticides Fertilizers

Operating Standards Prior to application Application

Customer/Neighbor Relations Notification Customer education www.maine.gov/agriculture/pesticides/turf_bmps/

Site Assessment Initial site visit

Customer expectations Pest problems Site plan and measure Soil characteristics Slope and runoff Soil test Sensitive areas Grass species Intensity of use Sun exposure Record assessment

Site Assessment Turf assessment prior to treatment

Soil conditions Compacted, eroded, frozen, shallow,

saturated, exposed bedrock or ledge? Pest problems Turf health Watering

Frequency Intensity

Site Assessment Thorough periodic assessment

Annually Reassess the initial site visit criteria Customer expectations and desire for

service (This is now required) Review management records

Every 3 – 5 years Soil test Consider monitoring ground water for

nitrates at golf courses or sod farms or other intensively managed areas

Informed Product Choice Pesticides

Read labels & MSDSs Choose least toxic, least

persistent, lowest exposure

Use the WIN-PST criteria Check bee warnings Choose selective products Do spot treatments Choose low drift and low

volatility products

Weed & Feed

WIN-PST

http://go.usa.gov/Kok

Select slow release fertilizers GUARANTEED ANALYSIS Total Nitrogen (N)...…..................

….8.00%      1.0 % Water Soluble Nitrogen      7.5 % Water Insoluble NitrogenAvailable Phosphate (P205)..........….1.0 %Soluble Potash (K20)....................…1.0 % Derived from corn gluten, steamed bone meal & sulfate of potash

NON PLANT FOOD INGREDIENTS Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus pumulis, Bacillus megaterium, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Paenibacillus durum each @ 275,000 CFU per gram of finished product

Look for Water Insoluble Nitrogen (WIN)

Informed Product Choice Fertilizers

Choose slow- or timed-release N (WIN – Water insoluble nitrogen) Apply at 1 pound/1000 square

feet or less Avoid ammonium nitrate or

sulfate and calcium nitrate Do not apply quick release N

above ½ pound/1000 sq. ft. Use P-Free fertilizer unless

soil test indicates need or when establishing seed

Operating Standards

Prior to application Check site for people & pets Sensitive individuals nearby Toys, sandboxes, pet dishes

present? Open windows? 24-hour weather forecast Record current conditions Calibrate equipment frequently

Operating Standards Application

Base applications on soil characteristics

Never apply when there is standing water

Never apply to saturated soils Never apply to frozen ground Never apply when temperature

exceeds 85°F Follow label temperature

requirements

Operating Standards Application – continued

Never apply until soil warms to 50 - 55°F at 3” soil depth

Never apply between December 1 and April 1 (unless fungicide for snow mold)

Consider forecasted rains Avoid application when wind is

below 3 mph or above 10 mph Do not apply pesticides if rain or

irrigation is imminent, unless specified by label

Do not apply if moderate or heavy rain is imminent regardless of label statements

Never apply to impervious surfaces

Operating Standards Application – continued

Never apply near areas prone to runoff, i.e., culverts, drains, drainageways or wells

Never apply to bare ground unless establishing seed

Cover seed to prevent erosion Clean up spills immediately Never leave materials on impervious

surfaces Lightly water-in fertilizers When the label directs, assure that

pesticides are watered in as directed

Operating Standards Application – continued

Fill spreader on hard surface

Use a drop spreader near sensitive areas

Leave a 25-foot buffer of untreated vegetation near water bodies

Manage pests with spot applications

Customer/Neighbor Relations Notification

Remind customer annually about right to request labels and SDSs

When requested, always provide labels and/or SDSs

When requested always notify customers and/or neighbors at least 24 hours prior to applications

After application inform customers/neighbors about treatments Need for watering Re-entry period

Customer/Neighbor Relations Customer Education

Customers must know when their expectations are too high and should know the limitations like: Soil depth & texture Soil pH and nutrient imbalances Grass species limitations Proper mowing & watering Soil compaction & thatch depth Need for buffers around wells, water,

etc. Low risk control options Slow-release & P-Free fertilizer

options

25-foot buffer zone required next to waters and wetlands

Applies to all terrestrial “Broadcast” applications Except stinging insect and

arthropod vector control, and Man-made Ag wetlands, e.g.,

Cranberry bog areas

Variances may be granted if the Board approves and protections are reasonably equivalent

Regional Lawn Nutrient Recommendations–U-Conn/Cornell Nitrogen Standards

If the existing lawn is acceptable, no need for fertilizer

Do not apply before spring green-up and no later than September 15th (NNE) or October 15th (SNE)

Apply no more than 1/2 to 1/3 of a pound of nitrogen in any 1 application

Slow release formulations are preferable When a soil test indicates adequate P or K, use N

only On lawns that are 10 years or older apply a

maximum of 2 lbs N/1000 per season Newer lawns may require 3 lbs N/1000 per season

Regional Lawn Nutrient Recommendations - continued

When seeding a new lawn amend the soil to get organic matter up to 3% to 5%

Mow high (3 inches) and return clippings Choose tall or fine fescues because they require less

nutrients and water – Avoid KBG Maintain soil pH levels between 5.5 and 6.5 Consider introduction of white clover or other low

growing legumes to provide natural nitrogen Start testing soil for nitrates and base application rates on

need (this is experimental right now) Avoid using combination fertilizer and pesticide products

Regional Lawn Nutrient Recommendations - continued Phosphorus Standards

If the existing lawn is acceptable, no need for fertilizer

Soil test for P – do not guess Frank Rossi at Cornell says P is only needed on the

poorest of soils Avoid P fertilizers on bare ground or low density

lawns, unless seeding Use P-free next to water unless soil test shows very

low phosphorus

Regional Lawn Nutrient Recommendations - continued

Avoid application of P prior to heavy or moderate rains

Maintain pH between 5.5 and 6.5 Never apply to saturated or frozen ground Soil test annually for P if using organic

fertilizer or composts Avoid combination fertilizer and pesticide

products

YardScaping… for a healthy

MaineGary Fish, CoordinatorMaine YardScaping Partnership (207) 287-2731gary.fish@maine.gov

The Partnership is very diverse!

YardScaping

• A new paradigm?

• Some call it “Sustainable Landscaping” or “Ecological Landscaping”

• We want to keep it simple

YardScaping Mission

• To inspire Maine people to – create and maintain

healthy landscapes – through ecologically based

practices that – minimize reliance on

water, fertilizer and pesticides

Have we finally hit the top of the curve?

•Includes lawn and tree care company applications

The Ten-ets of YardScaping

• Promote buffers

• Promote appropriate plants - native

plants and non-invasive alien plants

• Reduce lawn area

• Reduce runoff

• Reduce reliance on pesticides,

fertilizers and water

• Promote low input lawns and

landscapes

• Promote YardScape diversity

• Create wildlife habitats

• Right plant, right place, right use

• Commonsense pest management

(IPM)

Use site appropriate, non-invasive plants

• Native plants are often well adapted– Fewer problems, less

work, more rewards, but not all are problem free, e.g., viburnums

• Invasive plants are easy to grow but crowd out native vegetation– Our local forest habitats

are changing rapidly– Invasive plants can ruin

wildlife habitat

Beautiful Native

Shadbush

Problematic Native Viburnum

Deadly Invasive Oriental

Bittersweet

Right plant, right place, right purpose

• Choose plants based on the area to be planted not just for their color

• Select plants that thrive under existing conditions rather than trying to alter the conditions to meet the needs of a plant

• Minimize disturbance of the existing landscape Wild Cranberry Bog

Right plant, right place

Beach plum – dry sunny site

Partridgeberry – wet shady site

Staghorn Sumac – large open dry bank

Use a diversity of plants & grasses• Monocultures lead to

disasters

• Diversity leads to less noticeable damage from pests and disease– Incorporate many layers

of plant types• Trees• Shrubs• Ground covers• Perennials, and• Lawns

Create wildlife habitats

• Diversity and plant layers go hand in hand with habitat creation

• Add nectar and fruit producing plants

• Strive for continuous blooms

• Add water, walls, feeders, woody debris

Reduce lawn area

• Reduces– Water & air

pollution– Water usage– Maintenance– Costs

• Gives– More free time

One hour on riding mower = 400

miles

Mower exhaust = 11 small cars’ exhaust

Use low input plant varieties

• Fine fescue or tall fescue instead of Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass

• Pagoda dogwood vs flowering cherry

• River birch vs paper birch

Fine fescue

Tall fescue

Protect lakes & streams with buffers

• Preserve existing landscape

• Winding paths

• Don’t mow to lake’s edge

• Leave the duff

Reduce runoff• Reduce amount of

pervious (hard) surfaces

• Create rain gardens or install rain barrels

• Direct water into vegetated areas

Porous pavemen

t

Reduce reliance on pesticides, fertilizers and water• Grow plants that are

resistant to insects & diseases

• Use plants that tolerate low fertility

• Use drought resistant plants

Sweet Fern

White Fir

Use common sense pest management

• Integrated pest management– Know your pest– Pick it, trap it or exclude it– Know the good bugs– Mow, prune or water– Use pesticides as last resort

Weed Control Approach(BASIC STRATEGY - dense, tall turf tends to

reduce weed invasion)

Seed is the best weed control!

Mow high, 3 inches MINIMUM

Promote root growth – fertilize in early fall

Reduce wear and compaction - encourage foot traffic away from turf; core aerify twice per year and overseed at same time

Overseed or slit-seed open areas ASAP!

Spot treatment with herbicides only when necessary.

Are there alternatives?

Corn gluten meal has demonstrated pre-emergent herbicide activity

Rather expensive and a weak herbicide

Most action - nutrient value from meal breakdown - added fertility thickens turf and reduces weed germination

Weed flamers and spikes “Punto”

Hot water foam and steamers

Mostly used in cities where herbicides have been banned

Punto

Choose the right grass varieties for Maine

Insect tolerance Some Some ExcellentGoodDisease toleranceSome Some Good Good

Plant or over-seed with low maintenance grass types

• Fine Fescues 40 - 50%– Creeping Red– Hard – Chewings

• Tall Fescue

• Common Kentucky Bluegrass

• Endophyte enhanced perennial rye or fescues

• Plant grass seed in late summer/early fall

• Avoid sod

YardScaping Mix40% Endophyte Enhanced Creeping Red Fescue

10% Southport Chewings Fescue30% Endophyte Enhanced Perennial Ryegrass

20% Kenblue KBG

Low Maintenance Lawn Benefits – 2000 CMHC study of 30 residences

• Residents with low-maintenance lawns spent – 50 per cent less time, – 85 per cent less money, and

• used – 50 per cent less fuel, – 85 per cent less fertilizer, – 100 per cent less water and – 100 per cent less pesticides per

year

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/burema/gesein/abhose/abhose_076.cfm

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/

Sustainable plant selection

Where to learn more

http://www.yardscaping.org

YardScaping booklet that you can download

http://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/pesticides/yardscaping/documents/New_YardScaping_Booklet.pdf

www.gotpests.org

Where to learn more

YardScaping… For a healthy Maine