best management practices for application of turf pesticides & fertilizers and yardscaping gary...
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Best Management Practices for Application of Turf Pesticides &
Fertilizers and YardScapingGary Fish
Board of Pesticides Control
287-2731
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
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) [email protected]
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
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