1. Know why, how much, and what kind of fertilizer to apply in order to meet plant needs and avoid over-fertilizing. 2. Fast release, high nitrogen fertilizers can cause plant problems and water pollution because they flood plants with nutrients all at once rather than slowly releasing them. 3. Grass cycling, where lawn clippings are left on the lawn, is an effective natural fertilizer that saves money and time compared to bagging clippings and buying fertilizer, as it recycles nutrients back into the soil.

1. FERTILIZERS AND GRASS CYCLING Three Main Points: Know why, how much, and what kind of fertilizer to apply. 2. Fast release, high nitrogen fertilizers have the potential to cause plant problems and water pollution. 3. Grass cycling is an effective lawn fertilizer, and saves money and time.

2. Why Do We Fertilize? Q. Why do we fertilize? Replace nutrients that we’ve removed through harvest, pruning, mowing, etc. Aid plants not naturally adapted to some soils Push plants to meet the function that we desire Q. What is the function of landscaping? Beauty, visual satisfaction – green leaves, colorful flowers Planting for function – turf to play on, visual screen with hedge Consider PLANT FUNCTION before we consider FERTILIZER .

3. Best for the Environment Clean Water No Greenwaste No Pesticides

4. Fertilizers Organic: Synthetic: Reading A Bag of Fertilizer: What do the three numbers on a fertilizer bag stand for?

5. Example of Synthetic Fertilizer

6. Example of Organic Fertilizer

7. N – P - K

8. N-P-K Nitrogen – Phosphorus - Potassium Nitrogen (N) Stimulates photosynthesis, used for vegetative growth Sources Grass clippings and green leaves Organic sources fish emulsion blood, fish, cottonseed, soybean or alfalfa meals, high nitrogen bird or bat guanos Synthetic fertilizers

9. N-P-K Nitrogen – Phosphorus - Potassium Phosphorus (P) Stimulates flower, fruit and root production. Rose fertilizers have higher levels of phosphorus. Sources Synthetic fertilizers Organic sources Rock phosphates, bone meal, high P bird and bat guanos.

10. N-P-K Nitrogen – Phosphorus - Potassium Potassium (K) Stimulates plant vigor, and disease and pest resistance Sources Synthetic fertilizers Organic sources horse manures kelp mineral some soils

11. Nutrient Solubility

12. How do plants get nutrients in nature? Slow Release (insoluble) fertilizers closer to natural system Fast Acting (soluble) fertilizers for emergency use Describe a situation where a plant might need a fast acting fertilizer? Soluble (fast acting) and insoluble (slow release) nutrients.

13. 1. Wasted resources Once soluble fertilizers get wet, available all at once. 2. Fast acting fertilizers flood roots with only a few nutrients. 3. High solubility fertilizers = pollution potential Only 30 - 50% fertilizers may reach plant 4. Fast acting fertilizers cause pest problems Management Problems with High Solubility Nitrogen Fertilizers

14. Nutrient Source Advantage Disadvantage Greenwaste - Wide range of nutrients - Generated on-site: saves transport fees - No purchase costs - Compatible with existing soil micro-organism population - Low N-P-K value - May require shredding or composting, depending upon use - Slow release of nutrients Organic fertilizer - Wide range of nutrients - Benefits soil micro-organism populations - Low labor costs with infrequent app needs - High material costs Synthetic fertilizer – Slow release - Low labor costs with infrequent application needs - Narrow range of nutrients - High material costs - Potentially destructive to soil micro-organism populations Synthetic fertilizer –Fast release - Inexpensive material costs - Immediate plant response - Narrow range of nutrients - High labor costs w/ frequent apps. - Potentially destructive to soil micro-organism populations - Benefit only lasts a month - Potential to make plants more susceptible to pest problems

15. Ways To Prevent Problems From Fertilizers Avoid fast acting, high nitrogen fertilizers Add organic matter to soil (compost, mulch). Add organic supplements for plant strength and pest resistance Kelp Worm castings (worm manure) Compost Tea (a liquid fertilizer made by soaking compost and other materials) Adequate irrigation Fertilize only as much as and when necessary

16. Grass Cycling What does grass cycling mean ? Leave Clippings: More fertile soil More stable soil life Less compaction Healthier roots Better pest resistant Haul clippings: Must add fertilizer Starve micro-organisms Worse compaction Stressed roots More pest prone

17. Grass Cycling Facts Nitrogen from clipping can be recycled in 2 to 3 days (radio isotope studies) Average lawn = 300-400 lbs of clipping per 1,000 square feet per year 30 lbs of fertilizer with 8-4-6 analysis Advantages of Grass Cycling NO cost to buy: Save 35-75% of fertilizer costs SAVE time: 50% less time BETTER soil: Adds organic matter addition to soil SAVE your back: 300 – 400 lbs clippings per lawn

18. Fertilizer Field Exercise Distance of walking stride Square footage of two ‘lawns’ Amount of fertilizer for each lawn

19. Selecting and Applying Fertilizers for Water Quality Protection

20. Review Three Main Points: 1. Fertilize to meet plant FUNCTION 2. Benefits of insoluble and organic fertilizers 3. Grass cycling saves money, time and fertilizes the lawn What do we mean by PLANT FUNCTION? What does nitrogen do? What does phosphorus do? What does potassium do? Describe the links between fertilizers and pests: Ways to prevent problems from fertilizers: What does GRASS CYCLING mean? Why does it help you?

21. Homework: Check fertilizer bags you use. Look for total analysis, total N, soluble N. Use the chart to determine how much of this fertilizer to use and how often. Write down this information and bring to next class.