Having a Great Lawn and Working Within the Many Regulations Chuck Schuster cfs@umd.edu 301-590-2807
Lawn Types Most lawns grown in the Mid Atlantic Region are cool season grasses, fescues, bluegrass, ryegrasses. Warm season grasses are used in certain locations. Warm season grasses include Zoysia and Bermuda. HOW CAN I TELL THE DIFFERENCE???
Lawn Types Understanding which lawn types you are working with determines mowing height, watering needs, and fertilizer requirements. Before doing anything, determine the type of turf you are working with, warm or cool season turf!
What Makes a Lawn Grow? Cool Season Grasses Good soil ( this is hard to change) Proper moisture, and drainage Proper aeration Appropriate nutrients
The Growing Year Cool Season Grasses
The Growing Year From Late November until Mid February, the lawn is Dormant. As March approaches the root system starts to become active. The top of the turf starts to show life during late March and into April. 60% of all top growth occurs from April through Mid June Summer Stress Slows Growth from Mid June Through August
The Laws That Govern Fertilizer Use Act of 2011 Establishes regulations for homeowners applications of turf nutrients. Designed to reduce the amount of nutrients washing into the Chesapeake Bay
Who Does this Law Affect? Lawn care professionals Golf course superintendents Public Park Recreational areas Any other non agricultural source (homeowners)
What Does the Law Limit? Lawn fertilizers: Phosphorus Nitrogen
Not Limited by the Act Timing of application Lime to correct ph (though ph will affect availability of nutrients) K 2 O- not limited but should only be used as neededcurrently not noted as a potential pollutant.
Ways to Reduce Nitrogen Applications Established lawns over 10 years old have enough organic material present so you can reduce nitrogen by 1 lb of nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year Maximum application rates of WS nitrogen cannot exceed 0.7 lb/ 1000 sq ft. per application (between November 15 and Dec 1 it reduces to 0.5 lb/1000 sq ft) Turf species less for fine fescues and tall fescue compared to bluegrass.
Restricts Phosphorus Restricts the amount of P 2 O 5 in lawn fertilizer. Exceptions for starter fertilizer New lawns do not need soil test for first application but P 2 O 5 must be incorporated. Before the second application of fertilizer you must run a soil test. If soil test results show phosphorus is optimal/excessive then no additional P 2 O 5 can apply any
Restrictions on Phosphorus Additional Restrictions for organic fertilizers Limited to 0.25 lb P 2 O 5 per 1000 sq ft per application. A total of 0.5 lb/ 1000 sq ft P 2 O 5 can be applied annually.
Why the Concern? Note that turf fertilizer use is fast approaching that of crops in Maryland. 1% 1% 1% Turf Acres in 2005 Land Use Crops vs. Turf Turf 48.8% Crops 51.2% 1% 1% 2% 3% 7% 0% 0% 83% Single Family Homes County Government Schools Parks & Athletic Fields Golf Courses Religious Facilities State Highways Sod Farms Apartments Airports Cemeteries
Homeowners No longer able to purchase P bearing lawn fertilizer without a soil test. Restricts use of nitrogen fertilizers between November 16 and March 1. Enforcement to be done by local municipalities.
The Goal is to Reduce Phosphorus
Optimum Turf growth requires proper management. This Includes Appropriate Nutrient application amounts and timing Proper mowing heights
Mowing Heights Turf Type Kentucky Bluegrass Spring and Summer (inches) Autumn and Winter (inches) 2.5-3.0 2.0 Perennial Ryegrass 2.5-3.0 2.0 Tall Fescue 2.5-3.0 3.0 Fine-Leaf Fescue 3.0-4.0 3.0 Zoysia 0.5-1.0 0.5-1.5
Decrease nitrogen Reduce total amount of nitrogen to a lawn/turf If using the high rate of nitrogen, 20% must be in a slow release form Use your state recommendations for predominate species of turf in a lawn.
Reduce Nitrogen Products Labeled as Fertilizer can no longer be used as a de-icer. (Pet friendly de icer?) Never apply fertilizer to frozen ground, even if the date is met.
New Statements on Labels Do not apply near water, storm drains or drainage ditches. Do not apply if heavy rain is expected. Apply this product only to your lawn and sweep any product that lands on the driveway, sidewalk, or street, back onto your lawn.
Spring Fertilization Increases top growth (and mowing) at the expense of root growth. Produces a turf more susceptible to insects and disease. Lack of root development increases risk during drier times of late summer.
Spring Fertilization University of Maryland Recommendations indicate spring fertilization can occur 1 month before top growth starts through early June and Late August through 6 weeks after first killing frost. These recommendations allow for the fertilizer to be used to green up the turf.but Fall fertilization provides the greatest root growth.
Fall Fertilization Nutrients are used to support root growth. Plants build a reserve to help survive the cold of winter and to start out the spring season. Top growth stops in the fall when the average temperature reaches 50 o F.
Fall Fertilization Roots continue to grow until the soil reaches 32 o F. The best time to fertilize cool season grasses is between Halloween and November 15*. *Fits right in with the new regulations!
Fertilization Late spring fertilization can promote top growth. Heavy top growth helps shade out weeds when mowing height is maintained high. Remember that fertilization at this time of year does not promote root growth!
And be sure to apply it correctly
Clipping Management or GrassCycling Grass clippings contribute to healthy turf and healthy biological soil system Returning grass clippings credits the lawn with as much as one pound of nitrogen per year. It encourages a healthier lawn by returning nutrients to the soil, in a slow release form
Mow with sharp blades Mow lawn when dry Tips on Grasscycling
Mowing Turf mowed high helps to shade weeds out. Reduce weeds by 50-80% Never remove more than one third of the total plant in any mowing.
Keep Blades Sharp! Mowing Dull Mower Blade - is a very common problem in lawns. If the mower blade is dull, it will tear off the grass blade instead of giving it a clean cut. This increases the chances of disease infection and leaves a brown tinge to the lawn.
Bill 52-14 Introduced October 28, 2014 Enacted October 6, 2015 Became Effective January 19, 2016 The actual effective dates of this legislation vary.
Purpose To protect the public health and welfare To minimize the potential pesticide hazard to people and the environment To inform the public about pesticide applications and minimize the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes
Agriculture is not restricted with this legislation. Growing crops of any kind are not restricted Sod is considered a crop Gardening is not restricted
Purpose To inform the public about pesticide applications.
Remember that last statement for a few minutes!
Hold the Presses!
Complete Lawn Care et al V Montgomery County A group of citizens and local businesses took the county to court. The group had to represent individuals inside the county that were effected by the new regulation. On August 3, 2017 the judge vacated the regulation on pesticide use on gardens and turf on Private Property (the new regulation never addressed gardens) Judge McGann ruled that the county regulation was preempted by existing state pesticide regulations administered and enforced by MDA. The ban went against the states goal of uniformity in pesticide regulations.
Still in Effect The ban applies to County Property, including Montgomery Parks and Recreation lands. Agriculture is Still EXEMPT
Purpose To inform the public about pesticide applications.
Signs at Retail Establishments A person who sells at retail a pesticide or material that contains a pesticide must: Make available to a person who buys the pesticide or material that contains a pesticide: Notice signs and supporting information that are approved by the department (DEP) Materials that explain the dangers of contamination that may occur from pesticide use and Inform buyers of the availability of alternative products And Display a sign or signs in each area of the retail establishment where registered pesticides are available to consumers with language approved by the Department that:
Informs buyers of the County law on the use of registered pesticides on lawns and Identifies pest control options that are permissible for lawn application under the law. Keep informing customers about the options that exist. Grow the turf, not necessarily spray the turf.
How To Raise Good Turf? Work on soil fertility- especially the ph. Mow high, 3.0 to 3.5 (even higher can work) Decrease the amount of water soluble nitrogen this can be related to disease issues in the soil. Limited use of compost can be used.
Weeds prefer a low ph ph- often overlooked Desired species of turf prefer a more neutral ph Don t allow the soil to get extremely low and then correct, use soil testing to keep ph in the appropriate zone. Look at the many methods of raising ph.
Cultural, Organic and Chemical Weed Control
Cultural Weed Control Soil ph and Fertilizer ph 5.8-6.4 Fertilizer - 0.7 lb of soluble N/1000 sq ft/application 20% or more slow release N, 0.9lb of total N/1000 sqft in any 1 application No Nitrogen after Dec 1 Between Nov 15 Dec 1 use only soluble N 0.5 lb/1000 sqft
Cultural Weed Control Cool Season Grasses Fine fescue Turf Type Tall Fescue Kentucky bluegrass Perennial Ryegrass Warm Season Grasses Zoyzia grass Bermuda grass
Cultural Weed Control Mowing heights Tall Fescue Tall Fescue KY Bluegrass KY Bluegrass Fine Fescue Fine Fescue 3-4 summer 2 ½ - 3 winter 2 ½- 3 summer 2-2 ½ winter 2 ½ -31/2 S 3 winter Aerate compacted soils Add organic matter (40-50#) Correct drainage Grass clippings
47% of all pesticide products used in turf are herbicides Selection of the proper product is extremely important, cost, results
Pre emergent Corn Gluten Suppress annual weeds Source of nitrogen Recommended amount may exceed amount of N allowable in MD per PDF the Fertilizer Use Act of 2011 Organic Weed Control - Orland s Safe-T-Weed G Earth Harvest Gluten L Gluten-8 OLP L Concern Weed Prevention Plus 8-2- Espoma Organic Weed Preventer Green It Corn Gluten Weed Preventer Preen Organic
Organic Weed Control Soybean oil-pre-emerg suppresses crabgrass. Area can be reseeded immediately after application, Preem has no effect on monocot seeds Botanical Oil Blend- Pure Defense, botanical oil blends, for managing crabgrass 51
Organic Weed Control - Post emergent HALO Eugenol & Clove Oil Soil Mender Enhanced Vinegar RTU Herbicide - 10% vinegar, Orange Oil, molasses & natural surfactant Avenger - Citrus oil AXXE herbicidal soap Fiesta - Iron Burnout- either 20 grain vinegar or citric acid and clove oil
Organic Weed Control Acetic acid, cinnamon oil, iron chelate, potassium salts of fatty acid, citric acid and clove oil.
Flame Turns water in plant to steam which causes the cells in the plant to explode Only uses on small plants Use on patios, brick walkways Spot treat in Lawns