LANDSCAPING FOR THE SANDHILLS HOMEOWNER

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LANDSCAPING FOR THE SANDHILLS HOMEOWNER

• A GUIDE FOR THE HOMEOWNER ON A BUDGET OR A
  DO-IT-YOURSELFER

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Landscaping Design

• Develop a plot plan
• Conduct a site analysis
• Assess family needs
• Locate use areas
• Develop use areas
• Design, construct, and plant

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Best Management Practices

• Integrated Pest Management
• Soils and Fertilizers
• Soil Testing
• Lawns and the Environment
• Weed Control

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Integrated Pest Management

• Diagnose the problem
• Create a good offense
• Keep plants healthy
• Encourage natural enemies
• Monitor pests and plants
• Tolerate injury
• Reevaluate the program

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Soils and Fertilizers

• What is soil?
• Physical properties
• Structure
• Organic material
• Water holding capacity
• Improving soil
• Minimize compaction
• Drainage
• Incorporate organic material

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Soil Testing

• Why soil test?
• Accuracy of the test
• Tools and containers
• Normal test
• Problem soil test
• Technique
• Completed sample

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Lawns and the Environment

• Fertilizer facts
• Nitrogen guide for lawns
• Fertilizer rates
• Control erosion
• Watering guide
• Mowing guide
• Pest control

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Fertilizer Facts

• Nitrogen (N)
• Phosphorus (P)
• Potassium (K)
• Weight to volume ratio
• Filler
• Special products
• Protect the environment

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Nitrogen Guide for Lawns

• Bermudagrass
• May, June, July, August - 1 pound per thousand sq
  ft
• Centipedegrass
• June -1/2 pound per thousand sq ft
• St. Augustinegrass
• May, June, July, August - 1/2, 1/2, 1, 1/2 pound
  per thousand sq ft
• Zoysiagrass
• April, June, August - 1/2 pound per thousand sq
  ft
• Fall application of potassium

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Fertilizer Rates

• Typical feeding 1 pound or 1/2 pound of Nitrogen
  per thousand square feet
• In the absence of a soil test (shame on you)
• Follow the formula

• 10-10-10 10 pounds
• 1/2 5 pounds
• 15-0-14 6 pounds
• 1/2 3 pounds
• 8-0-24 12.5 pounds
• 1/2 6.25 pounds
• 1 ? N A
• Sq ft in lawn ? 1000 B
• A x B total product

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Control Erosion

• Well managed lawn
• Bare spots
• Erosion patterns
• Tilling
• Exposed soils
• Mulching

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Watering Guide

• One inch of water at one time per week
• In very dry event or very porous soil 1/2 inch of
  water each three days
• Irrigation calibration
• Dormancy
• Early morning watering
• Water slowly
• No runoff - no frequent light watering

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Mowing Guide

• Proper mowing height
• Centipedegrass 3/4 to 1 inch
• Bermudagrass 3/4 to 1 inch
• St.Augustine 2 to 3 inch
• Zoysiagrass 3/4 to 1 1/2 inch
• Fescue 3 1/2 inch
• Sharp blade
• Grass recycling

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Integrated Weed Management

• Whats a weed?
• Whats the problem?
• Weed characteristics
• IWM in turfgrass
• IWM in landscape plantings
• IWM in annual beds
• Use of mulches

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Whats a Weed

• Any plant growing where its not wanted
• A plant whose virtues have not yet been
  discovered Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Whats the Problem

• Weeds can be poisonous
• Competition with other crops
• They reduce aesthetic quality
• Displace native flora
• Affect functionality of turfgrass

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Weed Characteristics

• Reproduce at young age
• Mature quickly
• Reproduce vegetatively or sexually
• High reproductive rate
• Adaptable
• Successful
• Seed dispersal techniques
• Dormancy mechanisms

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Weed Classification

• Physical Classification
• Appearance
• Life cycle
• Summer annual
• Winter annual
• Biennial
• Perennial
• Weed Identification
• Monocots
• Dicots

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Integrated Weed Management

• A variety of approaches
• Multiple strategies
• Scouting
• Prevention
• Cultural
• Mechanical
• Biological
• Chemical

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IWM in Turf Grass

• A healthy lawn
• Cultural practices
• Fertility
• Turf grass cannot compete against weeds in sub-
  optimal conditions
• Weeds as indicators

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IWM BMP in Turf Grass

• Selection of adapted turf grass variety
• Mow at correct height
• Conduct soil test
• Apply proper rate of fertilizer at correct time
• Apply preemergence and post emergence herbicides
  at appropriate times

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IWM BMP in Landscape Plantings

• Sanitation
• Mulches and geotextile fabrics
• Cultivation
• Chemical control
• Woody shrub and tree beds
• Woody ground covers
• Annual flower beds
• Good habits

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Chemical Weed Control

• Herbicide classification
• Time of application
• Factors affecting efficacy
• Herbicide injury
• Resources

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In Summary

• Whats a weed?
• What do you do about it?
• Why?