Presented by Dr. Teri Hamlin Georgia Department of Education Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office July 2001 Landscape Management Practices.

Presented by

Dr. Teri Hamlin

Georgia Department of EducationGeorgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office

July 2001

LandscapeManagement Practices

Mulching, Watering, Staking, Fertilization, Weed Control

MulchA tree’s best friend

• Insulates soil

• Retains moisture

• Keeps weeds out

• Prevents soil compaction

• Reduces lawn mower / weedeater damage

• Adds an aesthetic touch

Mulch

Mulch• Max depth of 2-4”

• Do not touch the trunk

• Mulch too deep can lead to – trunk & crown rot – poor root ball aeration

Type of Mulch

• Bark

• Pine Straw

• Grass Clippings

• Leaves

• Rock

• Synthetic Materials

Ground Cloth under Mulch ???

IrrigationHow much ? How often?

• During establishment– Minimum of 1” of water per week

• Water between 9 p.m. - 9 a.m.

Types of Irrigation

• Sprinkler

• Micro Sprinkler

• Drip Irrigation

Drip IrrigationUses 30-50% less water

Efficient and effective application

Fewer pest problems

Fewer weeds

No wind effects

Easily automated

Economic to install

Drip Irrigation

Time Clock

XeriscapeWater Management Practices

Staking

• Good - quality trees do not require staking

• When to stake:– Windy Location– Top Heavy– Plants 8’ or taller– Weak Trunks– Small Root Ball– Evergreens

Types of Staking

• Support weak trunk

Root ball anchorage

Staking

Staking

• Rubber straps are nicely suited for attaching stakes to trunks

• Wire threaded through hose can girdle plant if left to long

• Never leave a plant staked for more than one growing season

Trunk Protection• Little protection against insect & disease• Some sun scald protection for thin bark plants • Uneven wraps w/exposed bark = temp difference in

trunk tissue

• Products :– Paper Wrap– Burlap– Plastic– White Latex Paint

Trunk Wraps

• If used, wrap from the bottom of the tree toward the top overlapping material

• Use electrical tape or flexible adhesive versus string

Fertilizer

• Nitrogen

• Phosphorus

• Potassium

Landscape plants needs should be based on

Soil Sample

Forms of Slow-release Nitrogen

Ammoniacal nitrogen

IBDU (Isobutylene diurea)

Sulfur-coated urea

Ureaformaldehyde

General Recommendation

Types of Fertilizer

• Sources:– Inorganic– Organic

• Formation:– Dry / Granular– Liquid– Slow-release

How to Apply Fertilizer

Fertilizer Burn

When to Fertilize

• Main Meal – Slow Release ( 1 time per year)– General Purpose (2-3 x per growing season)

• Dessert– During active growth (Spring-Summer)– Liquid

• Soil drench

• Foliage Spray

Weed Management• Mechanical

• Chemical– Pre-emergent Herbicide

• Surflan, Treflan, Ronstar, Balan

– Post-emergent Herbicide• Selective

– Kills grasses in shrubs & flowers (Poast)

– Kills broadleaf weeds in lawns (MSMA, Trimec)

• Non-Selective (Round up)