Orange County Fertilizer Application Education Course for Citizens

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Amy Willis
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1 Orange County Fertilizer Application Education Course for Citizens

2 Purpose & Intent In 2009 Orange County took a proactive stand on protecting our lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater by approving a Fertilizer ordinance. This ordinance was designed to minimize the practice of over-fertilizing, improper application timing and methods. The key factors in the new ordinance include: -Restriction on the type and amount of fertilizers allowed -Restriction on time of year when applications are allowed* -Restriction of where fertilizers can be applied Each of these restriction are designed to keep the fertilizers on the lawn and out of our surface waters. * Only individuals that complete this online educational course and the linked quiz may apply fertilizers during the rainy season restriction period.

The key factors in the new ordinance include: -Restriction on the type and amount of fertilizers allowed -Restriction on time of year when applications are allowed* -Restriction of

3 Course Goals Upon completion of this online course, you will know how to fertilize responsibly. This class will teach you how to: Properly Read a Fertilizer Label Correctly Choose, Calibrate and Use a Fertilizer Spreader Identify Fertilizer Free Zones Implement Fertilizer Best Management Practices (BMPs) Implement Lawn Care Do s and Don'ts

This class will teach you how to: Properly Read a Fertilizer Label Correctly Choose,

4 Course Goals Properly Read a Fertilizer Label

5 Properly Read a Fertilizer Label There are three important numbers on a label: The 1 st number is for Nitrogen (N) The 2 nd number is for Phosphorus (P) The 3 rd number is for Potassium (K)

6 Properly Read a Fertilizer Label Phosphorus Application: Most Florida soils have adequate amounts of phosphorus and the need to add more may be unnecessary. Use a phosphorus free fertilizer. The middle number on the label should read zero (0). A simple test can determine if your soil need phosphorus. Contact the Orange County Agricultural Extension Office for testing information. (407)

The middle number on the label should read zero (0).

7 Properly Read a Fertilizer Label Nitrogen is a nutrient required by all plants in order to grow. The new Fertilizer Ordinance requires the use of a product with at least 50% slow-release nitrogen. Warning! Not all labels are the same, please ask the sales associate to show you the products available that meet this new requirement.

The new Fertilizer Ordinance requires the use of a product with at least 50%

8 Properly Read a Fertilizer Label Nitrogen Application No more than 1 pound of nitrogen (N) can be applied per 1000 sq. feet at any one application. Example: A 50 lb. bag labeled would have 5 lbs of Nitrogen (bag weight x label percentage). Thus, if the max is 1lb-N per 1000 sq. feet of lawn, this same 50lb bag would treat a 5000 sq. foot lawn. Treating a smaller lawn with the entire bag would be a violation of the County regulation. 1 lb of N MAX 1000 sq. feet of yard

bag labeled 10-0-6 would have 5 lbs of Nitrogen (bag weight x label percentage). Thus, if the max is 1lb-N per 1000 sq.

9 Properly Read a Fertilizer Label 1 st : How big is your lawn? Determine this by pacing off (or measure) the length times the width of the area you want to fertilize. (Tip: 1 pace = ~ 3 feet) 2 nd : Calculate your Area: To calculate the area multiply the length by the width measured, this will give you the sq. feet to be fertilized. 3 rd : Check the Label: The label will tell you how much area the bag will cover and what setting to adjust your particular spreader.

(Tip: 1 pace = ~ 3 feet) 2 nd : Calculate your Area: To calculate the area multiply the length by the width

10 Course Goals Correctly Choose, Calibrate and Use a Fertilizer Spreader

Correctly Choose, Calibrate and Use a Fertilizer Spreader Broadcast spreaders must be equipped with a deflector shield positioned so that it keeps the product on the turf areas and off impervious

11 Correctly Choose, Calibrate and Use a Fertilizer Spreader Broadcast spreaders must be equipped with a deflector shield positioned so that it keeps the product on the turf areas and off impervious surfaces. Each spreader will have a dial or lever that sets the spreaders application rate. Adjust the spreader according to manufacturer directions and label recommendations. Broadcast Spreader Deflector Shield

surfaces. Each spreader will have a dial or lever that sets the spreaders application rate.

12 Correctly Choose, Calibrate and Use a Fertilizer Spreader Know the spread pattern of your spreader Each pass should barely overlap the previous pass: Avoid patterns too close (large overlap) Avoid patterns too far apart (no overlap) Minimum Overlap Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 3

previous pass: Avoid patterns too close (large overlap) Avoid

13 Course Goals Identify Fertilizer Free Zones

14 Identify Fertilizer Free Zones Fertilizer MAY NOT be applied within 10 Feet of any lake, pond, stream, canal, or wetland. 10 fertilzer free zone

15 Identify Fertilizer Free Zones To reduce fertilizers washing into our lakes and rivers, do not apply ( over-spray ) them to impervious surfaces such as: Concrete Areas Sidewalks Driveways Streets Storm Drains

16 Course Goals Implement Fertilizer Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Implement Fertilizer Best Management Practices (BMP s) Know the weather forecast before you decide to fertilize! The rainy season is June 1 st thru September 30 th.

17 Implement Fertilizer Best Management Practices (BMP s) Know the weather forecast before you decide to fertilize! The rainy season is June 1 st thru September 30 th. Plan your treatments carefully. Do not apply if rain expected. Don t fertilize before a heavy rain event, tropical storm, or hurricane because fertilizer will wash into the street and storm drains.

Plan your treatments carefully. Do not apply if rain expected.

18 Course Goals Implement Lawn Care Do s and Don ts.

Remove grass clippings and any fertilizer from sidewalks, roads, or driveway back on to your

19 Lawn Care Do s Use a 50% slow release Nitrogen fertilizer and Zero Phosphorus fertilizer. Maintain a 10 foot fertilizer free zone near water bodies. Remove grass clippings and any fertilizer from sidewalks, roads, or driveway back on to your yard. Use a broadcast spreader with a deflector shield. Blow debris BACK onto yard or median, NOT in curb inlets Direct clippings AWAY from street

20 Lawn Care Don ts Don t blow grass clippings too into lakes, streams, roads or storm drains. Don t fertilize within 10 ft. of a lakes or streams Don t leave fertilizer overspray on roads, sidewalks, driveways, etc. Don t apply when rain is expected Don t over fertilizer

of a lakes or streams Don t leave fertilizer overspray on roads,

21 Orange County Fertilizer Application Quiz go here

MATH 110 Landscape Horticulture Worksheet #5

MATH 110 Landscape Horticulture Worksheet #5 Ratios and Percentages All fertilizers have three numbers on the label, which indicate the fertilizer analysis, or "percentage by weight" of nitrogen, phosphate