Water, Fertilizer and the Environment

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Southwest Florida Water Management District - SFWMD - is determined to reduce a 1 lb of N and destroy the filter plant that prevents 10 lbs of surface runoff . Once a week watering and fertilizer black outs will weaken the turf grass community making it vulnerable to pests and drought. Once the turf grass community has been reduced to thin and weak stands of weeds, mixed with desirable species along with open barren areas - you can expect higher pollution from dust and pollen, hotter ambient temperatures and soil erosion. None of which is good for the environment!

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In the Queue: Shrub Fertilization

Winter 2010, by Rick Orr

Time to fertilize ShrubsTime to fertilize ShrubsSpring is the optimum season for fertilizing shrubs. As soil temperature rise, so do the processes (biological and physical) that provide the necessary nutrients to the plant. But as this process begins with a flush rapid expansion of soil microbes, nutrients are actually depleted by being monopolized by the microbes. In other words, the microbes get all the good stuff and the plant is stuck waiting for the nutrients to free up so they can get their share.

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Weeds and Weather

Winter 2010, by Rick Orr

Frost Damage on St Augustine LawnFrost Damage on St Augustine LawnThe run of 15+ years of mild winter temperatures in Pinellas County was broken this year with colder than normal temperature that damaged turf. The damage was to the turf grass leaf, destroying the canopy.

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Best Crab Grass Control: Remove and Replace

Winter 2010, by Rick Orr

Crab Grass in St Augustine LawnCrab Grass in St Augustine LawnCrab grass is persistent, aggressive and there is no effective control. For years there were some very effective herbicides but they are now ineffective because application rates have been cut in half by regulations.

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Southwest Florida Water Management District Receives an F for Skip a Week of Irrigation

Winter 2010, by Rick Orr
Southwest Florida Management District (SFWMD) Skip a Week of Irrigation promotion received an “F” because the non-elected government policy making board, SFWMD, deceived the public with the skip a week of irrigation public service announcement.
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