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)