1. Board of Pesticides Control
Best Management Practices for Application of Turf Pesticides & Fertilizers and YardScaping
Gary Fish
Board of Pesticides Control

2. Why BMPs
Inappropriate application practices discovered after heavy spring rains of 2005
Water sampling results from USGS and FOCB
The Board continues to receive complaints about applications when weather forecasts are for heavy rains

3. USGS National Water Quality Assessment – 2006 Report
Insecticides occurred as frequently in urban streams as they did in agricultural streams
Herbicides detected in 99% of Urban stream samples

4. USGS National Water Quality Assessment – 2006 Report
Phosphorous found in urban streams at similar levels as in agricultural streams
70% of those samples exceeded the EPA level for causing excessive algal growth

5. Aquatic Life Benchmarks
Pesticides are present throughout most of the year in streams draining watersheds with substantial urban areas, but are less common in ground water
Concentrations of pesticides were greater than water-quality benchmarks for aquatic life and (or) fish-eating wildlife in more than half of the streams with substantial urban areas in their watersheds

6. Friends of Casco Bay Sampling
Pesticide residues detected in surface water in Maine
Diazinon up to (2.6 ppb)**
2,4-D up to (36.4 ppb)
Dicamba up to (4.1 ppb)
MCPP up to (26 ppb)
MCPA up to (0.45 ppb)
Clopyralid up to (0.91 ppb)
Propiconazole up to (0.075 ppb)
Chlorothalonil up to (0.22 ppb)
Found Excess Nitrogen & Phosphorous in most samples
Pesticide residues detected in sediments
Bifenthrin up to (37 ppb)
Permethrin up to (47 ppb)
**Values in red exceed Aquatic Life Criteria

7. BMP web page

8. The BMPs Site Assessment Informed Product Choice Operating Standards
Initial site visit
Turf assessment prior to treatment
Thorough periodic assessments
Informed Product Choice
Pesticides
Fertilizers
Operating Standards
Prior to application
Application
Customer/Neighbor Relations
Notification
Customer education

9. Site Assessment Initial site visit Customer expectations Pest problems
Site plan and measure
Soil characteristics
Slope and runoff
Soil test
Sensitive areas
Grass species
Intensity of use
Sun exposure
Record assessment

10. Site Assessment Turf assessment prior to treatment Soil conditions
Compacted, eroded, frozen, shallow, saturated, exposed bedrock or ledge?
Pest problems
Turf health
Watering
Frequency
Intensity

11. Site Assessment Thorough periodic assessment Annually
Reassess the initial site visit criteria
Customer expectations and desire for service (This is now required)
Review management records
Every 3 – 5 years
Soil test
Consider monitoring ground water for nitrates at golf courses or sod farms or other intensively managed areas

12. Informed Product Choice
Pesticides
Read labels & MSDSs
Choose least toxic, least persistent, lowest exposure
Use the WIN-PST criteria
Check bee warnings
Choose selective products
Do spot treatments
Choose low drift and low volatility products
Weed & Feed

13. WIN-PST

14. Select slow release fertilizers
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Total Nitrogen (N)...… ….8.00%       1.0 % Water Soluble Nitrogen       7.5 % Water Insoluble Nitrogen Available Phosphate (P205) ….1.0 % Soluble Potash (K20) …1.0 % Derived from corn gluten, steamed bone meal & sulfate of potash
NON PLANT FOOD INGREDIENTS Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus pumulis, Bacillus megaterium, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Paenibacillus durum 275,000 CFU per gram of finished product
Look for Water Insoluble Nitrogen (WIN)

15. Informed Product Choice
Fertilizers
Choose slow- or timed-release N (WIN – Water insoluble nitrogen)
Apply at 1 pound/1000 square feet or less
Avoid ammonium nitrate or sulfate and calcium nitrate
Do not apply quick release N above ½ pound/1000 sq. ft.
Use P-Free fertilizer unless soil test indicates need or when establishing seed

16. Operating Standards Prior to application Check site for people & pets
Sensitive individuals nearby
Toys, sandboxes, pet dishes present?
Open windows?
24-hour weather forecast
Record current conditions
Calibrate equipment frequently

17. Operating Standards Application
Base applications on soil characteristics
Never apply when there is standing water
Never apply to saturated soils
Never apply to frozen ground
Never apply when temperature exceeds 85°F
Follow label temperature requirements

18. Operating Standards Application – continued
Never apply until soil warms to °F at 3” soil depth
Never apply between December 1 and April 1 (unless fungicide for snow mold)
Consider forecasted rains
Avoid application when wind is below 3 mph or above 10 mph
Do not apply pesticides if rain or irrigation is imminent, unless specified by label
Do not apply if moderate or heavy rain is imminent regardless of label statements
Never apply to impervious surfaces

19. Operating Standards Application – continued
Never apply near areas prone to runoff, i.e., culverts, drains, drainageways or wells
Never apply to bare ground unless establishing seed
Cover seed to prevent erosion
Clean up spills immediately
Never leave materials on impervious surfaces
Lightly water-in fertilizers
When the label directs, assure that pesticides are watered in as directed

20. Operating Standards Application – continued
Fill spreader on hard surface
Use a drop spreader near sensitive areas
Leave a 25-foot buffer of untreated vegetation near water bodies
Manage pests with spot applications

21. Customer/Neighbor Relations
Notification
Remind customer annually about right to request labels and SDSs
When requested, always provide labels and/or SDSs
When requested always notify customers and/or neighbors at least 24 hours prior to applications
After application inform customers/neighbors about treatments
Need for watering
Re-entry period

22. Customer/Neighbor Relations
Customer Education
Customers must know when their expectations are too high and should know the limitations like:
Soil depth & texture
Soil pH and nutrient imbalances
Grass species limitations
Proper mowing & watering
Soil compaction & thatch depth
Need for buffers around wells, water, etc.
Low risk control options
Slow-release & P-Free fertilizer options

23. 25-foot buffer zone required next to waters and wetlands
Applies to all terrestrial “Broadcast” applications
Except stinging insect and arthropod vector control, and
Man-made Ag wetlands, e.g., Cranberry bog areas
Variances may be granted if the Board approves and protections are reasonably equivalent

24. Regional Lawn Nutrient Recommendations–U-Conn/Cornell
Nitrogen Standards
If the existing lawn is acceptable, no need for fertilizer
Do not apply before spring green-up and no later than September 15th (NNE) or October 15th (SNE)
Apply no more than 1/2 to 1/3 of a pound of nitrogen in any 1 application
Slow release formulations are preferable
When a soil test indicates adequate P or K, use N only
On lawns that are 10 years or older apply a maximum of 2 lbs N/1000 per season
Newer lawns may require 3 lbs N/1000 per season

25. Regional Lawn Nutrient Recommendations - continued
When seeding a new lawn amend the soil to get organic matter up to 3% to 5%
Mow high (3 inches) and return clippings
Choose tall or fine fescues because they require less nutrients and water – Avoid KBG
Maintain soil pH levels between 5.5 and 6.5
Consider introduction of white clover or other low growing legumes to provide natural nitrogen
Start testing soil for nitrates and base application rates on need (this is experimental right now)
Avoid using combination fertilizer and pesticide products

26. Regional Lawn Nutrient Recommendations - continued
Phosphorus Standards
If the existing lawn is acceptable, no need for fertilizer
Soil test for P – do not guess
Frank Rossi at Cornell says P is only needed on the poorest of soils
Avoid P fertilizers on bare ground or low density lawns, unless seeding
Use P-free next to water unless soil test shows very low phosphorus

27. Regional Lawn Nutrient Recommendations - continued
Avoid application of P prior to heavy or moderate rains
Maintain pH between 5.5 and 6.5
Never apply to saturated or frozen ground
Soil test annually for P if using organic fertilizer or composts
Avoid combination fertilizer and pesticide products

28. YardScaping… for a healthy Maine
Gary Fish, Coordinator Maine YardScaping Partnership (207)

29. The Partnership is very diverse!

30. YardScaping A new paradigm?
Some call it “Sustainable Landscaping” or “Ecological Landscaping”
We want to keep it simple

31. YardScaping Mission To inspire Maine people to
create and maintain healthy landscapes
through ecologically based practices that
minimize reliance on water, fertilizer and pesticides

32. The Ten-ets of YardScaping
Promote buffers
Promote appropriate plants - native plants and non-invasive alien plants
Reduce lawn area
Reduce runoff
Reduce reliance on pesticides, fertilizers and water
Promote low input lawns and landscapes
Promote YardScape diversity
Create wildlife habitats
Right plant, right place, right use
Commonsense pest management (IPM)

33. Use site appropriate, non-invasive plants
Native plants are often well adapted
Fewer problems, less work, more rewards, but not all are problem free, e.g., viburnums
Invasive plants are easy to grow but crowd out native vegetation
Our local forest habitats are changing rapidly
Invasive plants can ruin wildlife habitat
Beautiful Native Shadbush
Problematic Native Viburnum
Deadly Invasive Oriental Bittersweet

34. Right plant, right place, right purpose
Choose plants based on the area to be planted not just for their color
Select plants that thrive under existing conditions rather than trying to alter the conditions to meet the needs of a plant
Minimize disturbance of the existing landscape
Wild Cranberry Bog

35. Right plant, right place
Beach plum – dry sunny site
Partridgeberry – wet shady site
Staghorn Sumac – large open dry bank

36. Use a diversity of plants & grasses
Monocultures lead to disasters
Diversity leads to less noticeable damage from pests and disease
Incorporate many layers of plant types
Trees
Shrubs
Ground covers
Perennials, and
Lawns

37. Create wildlife habitats
Diversity and plant layers go hand in hand with habitat creation
Add nectar and fruit producing plants
Strive for continuous blooms
Add water, walls, feeders, woody debris

38. One hour on riding mower = 400 miles
Reduce lawn area
Mower exhaust = 11 small cars’ exhaust
Reduces
Water & air pollution
Water usage
Maintenance
Costs
Gives
More free time
One hour on riding mower = 400 miles

39. Use low input plant varieties
Fine fescue or tall fescue instead of Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass
Pagoda dogwood vs flowering cherry
River birch vs paper birch
Tall fescue
Fine fescue

40. Protect lakes & streams with buffers
Preserve existing landscape
Winding paths
Don’t mow to lake’s edge
Leave the duff

41. Reduce runoff Reduce amount of pervious (hard) surfaces
Create rain gardens or install rain barrels
Direct water into vegetated areas
Porous pavement

42. Reduce reliance on pesticides, fertilizers and water
Grow plants that are resistant to insects & diseases
Use plants that tolerate low fertility
Use drought resistant plants
White Fir
Sweet Fern

43. Use common sense pest management
Integrated pest management
Know your pest
Pick it, trap it or exclude it
Know the good bugs
Mow, prune or water
Use pesticides as last resort

44. (BASIC STRATEGY - dense, tall turf tends to reduce weed invasion)
Weed Control Approach
(BASIC STRATEGY - dense, tall turf tends to reduce weed invasion)
Seed is the best weed control!
Mow high, 3 inches MINIMUM
Promote root growth – fertilize in early fall
Reduce wear and compaction - encourage foot traffic away from turf; core aerify twice per year and overseed at same time
Overseed or slit-seed open areas ASAP!
Spot treatment with herbicides only when necessary.

45. Are there alternatives?
Corn gluten meal has demonstrated pre-emergent herbicide activity
Rather expensive and a weak herbicide
Most action - nutrient value from meal breakdown - added fertility thickens turf and reduces weed germination
Weed flamers and spikes “Punto”
Hot water foam and steamers
Mostly used in cities where herbicides have been banned
Punto

47. Choose the right grass varieties for Maine

48. Insect tolerance Some Some Excellent Good
Disease tolerance Some Some Good Good

49. Plant or over-seed with low maintenance grass types
YardScaping Mix
40% Endophyte Enhanced Creeping Red Fescue
10% Southport Chewings Fescue
30% Endophyte Enhanced Perennial Ryegrass
20% Kenblue KBG
Fine Fescues %
Creeping Red
Hard
Chewings
Tall Fescue
Common Kentucky Bluegrass
Endophyte enhanced perennial rye or fescues
Plant grass seed in late summer/early fall
Avoid sod

50. Low Maintenance Lawn Benefits – 2000 CMHC study of 30 residences
Residents with low- maintenance lawns spent
50 per cent less time,
85 per cent less money, and
used
50 per cent less fuel,
85 per cent less fertilizer,
100 per cent less water and
100 per cent less pesticides per year

52. Sustainable plant selection

53. Where to learn more

54. YardScaping booklet that you can download

55. Where to learn more

56. YardScaping… For a healthy Maine