Landscape

Management Practices
Mulching, Watering, Staking, Fertilization, Weed Control

Presented by Dr. Teri Hamlin Georgia Department of Education

Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office July 2001

Mulch
A trees 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 ???

Irrigation
How 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 Irrigation
Uses 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

Xeriscape
Water 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)