Sally Scalera
| For FLORIDA TODAY
Many, if not most, Brevard County residents love it here because of all the water that surrounds us. We have the St. Johns River, Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River, and the Banana River.
Here are some of our gardening practices that can adversely affect these water bodies and the environment in general, so read to the end to discover another way to care for your yard.
Fertilizing without testing the soil first: Soil testing is the first step in determining the best fertilizer to use, based on the levels of nutrients already in the soil. The soil test, which costs $10, measures the levels of extractable phosphorus, potassium, copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and boron. Basing the fertilizer analysis on the test results is best because some nutrients may already be at a high level. A PDF of the soil testing form can be found at this website: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/SS/SS18700.pdf.
Applying a synthetic fertilizer and not watering it in lightly immediately after: The 50% nitrogen that is quick release needs to be watered in lightly so that it dissolves and is carried down to the roots to be absorbed. When the fertilizer is applied and not watered in, some of the nitrogen can volatilize. If the fertilizer is watered in by heavy irrigation or rainfall, the nitrogen will be carried down past the roots, eventually ending up in either the Indian River Lagoon or the St. Johns River.
Allowing fertilizer to stay on roads, sidewalks, etc.: Applying fertilizers with a broadcast spreader, without activating the shield, can fling fertilizer granules onto paved surfaces. If left there, the granules could be carried away by heavy rain into storm drains, which lead to the watershed’s basin. The nitrogen and phosphorus in the fertilizer, once they reach the nearest water body, can cause algal blooms, resulting in a fish kill. If fertilizer ends up on concrete, sweep it back into the grass.
Applying pesticides and fertilizers within at least 10 feet (and some municipalities require a wider distance) of a water body:Make a “maintenance-free zone” along any body of water, including ponds. Don’t fertilize, apply pesticides, or mow the area. To find out if your area requires a wider maintenance-free zone, check out this website: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/brevard/lawn-and-garden/fertilizer-ordinances/.
Applying fertilizers or pesticides before a rainstorm: The term pesticide is a general term that includes insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, etc. None of these products should be applied if rain is in the forecast, as they can be carried in stormwater runoff or leach through the soil and end up in the watershed’s basin.
Applying harsh insecticides instead of less toxic ones: The majority of our insect pests, such as aphids, whiteflies, scale, and mealy bugs, can all be controlled with an insecticidal soap or ultra-fine horticultural oil. A benefit of spraying soap or oil is that once the product dries, beneficial insects won’t be harmed if they land on the foliage. It’s important to recognize that insect pests will only attack a plant that isn’t healthy, and the use of an insecticide and/or fungicide is only a Band-Aid, not a cure.
When using an insecticidal soap or an ultra-fine horticultural oil spray, make sure that the plant has been watered thoroughly, at least a few hours before spraying. Also, spray the soap or oil either early in the morning or late in the day when the temperatures aren’t high. Good coverage of the entire plant, especially the undersides of the leaves, is needed for good control of insect pests.
Using pesticides? Hold on: Ask these questions first
Applying pesticides when they’re not needed: Quite often, people spray insecticides just because they see bugs. The two most important things to determine are whether the bug is a pest and whether it is causing enough damage to warrant spraying. The worst reason to spray a pesticide is based on the calendar. Spraying an entire yard monthly will put a large amount of pesticide into the environment, even though there isn’t an actual problem occurring that requires control.
There are many beneficial insects that help to keep the pests under control, and the use of an insecticide will also kill them. Spraying insect pests on affected plants on an as-needed basis, when the pest is causing significant damage, instead of calendar spraying, can reduce the amount of chemicals used by up to 94%. Plus, think of all the beneficial insects that will be saved!
Applying pesticides where they’re not needed: If one or two shrubs become infested with insects, just spot-treat the infested plant(s) and not the entire mass planting. For a chinch bug issue in your lawn, spray a 3- to 4-foot border around the dead spot, and that’s all. This not only reduces the amount of pesticides applied but also protects beneficial insects in the surrounding areas.
Now, for another way to care for your yard and protect the IRL and the St. Johns River, choose the goal of improving the soil health throughout your yard. The USDA’s definition of soil health is “Healthy soil is the foundation for a productive garden. It is a living natural resource that is teeming with billions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes. Together, these elements create an ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.”
Reestablishing the soil food web will put the plants back in control so they can obtain the nutrients they need, with the help of the microbes, increase the organic matter, create soil structure, and protect water quality. For more information on improving soil health, email the UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County Master Gardeners at brevard-mg1@ifas.ufl.edu.
Everyone living in Brevard County is in a watershed that flows into either the St. Johns River or the Indian River Lagoon. By improving soil health, everyone can do their part to protect water quality and the environment. Just imagine a healthier yard, with less effort from you, that also protects water quality!
Sally Scalera is an urban horticulture agent and master gardener coordinator for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agriculture Science.